THE BLACKBALL TROUBLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2164, 13 April 1908, Page 2

THE BLACKBALL TROUBLE.

DISCONTENT AMONG STRIKERS. UNION EXECUTIVE RESIGNING. (Press Association.) . THAMES, April 11. •Members of tho Thames Minors’ Union met last night to discuss tho position of the Blackball strikers, and to decide whether assistance should bo given. Tho mooting was not onen to tho press, but it is understood it has boon decided to ro-. commend tho executive to grant assistance. WELLINGTON, April 11. Tho Wellington Trades and Labor Council has invited all local unions to send financial assistance to the Blackball miners. Tho invitation, it is stated, is being responded to by almost every union, some sending lump sums of £5 weekly so far, but one union has written refusing to subscribe. 5 ~ GREYMOUTH, April 11. There is a good deal of discontent among strikers at Blackball owing to tho fact that the executive kept back a wire, from Mr Tregear offering terms of settlement. One of the strikers, writing to the Grey Argus, exposes the whole matter, which the secretary of the Union demos. The executive have received a warm time from the local press and public, and ifc is stated that they have decided to resign. A meeting will be held to-day to receive their resignations. A requisition was presented to the secretary of tho Wharf Laborers Union to-day, duly signed, asking that an extraordinary mooting be called to consider the question of continuing support to the strikers. The meeting is to ho held Sunday morning. when a resolution to rescind giving support will be moved, week tho 'Wharf laborers contributed £l7, this being 5 per cent of wages earned A 11

CHRISTCHUItCH, April 11. The special correspondent of tire Lyttelton Times at Greymouth. reports that tiro executive of the blackball Miners’ Union have withheld from the men the proposals submitted to them for a settlement of the difficulty, and, m fact, even when asked, refused to produce for the men’s information an important telegram which would probably have led to a settlement some tune ago. T*lkj report further states that iiic* key was sent North to collect money and to confer with others, This is interpreted here to mean that as long as unions in other districts will subscribe money to support the executive in idleness, they discourage any attempt at effecting a settlement of the difficulty. . The Lyttelton Times points out that the miners wore being wantonly incited to continue the strike by their own leaders. , .. .. WELLINGTON, April 11. The Post is authorised to state that the Government was not prnp’ to the letter sent by Mr Tregear to the Blackball Miners’ Union.

SLAVES OR FREEMEN? MINERS DETERMINED TO STAND FIRM. TYNESIDE WORKERS WITHDRAW SUPPORT. Press Association. GREYMOUTH, April 12. On Saturday, the executive of the Blackball Miners’ Union sent in their resignations. As a meeting had been called, the members rolled up, and an election was taken, the old executive with the exception, of Mr. Barnhill, offering themselves for re-election. The reason given for Mr. Barnhill S abstention was tliat as ho works on the Ngahere-Blackball railway he found it was very inconvenient for him to give the time to the duties of his office as president. The followin" officers were nominated and declared elected: President, Fox; vicepresident, Buchanan; secretary, Regers ; committee, Meecliam, Webb, Hall, Milligan, W. Leech, and Richards. The following telegram to secretary Rogers was read: “Tregear wishes that his position no dealt with by the executive. —Hickey.” A wire from Pritchard to Rogers was also read as follows: “Don’t resign; despite traitors, 'keep i solid front and victory will be ours; don’t heed the clamorings of a few creatures who would rather be slaves than freemen. Yours in the cause of union and justice.—Pritchard.” It was also decided to continue the strike and remain firm in the demand for half an hour crib-time. It is reported that over £3OO was distributed in strike pay on Saturday, the basis of payment being thirty shillings for a man, 10s for a wife, and 5s for a child. One miner lifted £3 10s for the week. The Tyneside Miners’ Union met on Saturday, and rescinded the resolution agreeing to give support to tho strikers. The Wharf Laborers’ Union met this morning to consider the question of withdrawing support, but the press was not admitted, and all information as to the result was withheld.