THE BLACKBALL STRIKE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 72, 24 March 1908, Page 5

THE BLACKBALL STRIKE.

-MDfEBS REFUSE TO PAY JTNBS. STOREKEEPERS STOP . CREDIT. STRIKE PAY DISTKIBTITED. CBy Telesrapt.—-Press Assoclitlon.) . .: GKEYHOTJTH, Monday. A meeting of the "Blackball Miners' Union was heid this morning at Blackball, when an extraordinary resolution was carried, not to pay the £75 imposed tie Arbitration Court, and to completely ignore the whole, matter. It was iurther decided not to go to work until half in hour was allowed. • The meeting was determined not to give way, and to fight the position to the end. Very-severe-remarks were-made on tlie Arbitration -Court, and-as a protest, which will be felt, the miners.decided -to set it' at .defiance. --The -time fixed by -the Government for the payment of the fine was up to-day, and it will be interesting to. see what action the -Government will take. It is stated that Hickey has not paid' the fine.imposed on him-some weela ago by the magistrate, in connection with disobedience at the Blackball urine. The Brunner Workers' Union has donated £21 out of its funds., -and will £30 a week until the trouble is settled. Some of the married men are ""getting work at Paparoa and "jSJgahere -railway- works. . The Brunner Union passed the following resolution: "That the Hxra. J. "A. Minister for Labour, be informed that this union has-no-confidence an the constitution of the Arbitra.-tion .Court, and strongly urges him to pass legislation to amend the same." The action of the miners to-day in refusing to pay the fine .removes all hopes of an early settlement. Business people in town .state that they can feel the effects of the strike at Blackball, and they are not willing to send goods on credit. The Blackball storekeepers have already stopped credit. -The miners have received the first strike pay, £1 being distributed to each man. ■ WATTTT UNION'S ASSISTANCE. WATHT, this day. The "Wajhi .-Miners' Union have forwarded £20 to Blackball to assist the miners on strike, and a special meeting will be held-on Saturday night to "consider whether further assistance shall be granted. "A" KEASOI7AELE DESdAKD." I (By Telegraph.—Press Aaeoclatkitu " WELLINGTON, : &<x&ip. The Wellington Trades . and -Labour Council discussed, the Blackball rtroubte-to-night, and a resolution -was 'passed stating that the demand for half an' hour's crib-time was jost and Teasonalde. It was also resolved, "That the Council recognises that according to the decision of Mr. Justice Sim, the employers bare the right, under the "law, to discriminate against unionists, and that tintir the law is amended so as to render'adequate protection to. the workers the unionists' cannot" do otherwise them-' • selves." The sum of £4 was: collected in the • room, and it was decided to circularise , the unions for monetary assistance. rJVVERGAPJGfILL, Monday. At the annual rjtneeting "of -tlie "Southland Trades and Labour "Council thfc Blackball strike was-discussed, but no action was taken, the general opinion expressed being that the Arbitration Act must be preserved and upheld. WESTPORT, this day. • . The Westport Labour Union has not yet taken any definite action respecting assistance to the Blackball miners. At a special meeting of the Granifcy Miners* Union the question of appointing an organising secretary for tie coast was discussed, and it was resolved to have one appointed. On the question of assistance to the Blackball ers no immediate action was taken, although the question of assistance to wives -and families was recognised. The principle of conciliation aad arbitration was upheld.