THE BLACKBALL STRIKE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9193, 24 March 1908, Page 1

THE BLACKBALL STRIKE

STRIKERS DEFIANT. WILL NOT PAY FINE. NO PROSPECT OF A SETTLEMENT. [Pan Pbiss Associatxow.] GREYMOUTH, March 23. A meeting of the Blackball Miners' I \\ on was held this morning at Blackball, when a resolution was carried not to pay the £75 fine imposed by the Arbitration Court and to completely ignore the whole matter. It was further decided not to go to work until half an hour "crib" time had been allowed. The meeting was determined not to give way, and to fight the position to an end. Very severe criticism was passed on the Arbitration Court, and as a protest which will be felt the miners decided to set it at defiance. The time fixed by the Government for the payment of the fin 6 expired today, and it will be interesting to see : what action the Government will take. ' 'It is also stated that Mr Hiekey has not paid the fine imposed on him some weeks ago by_ the Magistrate in connection with disobedience. Some of the married men are getting work at the Paparoa and Ngahere railway works. The action of the miners to-day in refusing to pay the fine removes all hopes of an early settlement. Business people in town state that they can feel the effects of the strike at Blackball, and they are not willing, to send goods on credit. The Blackball storekeepers have already stopped credit. The miners have received their first strike pay, £1 being distributed to each man.