THE MINERS' STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 140, 7 March 1908, Page 5

THE MINERS' STRIKE.

JALL QUIET AT BLACKBALL. ' i-.PREPARING FOR THE COURT . PROCEEDINGS. , A DEPARTMENTAL LETTER. ■ (KIIOM OUll SrECIAL 'COnRESrONDENTS.) - Creymouth, March G. .Naturally, since , the: institution ■ of proceedings] both parties have, been very qyiet. This forenoon tho ;Union; wore informally informed of tho decision .to .prosecute, and it. is'understood that tho'matter was subsequently discussed at r .a largely-nttondpd meeting of members, but the utmost secrecy has been observed as to tho proceedings. • Later in the day the summonses wero filed with tho Clerk of Awards at 'Hokitika, and it/is intended to formally serve tho Union •in tho morning. ' . .. ' The manager'was in town .to-day and consulted; the company's solicitor. ■ j -i Tho Labour Department .agent (Mr. Loinas) :has fully instructed Sir. Haiinfin,' who conducts, the case, for the Crown, while it. is ' whispered (hat 'the TJnioii will retain counsel to-morrow. .' All- sides are preparing for next TVednesday's fight. ; ■ ' temains ' very .quiet, > and 'a stranger could'hardly' -tell that: a strike is in progress. • :■ '. .Tho question asked of many to-day.is—What will- happen after the' rArbitrationYCourt. ileal^.- with':,' tho prosecution for . a strike ? Various 'are ,formed, hut time alone,, can : sojvp; a; problemthat, gives riso' to: a'deal of anxiety.' 5 :■'• ./ - ' To-day a long-telegram >;as received froin tho Wellington Trades and Labour Council, expressing sympathy 'and .offering' 'financial. support. :Tho'Union :has also received advice tlfat a':meeting'- of, 1500 Socialists, at. Christ-; church' passed -a motion of sympathy. /■ (BY TELEGKArE —HIESS ASSOCIATION.iI Greymouth, March 6. ■ Mr. ; Lomfis', ■ of the Labour; ' Department-,; forwarded.to Mr./Pntchard, 'acting secretary of; tiio.;Blackbair-'Miuers' Union, -yesterday,' tho following:— '• / • '//'/■' 1 /"/ - ; v 'Tho Court of Arbitration has fixed > Wednesday, March '11,. for tho hearing of procooiiina.s instituted under Section . 15 of -. the. Industrial:-Arbitration: Act : ' 1 Anieridment'-Bjll ; Under; Subsec-, ' tion (B) of Section 101 of the principal > .'/ : Act,' proceedings for breaoh of an ,a\vard may' oo taken/either l)y : tho'lnspector ,of, ; . /;Awards or by; any party..to tho. award.;- < • --I' am :'instructed"'by : the' -'Minister, for. ; Labour to inform you-that if-you dosiro to submit , any grounds upon which : ' • you allege a'broach of your award or of tho f liidustrikl : .'Conciliation 1 Arbitration' j' ' 'Act: lias been' committed by/ : tlip Black- ■■ / ] ball' Goal ' Company,/theso , grounds will,. ' - i bo; at .once :; considered,/ and- if,' they .dis-! close a prima'facie case'against the company, I, as Inspector of Awards/'will institute. proceedings, to-bo heard on .Wednesday next, . before,:■ with, or after -tno •• ;/;':pending proceedings l-againSt j_yp'u'r Uuiou.: 1 '.''.rund^. , '^tipn ; 'ls/abdto.^referrßd-;;td,-i^.l-'v, am 'also/directed to point .-out to you. /that under the said paragraph :(B) abo.vc- ■. mentioned, your.' Union inay itself in-.-j,: stitutp proceedings against ;.the. company.. . . for any breach of tho award or of tho '-.''Act youi; Union may complain of. I : - should',be- glad,;to,,hear . / earliest'possible.; moment, in,,-reply'to tho, - -coiimiinicaitioii^^^VV ■TC/t • ',X -V- " J.' Lomas,' '. . Ttißn^pf.nr