THE BLACKBALL STRIKE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 70, 21 March 1908, Page 4

THE BLACKBALL STRIKE.

CBy Telegraph.—Press .Association.) GREYMuUTE, FEIDAY. The miners held a meeting ct Black ball this afternoon, but nothing of a definite nature was done. Mr. Fitzgerald .attended the meeting, and addreseed tae men, advising them not on any account to give way. A representative of the "Argus" inters viewed the manager in reference. to a paragraph appearing in the evening «c paper as follows: "There seems to be some possibility of an early settlement of the dispute, as the company has offered, one- of the men now on strike informs us, in addition to the offers made after the close of the sitting of the Arbitration Court, to donate half of the £75 fine iaflicted on the union." The manager gives the statement that the company have offered to pay half the fine an emphatic denial. The company is prepared to take the dismissed men back, and allow 20 minutes crib-time. Further than this they will not go. The union will hold a meeting on Monday morning, at 10 o'clock, and until then there can be no change in the posh' tion. "CBIB TIME" EXPLAINED. . \- CKRISTCHUR.CH, .Mr. T>. K. Pritchard (representative of the Blackball miners) addressed a meeting of the Christchurch Socialists party and others interested on the Blackball Strike. After remarks dealing with the Christchurch newspapers Mr. Pritchard said it was evident that a great deal of misconception existed as to what "crib time" really was. It ; wa3 only the time the men had in which to take their meals between their early breakfast and evening dinner. By the time a message announcing "crib tune" had reached them, perhaps a mile from the pit mouth, and they had made preparation, some portion of the interval had elapsed, and before they had time to swallow a few mouthsful the trucks were running again. Mr. Pritchard then dealt with complaints as to the ventilation in the Blackball mine. Hβ said that complaints had been made six weeks before the strike, and the Inspector investigated it at a time when ao miner? could guide him. He had. gone down with the manager. . ,

The meeting passed a resolution expressing admiration of the attitude taken up by the miners, and pledging itself to do itrs utmost to assist them.