THE BLACKBALL STRIKE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9211, 14 April 1908, Page 1

THE BLACKBALL STRIKE

POSITION OF BRUNNER UNION. [Fnoi^ Our Correspondent.] GREYMOUTH, April 13. Mr Watchman, president of the Brunner Union, writes to the "Star" as follows: " Please allow me space to contradict a rumour that the Brunner workers have ceased to support the wives and families of the Blackball miners. I want to inform those parties who are saying this that such is not the case. The position is that at a meeting of the Union, which was not ( a representative one, only fifty-seven out of one hundred and forty members being present, it was resolved that the Blackball miners had not taken advantage of the offers made to them for a \ settlement of their dispute, and that I the compulsory levy of 5 per cent bo cancelled. Thirty-four voted for the resolution and twenty-six against, so you see there is still about one-half against the resolution, and a meeting is being called, when it is expected that the whole of the members will be present to test the matter. If the former resolution is upheld, the subscription will be mad,e a voluntary one, and the collectors will still collect each day from those who may have any sympathy for the wives and families of our comrades at Blackball. If the latter course has to be done, I am certain that the subscriptions from the Brunner Union will be as large as other Uniorls in proportion to its membership. In conclusion, I would like to tell the workers of this district to waken up and have the Arbitration Act amended, so that such a case as the Blackball affair cannot occur again. Be not like dumb driven cattle, but be forward in the strife."

[Per Press Association ] GRETMOUTH, April 13 The Wharf Labourers' Union, at a meet'-^g on Sunday, decided to continue their support to the wives and children of the Blackball strikers. The Tyneside miners will meet on Friday to reconsider their action of Saturday last in withdrawing support from the miners at Blackball. One of the strikers-, writing to the "Argus" regarding Saturday's meeting at Blackball, states that the miners were told before the meeting that they were going to get 30s & week for each man, 10s for wife, and 5s for each child. "Hie desire to have money without working was too strong," he writes, "and consequently the opportunity for a settlement passes, and we are going to continue to live on the money of others. The meeting passed off quietly, and we all returned -later and received our weekly allowance, some of us up to the tune of £4 55." '