THE STRIKE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8545, 27 March 1908, Page 2

THE STRIKE.

PROSPECT OF ITS SPREAD. Per Press Association. GREYMOUTH, March 26. There are persisitent rumours that negotiations are proceeding for a settlement, and that in a few days tho strike will be settled. On being interviewed, the manager stated that as far as he knows such is not the case, and the miners deny any knowledge of what is going on. There is a feeling abroad that the strike will spread. The Blackball Union has appealed to the Tyneside Miners and Wharf Labourers' Union to cease work. The Tyneside miners are holding a meeting on Saturday afternoon to consider tlie matter. An old miner and one who has worked in the district for many years states that there is a good deal of discontent among the Tyneside miners, and he would not be surprised if they considered the Blackball request favourably. The cause of complaint with the Tyneside miners is that Blackball boats are being supplied with Tyneside coal. The result of the meeting on baturday will be anxiously awaited. The Grey wharf labourers meet on Sunday afternoon and the position will be considered. From interviews with several prominent wharf labourers there appears no reason to believe they will "throw down their tools" as requested by the Blackball strikers. The position looks ecrious and the Blackball miners are as determined as ever. If negotiations for a settlement are proceeding it looks peculiar that letters should be sent to tho Tyneside miners and wharf labourers asking them to strike. WELLINGTON, March 26. Mr Hickey, representing the Blackball Miners' Union, addressed about two hundred people in the concert room of the Town Hall this evening in explanation and defence of the stand taken up by the strikers. Resolutions were passed as follows: —(1) That this meeting endorses the action of the miners of Blackball in the» stand-they have made and trusts they will continue to hold that stand until they have secured their full 1 rights; (2) That this meeting pledges itself to prevent the strikers of Blackball being starved out; (3) That this meeting has no confidence- in any laws placed on the Statute Book in the making of which the workers are not consulted. The sum of £4 10s was collected in the hall for the maintenance of the miners' families.