SERIOUS MINING DISPUTE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 31

SERIOUS MINING DISPUTE.

DISMISSAL OF SEVEN MEN. GREYMOUTH, February 27. Seven miners were dismissed from the Blackball mine last night. To-day all the men refused to go to work, and the mine is idle. (From Our Own Correspondent ) GREYMOUTH, Fbruary 27. The strike at the Blackball colliery came like a bolt from the blue to the public, but. to those who have been keenly watching developments it occasioned surprise only at matters being brought to a crisis so suddenly. What took place is thus recorded by the special correspondent of the Star : — " Yesterday afternoon! the underground manager visited seven different colliers, and dismissed them without any explanation, such an act, it is alleged, being contrary to an award of the Arbitration Court. An explanation was asked for, which was refused. " A special meeting ot the union was then called for 7.30 o'clock. After the dismissed men had stated their treatment it was decided to refuse to return to work until the seven men were reinstated. A deputation was also appointed to wait on the underground manager and ask for an explanation why these men were dismissed. The answer was that in future the mine would only work eight hours a day, so he could do without the men in question. This, it is contended, is not in accordance with the award. "The deputation later on paid another visit to the underground manager, and informed him of the decision arrived at by the union, and his reply was to the effect that ' that was all he wanted to know.' " The names of ;he wen dismissed are: — P. H. Hackey, T. Milligan, S. Webb, J. Goldsmith, W. Brcmilow, H. Fox, and G. Hunter — all of whom are on the committee of the local branch of the Socialistic party.