TROUBLE WITH MINERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1645, 2 December 1916, Page 3

TROUBLE WITH MINERS.

STRIKE AT BLACKBALL. PROTEST AGAINST CONSCRIPTION. Greymonth, Nov. 30. A slop-work meeting of miners at Blackball to-day decided to strike work in protest against (ho Compulsory Service ballot. latter. It is understood that the resolution of the Blackball Union not only applies to members of the Aimers’ Union bur to all men in the Blackball district drawn in the ballot. ALL QUIET ELSEAVHERE. Greymoinh, Nov. 30. The chairman and secretary of ihe Blackball Aliners’ Union waited on the mine manager at Blackball ibis afternoon, informing him that the miners did not intend to resume work until a referendum on the conscription question was taken. The mine was idle all day, no workmen entering the pit. Everything is quiet in the township. At the State mines at Rewanni work proceeded as usual all day, and everything was quiet there, although last evening a meeting of miners was hold, and a resolution passed to ihe effect that if men were conscripted the remainder would down tools. AVork is proceeding satisfactorily on (he waterfront, although many rumours are alloat.

MEN STILL OUT. Christchurch, Dee. I. The secretary of the Blackball Company states that representatives of the Aliners' Federation will meet at Blackball on Sunday to discuss the position. The men will remain out in Ihe meantime.

STRIKE NOT AUTHORISED. ■FEDERATION STATEDENT. The Coalminers’ Federation is at present meeting in Wellington, and a Post reporter sought an official statement with regard to the Blackball trouble. Mr J. Arbuckle, secretary, and Mr li. Semple. agent, made the following joint statement; “Concerning Blackball —-they have taken the initiative on tlicmselves. The executive Ims advised (hem to resume work. With regard to the rumours (hat other mines will stop on Monday, we put the statements down to rumours, winch are not likely to eventuate at present at any rate. Tin- executive is bound to have something- to say before that hajtpens. There is a tremendous feeling' of indignation amongst (lie miners regarding conscription, and a grim determination on llicir part that (heir liberty shall not be encroached on by what they deem to he the evil and unnecessary policy on the part of the Government. We are determined that if anything is done it must he done in a firm and. businesslike way and not spasmodically. We do not encourage sectional action on the part of any union, as this would not he effective,”

WAGES QUESTION KAISER Private advices received in Wellington stale that (lie Blackball miners, in addition to their protest against conscription, are demanding an increase of ITT per ceul. in the minimum wage. The Demdston miners, according 1 to a private telegram, have decided to cease work if any of their own members are conscripted.

MINERS* ENEMP'ITONS. NECESSARY TO RETAIN THE MEN. STATEMENT BY THE HOX. .(AS. A BEEN. .'rising out of the strike of the Blackball miners, the Hon. James Allen (Acting Prime Minister) mad;' a statement to a Post reporter yesterday regarding miners and the ballot. "1 wish to make it perfectly clear,” said the At mister, “that if a man is drawn in the ballot not only has he a rigid to appeal to the Alililary Service Boards, Iml his employer has also the right to appeal. J am very anxious indeed that the coal miners should be retained in the industry, because this is of very great importance to -New Zealand. In order to assist them in their appeals (o (lie Alililary Service Boards, a regulation was published in the Gazette of (1 think) Jnd October, under which the Minister of Munitions —although it slates Minister of Defence in the Gazette—may send a certificate to the Alililary Service Board slating that a miner is required in the industry, and exemption will be granted. I. hope that the coal miners will understand that though they may be called in the ballot we look to them to send in notices of appeal, and the Defence Department will help them in every way.”