Grey River Argus and BlacKball news. PUBLISHED DAILY. MONDAY, MARCH 20 1908

Grey River Argus, 2 March 1908, Page 2

Grey River Argus and BlacKball news. PUBLISHED DAILY. MONDAY, MARCH 20 1908

It is a discouraging reflection to feel that, despite' all the bent-iatentioned efforts, we are still a long way from establishing reasonably harmonious relations between capital and labour, between employers and employed, Al- ' though -/perpetual harmony and the absence of friction in human affairs" may be impossible of realisation, there is' no reason to doubt that good -working conditions are always within reach when- common sense and a mutual spirit of fairness are displayed. For many gears' the miners at Blackball •and the company and its_ officials have got along together without any disturbance Worth sQ»akin£- of; ' and from wiAit^w* can learn ithe present ■state of affairs and the causes that.have produced it, we are hopeful that matters will be adjusted before the interests of .the public suffer any serious injury. As in every case in which a conflict of opinien . arises, there are two versions of the origin df the difficulty. The trouble is serious enough,but vve imagine, that' ah honest enquiry -into the facts will (Expose the source of trouble -nnd re veal- a. remedy lo remove the dangerous" condition of affairs and restore industrial T peace. .... The Hob Mr Millar, -Minister of Labour, .who Has the advantage of having -had .-.a handih -settling the miners*, difficulty a* Denniston, has telegraphed for full • particulars regarding the dispute, so as to 7 enable him to judge i whether a settlement can be arrived at without' invoking tho aid of the law. But in order to form an opinion of any value, h e should .ask for a state- . ment of the case from the uvea's point

of view as well as that of fhe officials of the company. Either this must be done or an open inquiry should be held on the spot. Any reports from labour officers of the Government could not foe regarded as of much value compared with the statements of the parties at' loggerhead^*. The points in dispute are not of a very serious mature, though a mistake on either side might easily devolop a serious position We can therefore agree with Mr Millar that, the.,situation requires careful consideration. The men have -acted illegally in knocking off work in a summary manner until a certain alleged grievance is rectified. This is getting - behind the law on the subject and bringing *us back to the old crude strike method with all its hard barbarism. We incline to think that no mere frivolous excuse can have led the men to act in so high-handed a. 'manner. It is for them to show that they iare justified on the score of having been subjected to undue provocation, though in the ej r e of the law such a plea may not carry much weighs however it would influence public .opinion. Soine sympathy will go out to the men for •resenting the dismissal of seven of their comrades and putting themselves between the officers, of the mine and those dismissed. While it must be held that employers of labour have the right to 'employ many or few hands, according to their needs, and dispense with the services of wliosoover they like, the dismissal should be on rational grounds and according to tihe usages of governing the -industry. It seems to 'be pretty clear that the strikers are under the impression that for some reason not yet made public the dismissed men are regarded as the victims of an unfair and despotic system of management. It is seen that the management soon consented to reinstate the men dismissed; but the miners, evidently distrusting the good faith of tKos c giving the undertaking, insist that any dismissals that may be deemed necessary in the future shall be done by a system of ballot. With no desire to impugn the fair dealing of the Blackball; mine officials, the strikers' stipulation cannot be .regarded as unreasonable. There have been frequent instances of men being punished because of their activity in labour disputes. 'Opportunity has been taken, after th e excitement has blown ove^ to get rid of the more conspicuous and objectionable •men one at a time. iThe men, on the other hand, are sometimes hot above showing vindictiveness of feeling. The common failings of humanity are not peculiar to either the capitalist or the "iwage slave," as our socialistic friends prefer to designate working men. What the Government have tp inquire into is the cause of the trouble, and on which ever side the blame lies let that side bear the responsibility and* suffer what penalty may be entailed. The' servants of the Company are as likely to be guilty of grave, indiscretions in dealing with th c men in tlieir employ as the men are themselves. In these respects there is not a toss-up between either. It would have -been more (regular and in accordance with modern ideas, perhaps, if the -men had appealed iby legal form, but the process bas the terrible •disadvantage of being roundabout and tedious, and very often not as satisfactory as the public would like. That is the main excuse that can be advanced in defence of the me n breaking the law by striking and bringing the operations of an important company to' *a standstill, to 4iy" nothing of the consequential losses and general inconverience and perhaps misery to all who should ibe in any -way directly concerned.

