THE BLACKBALL STRIKE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8546, 28 March 1908, Page 5

THE BLACKBALL STRIKE.

GOVERNMENT TO BE RESISTED

NO CHANCE OF A COMPROMISE. UNEASINESS "oN~ THE COAST. Per Press Association. GREYMOUTH, March 27. The Blackball Miners' Union considered proposals by the Labour Department yesterday for assisting a settlement of the strike and the proposals were rejected. The miners are determined to accept no terms that do not include half an hour's crib time. They are also determined not to pay the fine of £75. and the decision of the Government to collect the amount from the Union or proceed individually against the men will be met with strong opposition. \ Mr Isdell, of the Labour Department, visited Blackball yesterday and had an interview with the miners and manager. He states there is no chance of a compromise, both sides remaining very firm. Great interest is manifested in the meeting to-morrow afternoon of the Tynesidc miners, who will consider the question of striking in sympathy with the Blackball men. There is an uneasy feeling about the result, the opinion being.that the strike will result. The old resident miners are against a strike, but the younger men are for going out. If a strike occurs at Tynesido it will be a serious thing for the mine, as there will be a danger of it flooding. There is a mild scare in town, and coal dealers are rushed with orders. The gasworks department has, since the strike, built up a reserve of 100 tons of coal. The Wharf Labourers' Union meet on Sunday afternoon to consider the proposal submitted to them for a strike.

SEEKING ASSISTANCE. DUNEDIN. March 27. Mr Pritehard, representative of the Blackball minors, addressed a meeting in the Alhambra Theatre this evening. There were about 120 people present. After Mr Pritehard had explained the position at Blackball from the minors' point of view, the following resolution was carried without dissent on the motion of Mr \V. S. Pattison, seconded by Mr McManus:— "That this meeting of citizens of Dunedin, after hearing the representative of the Blackball Miners' Union, congratulates the miners on their resentment of the action of the mine manager in victimising seven of their comrades, and expresses the hope that they will be successful in their efforts to secure the extension of crib-time to thirty minutes; also, that the meeting pledges itself to financially support the wives and children of those who have ceased work. ' CHRISTCHURCH. March 28. The Christchurch Tinsmiths' Union pissed a resolution last night that _it could not see ,its way clear to give financial \assistancc to the Blackball miners, as by so doing it would bring the Arbitration Act. the principles of which the Union earnestly upheld, into contempt.