Blackball Items

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 87, 8 November 1912, Page 4

Blackball Items

THE HUNTLY VICTIMISED.

BAD VENTILATION

At a well-attended meeting on Sunday, October 27, the following resolution was carried unanimously: "That this meeting of the Blackball Miners' Industrial Union of Workers emphatically and indignantly protests against the action of the Taupiri Coal Co. in deliberately victimising the Executive of Huntly Miners' Union for no other offence than loyally carrying out the duties entrusted to them by the members of their union." Although many adverse opinions are held as to the correctness of members refusing to return to work against tho wishes of their executive, pending the decision of tho Federation executive, yet their spirit and their recognition of responsibility that urged tho rank and file to stand by their executive is a commendable feature necessary in industrial organisation. Tho Blackball Coal Co. is still advertising for miners, yet every now and again men are compelled to stay at home owing to had ventilation. This much-vexed question has been a bone of contention in this district for some considerable time, but as the Coal Mines Act stands at present we havo no form of redress whatever. Practically, it only provides for a sufficiency of air to sweep through main roadways, where horses are employed, not men. —Own' correspondent.