WORK AND WAGES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6495, 15 April 1908, Page 5

WORK AND WAGES.

THE BLACKBALL STRIKE STATEMENT BY A MINISTER. PEEBS ASSOCLATIO-S'. AUCKLAND, April 14. Referring to the recent developments of the Blackball miners' dispute, the Minister for Mines (Mr McGowan) this morning informed a press representative that tho law must bo carried out. 'imen, he said, may adopt a certain stauu and believe they are within their rights, but the fine must bo paid. Of that there was no possible question. "It is at present impossible to s&y what the developments of the future wall be." added the Minister, "but tho law must be paramount and must bo carried out. No Government can possibly stand by and see the law defied. Tho public are apt to be hasty and clamour for an immediate settlement of a rather complex situation. This is not a matter, however, which can be rushed through. It may be taken for granted that the Government will do what is right in the Blackball case, and the first thing is to collect this money. What is more, there is no doubt that the Government will do it." AN UNOFFICIAL CONFERENCE. CHRISTCHURCH, April 14. Mr D. K. PritchUrd had an interview to-day with Mr Geo. G. Stead, chairman of the Blackball Company, which lasted over one hour. They discussed the position of matters at Blackbull. As Mr Pritchard was not officially authorised to commit the union to any arrangement the conversation wUs merely general.

STRIKE SETTLED

HASTINGS, April M. All the bakers' drivers who struck yesterday, with the exception of one man, returned to their respective carts this morning. One master baker has agreed to pay the wages demanded; the other bakers declined to consider the men's demands. In the case of the man who was not taken back, the employer states that he had decided to dispense with that driver's services prior to the strike. It is probably due to Factory Inspector Culver's interview with the men yesterday that the Btrike has terminated.