THE BLACKBALL STRIKE

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, 11 April 1908, Page 5

THE BLACKBALL STRIKE

TELEGRAMS.

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. —COPYRIGHT.]

SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST STRIKE LEADERS.

MEN WANTONLY INCITED

TFREBS ASSOCIATION.]

CHRISTCHURCH, April 10.

The special correspondent of the Lyttelton Times at .Greymouth reports that the Executive of the Blackball Miners’ Union have withheld from the men the proposals submitted to them for settlement of the difficulty, and, in fact, even when asked, refused to produce for the men’s information important telegrams which would probably have led to a settlement some time ago. The report further states that Hickey was sent north to collect money, and not to confer with others. This is interpreted here to mean that as long as the unions in other districts will subscribe money to support : the executive in idleness they-discourage any attempt to effect a settlement of the difficulty. The Lyttelton Times points out that the miners were being wantonly-incited to continue the strike by their own leaders.

DISCONTENT AMONGST STRIKERS

GREYMOUTH, April 10

There is a good deal of discontent among the strikers at Blackball owing to the fact that the executive have kept back telegrams from Mr Tregear offering- terms of settlement. One of the strikers, writing to the Grey Argus, exposes the : whole matter, which the secretary of the union denies. The executive have received a warm time from the local press and the public, and it is stated they have decided to resign. A meeting will be held tomorrow to receive resignations. A requisition was presented to the secretary of the Wharf Laborers’ Union .to-day, duly signed, asking for an extraordinary meeting to be called to consider the question of continuing support to the strikers. The meeting is to be held on Sunday morning, when a resolution to rescind giving support will be moved. Last week the wharf laborers contributed £l7, being 5 per cent, of the wages earned.

THAMES SUPPORT.

THAMES, April 10

Members of the Thames Miners’ Union met to-night to discuss the’ position of the Blackball strikers and to decide whether assistance should be given. The meeting was not open to the press, but it is understood it was decided to recommend the executive to grant assistance.

WELLINGTON UNIONS’ SUPPORT

WELLINGTON, April 10

■ The Wellington Trades and Labor Council have invited all the local unions to send financial assistance to the Blackball miners. The invitation, it is stated,-is'being responded to by almost every union. Some are sending lump sums of £5 and upwards weekly. So far but one union has written refusing to subscribe.