A PECULIAR MOVE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 272, 24 April 1914, Page 6

A PECULIAR MOVE

OR, XEGLMCT TO MOVb

By Telegrapli—Press Association. Wellington, Wednesday. A further interesting position Ins arisen regarding tho prosecution on no 1 prosecution of the various unions registei'ed under the Arbitration Act which went out on strike in November last at the call of the Federation of Labour. It will 6c remembered that prior to the precipitation of waterside conflict the Huntl.T miners, who wero working under an award, ceased to work, th,<late upon which they struck being Oc tober 28. Under the Amending Act of 1908, it ia provided that bo proceedings «an be taken from the recovery of an', penalty under that Act save within six months "from when the cause of action has arisen." A» the six months in which to take proceedings against the lluntly miners expired on Monday last, April 20, and the Labour Department had not taken action ■before then, the right of the Department fn proceed lias accord, ingly lapsed, and the lluntly miner> have escaped the legal penalty. In view of the fact that a large mrm ber of Arbitration <Unions .struck in sympathy with the Wellington watorsidera, the question now arises as to whether tho Department, in view of its inaction, can consistently prosecute I-m remaining unions which transgressed II)tStatute? Tho first of these unions struck on 3rd November, and the la-:t on tho 24th. and the right to proceed will therefore lapse .six months from those dates.