THE BLACKBALL STRIKE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6492, 11 April 1908, Page 9

THE BLACKBALL STRIKE

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE UNION EXECUTIVE. THE SECRETARY IN REPLY. IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS EXPECTED. FBEES ASSOCIATION. GREYMOUTH, April 10. There has been a complete change in the position of the Blackball strike during the last few days, and now there is great discontent in the ranks of the strikers. An important development may take place to-morrow as the result. A special meeting of the Miners’ Union is to bo held in the morning to receive, it is reported, the resignation of the executive. If tho offer previously made by Mr Tregcar, and referred to yesterday, is then repeated, it is considered probable that it will be accepted. ME TEEGEAR’S TELEGRAM. The secretary of tho union has replied at length in the Grey “Argue" to the statements made about the discontented members (published yesterday), declaring that, they are contrary to fact. He admitted that Mr Tregoar’s telegram, was given correctly, but said that the informant was all at .sea in stating that tfie committee notified Mr Tregear that they could not entertain his proposals. \ The committee, he said, was doing its utmost to bring about a settlement in,aocordance with resolutions passed at the general meeting. . The letter, pointed out that the union, at the general meeting, carried a resolution by a very large majority not to resume work unless the, half-hour crib-time was granted. He also declared that they had received no proposal from anyone—merely suggestions from outside sources. Owing to the private nature of the telegram, the committee had been disinclined to discuss it in any way, but seeing that it Contained only the suggestions of Mr Tregear, it was decided to reply, with tho hope of getting something more definite before placing it before a general meeting. ( THE REPLY.

The reply that was sent was to the effect that if the Minister could get them half-an-hour’g crib-time ! , the men would resume work immediately. Up to the present no answer had been received. Mr Tregear’s telegram was not read to the special meeting of the union until there had been much discussion on the point, but (as mentioned yesterday) this was ultimately. agreed to. But before it was read Mr James Leitch, > cousin of the manager, asked that these messages i should be kept private, and out of the press. A long discussion took place. Mr James Leitch being on the floor eight or nine times without being interrupted by the chairman. It was on the, motion of one of the executive that the wire was read. \ At the conclusion of the meeting a motion was carried by acclamation endorsing the action of the commitee. , "We may state for the information ot the public generally,” concludes the letter. "that .directly, the public meeting was over Mr James Leitch visited the residence of the mine manager, and was also seen coming out. No doubt the public will know after reading the above letter where the letter signed Blackball Striker' emanated from.”

. The editor of the "Argils” denies the imputation that Mr Leitch wrote the letter. A COMMOTION. The publication ot these letters has caused a-great commotion, and the executive are receiving some very hard knocks from the public and the local press. The executive of the) union has notified its intention of resigning, and a meeting of the union will be held to-morrow morning to receive the resignation. ■_ , The secretary of the Wharf Labourers Union was presented with, a requisition duly signed to-day by the members, asking that ah extraordinary meeting be called for the purpose of considering the position of the strike at Blackball. The meeting has been set down for 10 o'clock on Sunday morning, when efforts will be made to rescind the resolution giving support to the miners. Last week the donation from the Wharf Labourers' Union reached .£l7, being 5 per cent, of wages earned. THE EXECUTIVE’S ATTITUDE. WHAT IT MBfNS. rases association. CHRISTCHURCH, April 10. The special correspondent of the Lyttelton Times” at Grey-mouth says that the report that the executive of the Blackball Minors' Union withheld from the men proposals for a settlement o£ the difficulty, and that Mr Hickey was sent north to collect money and not to onfer with others, is interpreted hero to mean thut as long as unions in other districts will -subscribe money to support the executive in idleness they diecourage any attempt at effecting a settlement of the difficulty. . .... The “Lyttelton Times points out that the miners are being wantonly incited to continue the strike by their own loaders. MORE ASSISTANCE. THAMES, April 10. The members of the Thames Miners’ Union met to-night to discuss the position of the Blackball strikers tind decide as to whether assistance should bo given. The meeting was not open to the press, but it is understood that it was decided to recommend the executive to grant assistance. !