FARCICAL STRIKE BALLOT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1087, 28 March 1911, Page 5

FARCICAL STRIKE BALLOT.

» GILBERTIAN METHODS. INTIMIDATION OF MINERS BY OFFICIALS. A LONG-DRAWN STRUGGLE. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyriclit (Rec. March 27, 11.45 p.m.) London, March 27. Writing of the rioting in 'Wales in connection with the mining strike, the Ton-y-Pandy correspondent of "Tho Times" describes as Gilbertian the inward working of the strike leaders in agreeing to hold a ballot on the question of accepting the masters' terms, which were ignominiously rejected. They were compelled to hold the ballot lest the strikers should lose the strike pay contribution from the British Miners' Federation. It was arranged to hold the ballot concurrently with the distribution of the funds, and the strikers received with their strike pay a perforated card, one half marked for, and the othor against the proposal. The men were instructed to display the unused half in their caps, and the Strike Comriiitteo supplied pins to attach tho tickcts to caps. Militant leaders were stationed at the voting booths to see that this was done. Tho correspondent adds that a more ingenious and effective form of intimidation it would be hard to imagine. Out of twelve thousand strikers, two thousand boys were not allowed to go to the poll, and nearly three thousand adults were absent seeking work elsewhere. The strikers are drawing food stuffs and necessaries from the tradesmen on credit. They are said to consider the strike pay as pocket money, and do not pay their rent. "HONOURABLE PEACE REJECTED." FAIR OFFER REFUSED. (Rec. March 28, 0.20 a.m.) i London, March 27. The "Daily Chronicle" says it is unable to understand the Cambrian Combine miners, in their rejection of an honourable peace. Their earnings are slightly above what is paid the rest of those employed on tho coalfield, and the companies have offered to meet exceptional cases. Mr. Llewellyn, the manager of the Cambrian Combine, is ready to investigate and settle the matter of the rate fctr, and definition of, abnormal places in the mines with tho miners' agent.