THE BLACKBALL MINERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2144, 20 March 1908, Page 2

THE BLACKBALL MINERS.

NO FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS'. Press Association. OREYMOUTH, March 19. There are no fresh developments at Blackball. The miners held a meeting this afternoon, but nothing was dono of any importance, and no resolutions were put. The manager states that he has had no communication with thermion during the week, and matters 'are at a standstill. He is prepared whenever the miners wish to agree to the terms lie made last week, agreeing to 20 minutes’ crib time.

The Wharf Laborers’ Union have expressed regret at the strike, and disapproval of'the men’s action. Mr. McKellar, of Christchurch, is at present at Blackball making enquiries into the position. Several people from Greymouth have tried to reason with the miners, but have failed, the last being a wellknown clergyman.

A SETTLEMENT PROBABLE. Press Association. WELLINGTON, March 19, Air. P. 11. Hickey, one of the dismissed miners, will arrive in Wellington on Saturday. Arrangements are being made to hold a public meeting in tbo evening, at which lie will be asked to speak on the matters in dispute between the miners union and the Blackball Coal Company. The New Zealand Times lias it from a. reliable authority that certain overtures are now under consideration by the union, Which will permit of a compromise being arrived at in the course of the next few days.

NO ASSISTANCE FROM OTAGO. Press Association. DUNEDIN, March 19. The Otago Trades and Labor Council this evening passed the following resolution in regard to the Blackball strike: “That in view of the fact that this Council believes in the principle of conciliation and arbitration in labor disputes, it cannot see its way to advise the affiliated unions to grant assistance to the Blackball miners.