BLACKBALL STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 139, 6 March 1908, Page 7

BLACKBALL STRIKE.

THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION, LAW TO TAKE ITS COURSE, PROCEEDINGS INSTITUTED, ARBITRATION COURT TO SIT, ' Tlio Government yesterday received a report from Mr. J. Lomas, of the Labour Department, who was sent to Blackball to make inquiries. Mr. Lomas 'rpportpd that the strike was in consequpnpo of a resolution of tlio Miners' Union, passed at a regular - meeting of tho Union, and duly recorded on ' tho minuto book, ; Tho Union had', thus, it -is alleged, assumed responsibility :for tho striko, and under N Seption 15 of tho Industrial Concilia-tion-and Arbitration Act Amendment Act, 1905, it was liable to a fine not exceeding £100. For the payment of this tinothopropert/ of tho Union became liable, and, failing this, each member of tho Union, up to a contribution of £lp.

The Government yesterday, accordingly, instituted proceedings against the Union on a charge ,of creating a strike, and an applies ) tion has been made (under power given ir the Act)- for',- a special sitting of the' Court | The application is mads for a sitting- at Grey ■.) mouth. ,

Under. Sub-section 5 of tho Act, the Court • may,- in its .discretion', .'summon any person it considers, -guilty-,rpf -proposing, aiding, or;- > abetting tho strike. Tljis applies 'tj thqso really ;-rpsppnsiblo for. the. strike or ringleaders, .if.-and thpsp.n}eii.may be found. . guilty and fined as individual offerers unclei , .the Act. . Yesterday' a short, sitting of Cabinet, waj held, and it is understood tho,above mattei was discussed.. SYMPATHY AT WELLINGTON. , . TRADES COUNCIL'S RESOLUTIONS. '" . . :At the .meptiug of' the Wellington Trades:, , ■ Council ;last,.evening, .tbo,position at Black-' ball was discussed; and open sympathy was .expressed ivit-li the men all round. The following: resolutions, showing .thp feelingof; thq Council on the \ matter were carriec' unanimously,• -. . ■■ •"That after hearing both the ers' and views as to the origin, of- the striko, this Council hparj,ily- endorses' : the action of tho Blackball 1 • Minors' Union." -v' '"• "That _ this Council expresses its syn}- . ;,-. pathy .with lijihe - unlon-r ists 'ivere' yictnnispcr by the Black- , , - ball 'Coal .'Mining /Company,' and 'is'',of '■:{ opiniqn that ; unless tho Government:' v.- .. .take, proceedings .against the company,' J £. firstly forrjdiscrimmat-ion; and' secondly ';0. I for a lock-out,'/-tho' Uiiions and , Trades ;-, .Councils of New Zealand should .. s'eri- .. -ously consider ways and mcijns of bring- " : ing, about a 'just administration of .tho Arbitration Act.'' , "-'j In , connection with the, first ! j respfytiott,'' the secretary was instructed to telegraph to'' the secretary of ■ the Blackball Minors' Union asking if.' the Union" required assist- > ance.' '- '

INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE- < GOVERNMENT, " (BY TELEGRAM—riIESS ABSOLUTION.) i ■ : r Graymcuth, March 51Mr. Lomas, of tlio Labour Department lias received instructiqiis from; the/GbVcfn- . ment' to proceed-against tho Blackball Miners'; 'Urnon for-; a breach, under'. Scctioh 15; of. tho Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act,, 1905. , The Arbitration Court will sit in Greymouth as .soon as possible, probably on Monday. □iincdihi March 5. ' Tlio following resolution wps passed at tonight's meeting of the Trades aii(| Labour Council: •"•That ;this -Council .extends its. .sympathy ; to the. Blackball Miners- Union in . standing, by', sevon members who ; Tvero discharged from tho Blackball mine without rea-.. son/-ancl : trusts they will bo \ puccossful in their oiforts to prevent unionists;from being, victimisedfor ; ■ giving ' .expression to, thai political opinions;" . '• '■