MINERS ON STRIKE.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXII, Issue 2790, 15 May 1911, Page 3

MINERS ON STRIKE.

THE RHONDDA VALLEY

AFFAIR

The strike in the Rhondda Valley, South Wales, has been in progress for about eight months, and has involved a loss of over to the employers and the workers. Hundreds of families have been reduced to a state of

semi-starvation. About 12,000 miners were concerned in the original strike,

and comparatively few of them have resumed work. The mass of the men have refused all offers of mediation. At the end of March there was a renewal of the rioting which caused

trouble to the authorities last year,

The union executive decided, at the

instance ot the Miners' Federation, to

take a ballot on a proposal to accept terms offered by the mine owners, and a small army of the strikers showed their disapproval by making an attack on the Clydach Vale Colliery. They took up a position on the hills overlooking the colliery, and commenced to roll down huge boulders on the buildings, doing considerable damage. When charged by a large body of police, the strikers fought furiously, and by sheer dint of numbers and volleys of stones drove the police back. The guardians of the law secured reinforcements, and by the free use of their batons cleared the hill-side. During the retreat the strikers swept through the houses ot several "scabs," smashing windows, doors and furniture. On the following day the miners attacked the Clydach colliery in stronger force, and were dispersed after a fierce engagement with the police. Disorders continued for several days, at Blaes Clydach a special demonstration was made against a butchery firm, which had offended in some manner. The strikers set fire to the shop and prevented the

fire brigade approaching until the place had been gutted. Then they stole all the portable property remaining, and marched down the street, until they came to a confectioner's shop, which they looted, apparently in sheer wantonness. The ballot resulted in a majority vote in favour of continuing the

strike