THE MEN'S DEMANDS

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

THE MEN'S DEMANDS

COMPANY'S OFFER REFUSED

.GREYMOTJTH, February 28. The strike at Blackball still continues. All work is suspended. f This morning a meeting of the Miners Union was held, when Mr Isdell, of the Labour Department, notified the union that the company was prepared to allow the ir.en to resume work at once, and the dismissed men would be reinstated. The chairman of the union read the resolution passed unanimously at the previous meeting, and sent to the manager, as follows:— "That no member of the union resume work in the mine until the men dismissed are reinstated and the loss of time from the time of dismissal refunded." He pointed out that the last clause was ignored by the manager, and the meeting agreed to hold out. The deputation to the manager informed him that the miners agreed with the proposal to reinstate the men, but in order to prevent the men from being victimised they had decided — " That in the event of the management having to dismiss hands owing to any cause whatever, the men to be dismissed be selected by ballot." The manager refused to agree to this, stating that he wished to keep in the district the married men who had built up homes. The union then unanimously decided not to return to work until some arrangement had been made to prevent the men from ■being victimised. No further development can take place to-morrow, as the meeting was adjourned till Monday at 10 o'clock. The Hon. Mr Millar telegraphed for particulars, so as to judge if a settlement could be arrived at without the intervention of the law. The telegram was not well received.

Mr Lomas, of the Labour Department, teleffrarched that he was leaving Wellington by the first boat. Telegrams of sympathy and offers of support have been received from the Denniston, Brunner, Tyneside, and Granity miners.

Mr Edward Tregear, Wellington, telegraphed his sympathy. Mr H. M. Fitzgerald, Socialist organiser, delivered a speech last night at Blackball, urging the men to stand firm. The township is quiet and orderly.