THE STRIKE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8542, 24 March 1908, Page 7

THE STRIKE.

MINERS WILL NOT PAY THE FINE. Per Press Association. GREYMOUTH, March 23. A meeting of the Blackball Miners' Union was held this morning at Blackball when an extraordinary resolution was carried not to pay the £75 fine imposed by the Arbitration Court and to completely ignore the whole matter. It was further decid- } ed not to go to work until half an I hour crib time was allowed.

The action of the miners was severely commented on in town and regret is felt that they are so ill-ad-vised.

The meeting was determined not to give way and to fight the position to an end. Very severe remarks were made on the Arbitration Court and as a protest which will be felt tho miners decided to set it at defiance.

The time fixed by the Government for the payment of the fine was up to-day and it will be interesting to see what action tho Government will take. It is also stated that Hickey has not paid the fine imposed on him some weeks ago by the magistrate iu connection with disobedience at the Blackball mine.

The Brunner Workers' Union has donated' £21 out of its funds and gives £30 a week until the trouble is settled. Some of the married men are getting work at the Paparoa and Ngahere railway works. The Brunner Union passed the following resolution :—'' That Mr Millar, Minister of Labour, be informed that this Union has no confidence in the constitution of the Arbitration Court and strongly urges him to pass legislation to amend same."

The action of the miners to-day in refusing to pay the fine removes all hopes of an early settlement. Business people in town state that they can feel the effects of the strike at Blackball and they are not willing to send goods on credit. Tlio Blackball storekeepers have already stopped credit. The miners have received the first strike pay, £1 being distributed to each man.