THE BLACKBALL STRIKE

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue LIII, 13 April 1908, Page 5

THE BLACKBALL STRIKE

TO BE CONTINUED.

TYNESIDE MINERS WITHDRAW SUPPORT.

IPEE9B ASSOCIATION.) GREYMOUTH, April 13. On Saturday the executive of the Blackball Miners' Union sent in their resignations. As a meeting had been called, the members rolled up and an election was taken, the old executive, with the exception of Mr Barnhill, offering themselves for re-election. The reason given for Barnhill' s abstention was that, as he works on the NgahereBlackball railway, he found it was very inconvenient for him to give the time to the duties of his office as President. The following officers were nominated and declared elected: — President, Mr Fox; vice-president, Mr Buchanan; secretary, Mr Rogers; committee, Messrs Meecham, Webb, Hall, Milligan, W. Leitch and Richards. The following telegram to the secretary, Mr Rogers, was read: "Mr Tregear wished that his position should be dealt with by the executive.— (Signed) Hickey." A wire from Mr Pritchard to Mr Rogers was also read as follows: "Don't resign, despite traitors; keep a solid front and victory will be ours; don't heed the clamorings of a few creatures who would rather be slaves than free men. Yours in" the cause of union and justice. — Pritchard." It was decided to continue the strike and remain firm in the demand for half an hour crib time. It is reported that over £300 was distributed in strike pay on Saturday, the basis of payment being 30s for a man, 10s for his wife, and 5s for each child. One miner lifted £3 10s for the week. The Tyneside Miners' Union met on Saturday and rescinded the resolution agreeing to give support to the strikers. The Wharf Laborers' Union met this morning to consider the question of withdrawing support, but the press was not admitted, and all information as to the result was withheld.