THE BLACKBALL STRIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 395, 28 March 1908, Page 3

THE BLACKBALL STRIKE.

Dunedin, March 25. W. K. Pritchard, 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 in Dunedin this evening. When interviewed he said the Union would certainly be unanimous in sticking out for what it has demanded. Workers were determined not to go back to work until they were conceded half an hour for crib. He was positive the men would go to gaol in preference to paying the fine. Subscriptions received to date as result of addresses amounted to just on Mr Pritchard pays his own expenses. He made a statement that from private information he was possessed of, and which he was not in a position 10 divulge, he would not be surprised if he received a wire at any time that the strike was ended. Greymouth, March 25.

There are no new developments in connection with strike matters at Blackball. The statement that negotiations are proceeding for settlement seem to have no foundation as far as the lacal management is concerned. The manager on being interviewed, states that he has had no conference with the Union for weeks, and can only account for the statement that the directors in Christchurch might be moving in that direction. There has been no further meeting of the Union and matters remain unchanged. Wellington, March 27.

Information has been received here that negotiations for the settlement of the Blackball strike have fallen through. Instructions have been given to the Labour Department to collect the fine of imposed on the Union by the Arbitration Court. Failing payment by the Union, the men will be proceeded against individually until the amount is collected.