' We are a .little afraid; that there is not that spirit of conciliation among&t the miners that we should like to see. There is als 0 a growing desire amongst thi least reflective to abolish the Arbitration Act and revert to the bad old ways. The first note of trouble in the air brought the stormy petrel Fitzgerald on the scene, and we may be sure that he did not throw oil on the troubled waters ; but, Avith the old sans-culotte spirit would make thing's worse by denunciations all around. That is his mission. The mine also labours under the disadvantage that there is no local directory. The owners are in England, there "is a directory of three in Christohurch, and the management and control of the mine are in the tiands of one family. These features are 'of themselves sufficient to account for a good deal of the unpleasantness that only came to a head the other day. Otherwise Blackball may be said to He a happy family; the miners are well paid and have usually plenty of work.

The Pactolus No. 1 dredge obtained 530ZS for 12 houTs' dredging last week. The people who have secured the rights to the Cedar Creek reefs fare mysteriously Ihansing fire. The usual meeting of_th c Fire .Brigade takes place this evening 'at S o'clock. The last stone crusihed iby Osmers and party in Donnelly's Creek, Ross district averages over two ounces to the ton, besides* what is expected from the tailings. A telegram received in town on Saturday states that the appeal of Mr Dunn in the First View-Suttee cash was- allowed. The result is that the Paparoa Handicap goes to the firstnamed. •The rain yesterday was very heavy in the "country, and in a sjhort time -the creeks were in high flood. JStelsoii Creek rose rapidly and towards evening was uncrossable. The riyer was also in a fresh last evening. Mr Bruce, agricultural lecturer for the Grey Education Board., gave the last of his series of lectures on. Saturday. There was a very large attendance of, teadhcrs, and all expressed the keenest interest in the subject matter. Two men are_eugag-ed l_. prospectingat the Britannia mine. They have dis covered a small lead witha little gold in it, and are following it np with the hope of opening out something better. . Mr H. G. Wells, the novelist (says 'j Mr Harold Spencer in the Pall Mall i 'Magazine) looks and is still very youthful,: being barely over forty, with a boyish laugh and manner for a man j who lias produced some two books a year for twelve years past. Dr Oickan, of the Lick Observatory staff, contemplates spending four years at Rotorua, where he intends to finish the cataloguing of the double stars. He evidently considers Rotorua a good site from which to conduct astronomical tahservations. The remains of the late Mr C. J. Berry were interred in the Crreymouth cemetery on Saturday. The funeral was private only relatives ;and intimate friends being present. Sincere sympathy ds felt for the relatives in their •bereavement. The settlers throughout the Gr^y Valley, and particularly at Totara ■Flat, welcomed the heavy ""downpour of rain which fell yesterday. The ! grass was all burnt up and tho ground parched, and the outjook for winter, feed was gloomy .However th c heavy downpour yesterday^ will r do a--- great deal of good and ensure a* good winter crop„of feed. - ' . ■---.' •The burning of the Nelson Creek No. 1 dredge is a mystery, "and the local directors aie iat 'a loss to .account for the origin of the fire* No o«e was on th c dredge during the day, and no fires were lighted on the dredge for .somet ime* past.*". The only solution offered is that sparks from the ibush fires, in the vicinity might have been responsible for starting the- fire, but this os considered improbable. Mr John Ryall, candidate for the Wfes'tland Land 'Boaixi delivered an excellent address to the Crown tenants at Kokatahi on Thursay evening. Mr P. Jones ocupied the chair. Mr Rvall gave his views at some length- on "the •unsatisfactory.- -way tb c Land Board had carried out its duty in the past and promised, if elected, to biing about many reforms for the benefit of the Crown tenants. Mr Ryall -.was heartily applauded f o r his address He created a most favorable impression and showed that the fully understood the wants of the settlers. He was accorded a most unanimous vote of thanks.

