BLACKBALL STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 156, 26 March 1908, Page 7

BLACKBALL STRIKE.

STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER,

LAW MUST BE UPHELD. ' THE QUESTION OF IMPRISONMENT. (81, TELEOKAPn.—rniss ASSOCIATION.) , Auckland, March'2s. In tho course of his speech at Onehunga to-night;. tho,Primo Minister (Sir Joseph .Ward) said a matter tliat had roceivo'd very deep attention was conciliation and arbitra- ■ tion. vlt.would not beiproper to go'into ■ , , tails or espross strong' opinions regarding the Blackball strike, except that ho deeply . 'regretted that; a,; strike had taken place, and regretted. the los 3in production. Ho regretted to learn that tho miners; took tho , extreme, step of opposing tho decision of tho Court, and the man was; no well-wisher of the miners who would adviso ithem to'tako tho course thoy were following. It would ■ have been far better to conform to tho law > - and havo mado : representations to tho Gov- 1 'ernmoiit ' 'upon tl]o pomts i'ho iminers ; were ' lissatisfied with, -•-'...; : Tho'decision of the Court was unani-mous,-and. tho Government! as . well as 1 *; the, employers and omployoes, must up- ■ fiold ■' the law. Ho was personally strongly opposed to imprisonment, and ■an amendment of the law in this re- \ sped was essential. He would not entertain any suggestion for repoal of the •' Act. Tho system of strikes, and arbitration could not bo co-existent. Tho : Government and Parliament would inquire to consider a ■ scheme whereby a , ■ dead level of Court awards would bo obviated, and a system provided that would give an incentive to those pre- i pared to work harder or more success- j fully-than their fellows.. The whole matter was roeoiving the earnest con- . sideration of 1 the Government. (Loud ■ applause.) - ..... NEGOTIATIONS PROCEEDING. [by. TELEGRAPH.—SrECIAL COIJIIESrONDENT.] . Creymouth, March 25. .To-day," . the 'twenty-eighth day of tho : v aitriko, saw;ah' : attompt';.again. made to bring about a. settlement. Negotiations to ' that end are now proceeding between the Blackball Miners' Union and somo. party not yet disclosed.' A great deal of secrecy is.observed, .. and it is impossible to,;gefc any 'information. j. l ;Mr.,Leitch .states; that; he is. not; a ware/that j negotiations ,aro proceeding,' and it .is prev. .sumed, hero that - the . Union is in touch with . '. the'head,office iii- Christchuroh. •': ■;: '■ <:■'■■■■'■ iV" STATEMENT BY MR. PRITCHARD. IBr;TBLEQEArU—PRESS.ASSOCIATION.}. Dunedin, March 25 Mr.'D/K. Pritohardj'one of the delegates ' ~'' appointed by the Blackball Union to deliver addresses in; various parts of the ' Dominion • on. the. Blackball strike, and what led up to it, arrived an Dunodin this evening. • When , • interviewed-, ho-said tho Union would cor- . .'6aiiily. , '. bo'' unanimous ■ ' in.' 1 sticking :.'out -for, what it has. domanded; ■ ..The. workers were. : .tb go haek to'.work until they •' were conceded half, an hour for- crib. He was also positive the men would go to'gaol , ;iii: preferenoe.topaying the_fine.',./The'sub-'

scriptions received- to date as the result of

.■his addresses amounted to just on £200.'-Mr; Pntchard pays liis ownexpenses. Ho made that^froniprivate'' ( niformatioii. he .was possessed 'of,,'and which he was not in-a:;position :to 'divulge, he would' not' ho surprised if he received a telegram at' any timo that tho. strike '.was settled. .- C ' '•;t THE MANACER INTERVIEWED, ■ ~(nY ißLEonirn—jphess association.) Creymouth, March 25; ... Thero,, are no new" developments in coniiection . with.>strike matters -at-. Blackball. ' 'statement .''.-that v negotiations /'aTe- proceeding for settlement seem to have no founas far as. the local management, is Tho manager, on being -inter-' ■ viewed, states that ho has had no con--1 forenco with tho Union for weeks, and can only;.account; for the statement on the sup-' position that the directors in Chjistchurch ..... might, be, moving in .that- direction. .Tlieire ■ has been no .further meeting of tho Union ; . ind matters .remain .unchanged.:: :'" 1' ■ J THE DEPARTMENT CRITICISED.