THE BLACKBALL MINERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2128, 29 February 1908, Page 2

THE BLACKBALL MINERS.

ALL WORX SUSPENDED,

SYAIPATHY FOR THE STRIKERS,

Press Association. GRE k AIOUTH, Feb. 28. . Ihe strike at .Blackball still continues, and all work is suspended. This morning a meeting of -the Aimers’ Union wa held, when Air. Isdell, of the Laor Department, notified the union that the company are prepared to all; w the men to resume work at once, ; id that the dismissed men will be reinstated. The chairman of the union read a resolution pass d unanimously at the previous meeting, and sent to the manager, as follows: “That no member of the unic-.i resume work in the mine until the men dismissed are reinstated, and the loss of time, from the time of their dismissal, be refunded.” He pointed out that the last clause had been ignored by the manager, and the meeting agreed to hold out. A deputation to the manager informed him that the miners agreed with his proposal to reinstate, but in order to prevent the men being victimised, they hrd decided that m the event of the management having to .lismiss hands, owing to any cause whatever, the men to be so dismissed :o be selected by ballot. The manager refused to agree, stating that ho wished to keep in the district married men who had built up homes. The union then unanimously deeded not te return to work until ;ome arrangements -are made to present men from being victimised. No further developiut can take place tomorrow, as the meeting is adjourned fill Alonday, at 10 o’clock. The Hon. J. A. Alillar telegraphed or particulars, so as to judge if a :ettlement could be arrived at withmt law, but his telegram was not veil received. Air. Lomas, of the Labor Department, telegraphed that fie is leaving Wellington by the first boat.

Messages of sympathy and offers of uipport have bean received from Denliston, Brunner, Tyuend, and Gran:tv miners. Mr. Edward Tregear, of has telegraphed his sympathy. . Mr. H. M. Fitzgerald, the Socialist organiser, delivered a speech last niglit at Blackball, the then to stand firm. The township is quiet and orderly.