Mr D.- Dalgleish, son of the Manager of the U.S.S Co's Westport branch •u 5 ™ n a PP oi nted assistant purser on the Maori, the new turbine boat running beWeen Wellington and Lyttelton. Mr Dalgleish received short notice of bis appointment and left Westport by the Arahura last week. At a special meeting of the Borough Council, to be Jield on Tuesday neyt, th« Mayor will move:— (i) That all previous resolutions, setting forth that the street improvements shall be let by contract only, and noti by day labor, b e rescinded, -[-a).. --That.. the Borough Engineer be instructed to employ Mr Calder to drive the road roller, and perform other necessary Avork ia connection with the street formation aud metalling, with capable men under him. On Friday afternoon Z- very, large bush 'fine broke out at Ikamatua at Stratford and Blair's mill. During Saturday it avjis with difficulty tlie mill was saved the men .fighting the flames for hours. On Saturday morning Messrs Straitford andf Tennent visited the mill and found the fire was raging in the ~ worked portion of the •bush and a large extent of tramway was destroyed. The nrain on, Sunday morning Avas very welcome, and the fire Avas soon gpt under. iThe damage is not considered to be very serious. HAVE YOU S>EEN THEM? Tihe new Pictorial Writing Blocks Avith tihree different views of Greymouth an black and -white on every second sheet. They are a novelty worth sending to your friends abroad. Only is each at :B. Dixons. Tainui Street.— Advt. In vastness of assoTtcatoa:. raiige of materials and styles our offering ofclothing for Iboys and youths is unequalled. The superiarity of cut make and Avearinp; qualities is recognised by all who have purchased our goods W. McKay and Son The Draper.— Advt.

•Tlile opinion is ibecoming prevalent that no miatter how the Blackball difficulty is settled— -that •is if it should be adjusted to-day, as many expect— fhe dominion ris within measurable distance of a igreat labour unheaval, iand that some people are "spoiling for a fight." This may ibe a groundless alarm, but it is part of the gossip of the street for all "that and serves to shoAy that the general public are (becoming a little anxious about the danger of a handful of imen being able to disorganise trade and the rest of the community. 'Such a power as eA'idently a danger to society, and as such ought not to be tolerated.

A # socialistic apostle held forth opposite Gieseking's building on Saturday night in an overs trained voice and kept a disolving croAvd more or less amused ;by the torrent of aibuse pounded out, a large share of which fell to Mr Guiness and Mr Tom Seddon. Advocacy of that kind is not calulated to advance th e interests of any cause, least of all one that seeks to revolutionise the habits and methods of mankind for thousands of yea; on as short order as holding ari election. Meeting pf a very similar character Avere delivered* at Blackball Idurintr the strike fever, which did not, of course improve matters.

Regular customers 0 f C. Smith, l-td Greymouth's -leading draper, look on his store as ideal. They receive there real courtesy and close attention. They have the largest selection on *he Coast to choose from — every article is reliable and moderately priced— purchases are. always delivered promptly and correctly. It. will pay you to become a regular customer. Better make a start to-day.— Advt.

It was with very deep regret that the oiews of the death of 'Mrs John Wright, of Aihaura, fw.as received by her many friends in town and district. Deceased cwas a very old resident of Ahaura having lived in that little township for over 34 years, little shrdlu period many friends who will sincerely mourn 'her death. 'She was a kindly soul ever ready to assist those iin Idist!ress. (Her loydng disposition endeared her to all, and iher noble acts •Avail even live 'to keep b.ear memory dearj She Avas a great sufferer, but in the midst of all her suffering she exhibited great patience and a cheerful demeanour. After the death of her husband she went to reside .with. Mr James Har greaves, her son-in-law, Avho watched oA'er her tenderly, and gratified her every Avish. She leaves six grandchildren, viz., Mr John Hargreaves, of the local Telegraph 'Department ; Mrg Har ris, of <t!he Survey Department, Nelson ; Mrs Overton, Rimu ; besides Miss •Hargreaves, school mistress, T.avlorville; Miss Hilda Hargreaves, assistant teacher, Greymouth, and Miss F. Hargreaves. The relatives will h.ave the sympathy of thdr many friends in their sad bereavement. The funeral •wall take place this morning-,

