The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1913. PEACEFUL PICKETING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 86, 11 December 1913, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1913. PEACEFUL PICKETING.

The Police Offences Vsi'! passed In tlio Legislative Council last week. strengthens the law considerably in the protection of persons who m:iv be proceeding, about their 'awi'ai business at any time. Tin- clause that was mainly productive of debate ;.- that intended to deal with cases which sometimes occur when feeling is strongly aroused at a time < f indus--1 rial trouble, but, as the "Otago Da'ly Times" points out, this clause did not have its origin in the events of the present strike, since the Bill was brought down early in the sesion ; but recent occurrences have tended to accentuate their necessity. The objection raised agains\ the Bill by 31 r Paul and others in the Legislative Council was that it will, in their opiniiii, prevent what is known as "peace-i ful picketing." This contention is based on the clause which declares! that every person is guilty of an j offence who, with a view to compel any person to abstain from doing; or

t*i do any act which siicli othej person Jims a legal right to do or oh stain from doing, wrongfully and with, out legal authority watches or beset* the house or other place where suci other person resides, or works, or car. lies on business or happens to lie, oj the approach to such house or place. Iln practice the process of peaceful pick. |eting has undoubtedly been sometimes grossly abused, and it is eery necessary that the law should he able to seep in when it becomes a mere cloak tor tactics of coercion or intimidation.