THE BLACKBALL STRIKE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 66, 17 March 1908, Page 5

THE BLACKBALL STRIKE.

• ■ (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) GREYMOUTH, Monday. The State coaA miaers are detemmied not to take part in the troablcj, cod express themselves very much against the attitude of the Blackball men. AS Tyneside the men blame the agitators for" the trouble. It is that the member for the district will visit 'Blackball to day to talk the matter over with the miners, with a view to a settlement. The mine manager has forwarded the following telegrams to the " Argus " for publication, stating that they have been held back, as it was thought that the men would return to work" to-day; but since they have not, he is compelled to give them publicity:— " Blackball Coal Company, ChristchuTeh.—lt is imperative that you find Mr. MeCullough, of the Arbitration Court, and ask him if he informed the miners that the manager would make a public statement in Court after the verdict had been read not to victimise the men. The men ask his reason for giving information. The manager gave his word of honour, but no public statement was promised or mentioned at the conference on Thursday afternoon.—James Leitch, Blackball." The following reply was received: —" Mr. MeCullough denies having informed the miners that you would make a statement in Court. He has wired the Union stating that hi,, recollection of the conference is that you, having already made a promise in such a public manner, a statement by you in Court was agreed to be waived.—McKellar."