BLACKBALL STRIKE.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13565, 2 December 1916, Page 5

BLACKBALL STRIKE.

Condemned by Miners’ Federation. SECTIONAL ACTION CONDEMNED STRONG FEELING AGAINST CONSCRIPTION. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last Night. The Hou. W. D. S. Mac Donald, Minister of Mines, states that he received information to-day from the State Mines that everything is going on satisfactorily so far as they are concerned. Regarding the Blackball strike Mr Mac Donald said that he understood that the Miners’ Federation delegates who had been interviewing Mr Allen and himself were returning to Blackball to put the position before the" men with a view to arriving at a settlement, so that it it is quite possible that there will be no further development till they arrive there. * ] agent of the Coalminers’ Federation, Mr R. Semple, and the secretary, Mr Arbucle, have made the following joint statement concerning Blackball miners:—"They have taken the initiative on themselves. The : executive has advised them to resume ! work. With regard to the runmirs that other mines will stop on Monday, we put statements down as rumours which are not likely to eventuate at present. At any rate, the executive is bound to have something to say before that happens. There is a tremendous feeling of indignation amongst the miners regarding conscription and a grim determination on their part that their liberty shall not be encroached on by what they deem to be an evil and -unnecessary policy on the part of the Government. We are determined that if anything is done it must be done in a firm and businesslike way, and not spasmodi- j cally. We do not encourage sectional action on the- part of any union, as ; this would not be effect! ve. ’ ’

WAGES QUESTION RAISED, Private advices received in Wellington state that the Blackball miners, in addition to their present protest against conscripton, , are demanding an ncrease of 17% per cent, in the minimum wage. The Denniston miners, according to a private telegram, have decided to cease work if any of their own members are conscripted. MINERS’ EXEMPTION. STATEMENT BY HON. JAMES \ ALLEN.

Arising out of the strike of the Blackball miners, the Hon. James Align (Acting Prime Minister) made; a statement to a reporter yesterday regarding miners and the ballot. "1 wish to make it perfectly clear,” said the Minister, ‘ ‘ that if a man is drawn in the ballot not only has he a right to appeal. to the Military Service Boards, but his employer has also the right to appeal] I am very anxious indeed that the coal miners should be retained in the industry, because this is of very great importance to New Zealand. In order to assist them in their appeals to the Military Service Boards, a regulation was published in the Gazette of (I think) 2nd October, under which the Minister for Munitions—although it states Minister of Defence in the Gazette —may send a certificate to the Military Service. Board stating that a miner is required in the industry, and exemption will be granted. I hope that the coal miners will understand that though they may be called in the ballot we look to them to send in notices of appeal, and the Defence Department will help them in every way.”