'When it became known on Friday says the Hokitika Guardian that the Borough Council had withdrawn, its modest support previously promised towards the Otira Tunnel contract celebration, a deputation waited on tM-r Evans, who has taken an 'interest in the matter, and at was .stated that in order that the town should give its practical support to a project in respect to which a very active ap-itation h-ad 'been centred her c for some years past, the citizens forming ithe deputation were prepared to subscribe privately. Mr Evans expressed his thanks stating he had already received several offers of subscrpt'ion, .and any amount required for a local guarantee would evidently be quickly forthcoming. Already he said, some six Pounds were promised by townsmen, and he believed if it wer c necessary to make any canvas, the amount could be made man^-times ovei-. As soon a? be had time he would prpbably maku a communication to the press, so that the pubhc would realise the importance of the occasion, and .the iairness of joining with out Canterbury friends in celebrating an event which was going to revolutionist the Coast and give it a future .now undreamt of Mr £vans said there was no doubt the -Selebrafcipn would talce iplace, amd the JVUnistenal and Parliamentary party which would b e present, would ensure the success which all well-wishers would hope for. t, YOU -WANT THAT PICTURE FRAMED? If you will bring if aW to B. TDixons, Tainui street we will guarantee three tilings— a lar ee selection or material to choose from; the ifhn t workmanship and splendid vailue for your money.. -Advt. ' Shirts for men. We are the headquarters for mens shirts .because all our materials are selected with tie Iv^S 51 £ are ap f cut and ™ad 8 ty expert skirt makers, are above the ordmarv an appearance! and ahvavs give satisfaction. W. McKav and S6n lhe Drapers.— Advt. '"". • The whaling barque Tohn and Win<t/Pt-° n a - voya; ? e om ok otsk Se a to s»n J?ranasco,.-had a remarkable experience of storms, and the invaluable use of oil in times of peril was demonstrated. The first gale was of three days' duration, much damage being done, and many sails lost, but oil was liberally used, and the vessel escaped. Her second experience was more serious, and occurred on oth November, when she was repeatedly thrown on her beam ends by hurricane blasts. -Three boats on the port side were smashed, and cabins wero flooded. For two days the barque floated vi a sea of oil, which proved her salvation. . A nation which has "built up even an artificial system' (observes the New « j Evomn g Post) cannot perhaps attord to throw down the structure at a .blow. It may ib c demonstrable that the sooner it is destroyed the more fully will cape ift'o operation the principle that labour finds its most efficient employment under the system of'free'competition. But if the existing capital of the nation is invested', as in the case of the United .States, ir. manufacturing establishments to the extent of thousands of millions of dolars, two great a sacrifice may be involved in abandoning enterprises suddenly even where the capita! invested in them was misdirected. Hence .practical statesmen, whatever their theoretic^L views have in but few cages proposed the sweeping abolition of "protective tariff laws. Thursday's North Otago Times says :"2-f?lt ia whispered that there' is a possibility Qf the ireceiver of the Har"bor Board superseding the Bga'rd wit-Ij. a manager, who would accept'all'responsibility for the conduct of the affairs .of .the harbor in the interest of the bondholders. Under the Act the bondholders have the .right to petition the Court for th c appointjnent of ji manager if the affairs of the harbour are being conducted in a manner that they consider detrimental to their interests. The affairs of the Board are •not purposely being mismanaged, but th c conduct of its affairs has become so entangled that no progress can be made, and, when it will shake itself out qf that entanglement is a problem that it" would be rash to speculate upon. If the three expert reports that, the Board has 3 r et to consider do hot lead to a solution of th c impasse, ■something of the kind we have indicated may eventuate. The reports, however, may open a way out of tie difficulty, when we hope the Board will set itself, in the interests of the ratepapers, to extricate itself from an inblerable position. BARKED YOUR SHINS Well,. -try Dr Sheldon's Magneic Lini ment, it will take away all the pair and stiffness, and you will forget al: about it. Obtainable at H. -Williams, ageut.

The engine-drivers (fays the Auckland Star) have Already filed a case for the next sitting of the court at F«tS-' and the Typographical. Union tasking for a consideration by the imSyers of an amended statement It is five years since the Auckland typographers were before the court, and their award expired on ist Maroh 1905. An extraordinary state of things (says the Victorian Typographical Journal exists in the Clipper office, -Hobart, which poses as a Labour Journal The wages P a J d * n^J?i hours worked are amongst the Avorst in Tasmania, hut assurances were giveu that of the other office^obseived fair conditions, the ClippeWvould do likewise. If the oliers did, forsooth! And this a Labour paper! At the last Tasmanian elections three of the staff of the Clipncr stood for election to Parliament, and two (Messrs Woods and Watkins) were elected as Labour members. They are still connected ■with the paper, Mr Woods ibeing manager or proprietor *