THE BLACKBALL STRIKE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9087, 4 March 1908, Page 5

THE BLACKBALL STRIKE.

Press Association. Reef ton, March 3. The Westland Trades and Labour Council met this.morning. Some Blackball miners spoke at the meeting. The decided opinion of the Council was'that the Blackball men had been discharged without reasonable excuse. Further the Council strongly urged on the Minister the necessity of immediate moral and financial support for the Blackball Union. The struggle and the methods of the Arbitration Court were fully criticised and some speakers advocated a general strike, but this opinion did not find favour. Matters; in connection with the strike atj Blackball were quiet today, and therehis a deadlock. The conference with" Messrs Lomas and Torment was fruitless, and the [men are still determined to stand firm and await the results. The manager, Mr Leitch, was in town to-day, and on being interviewed stated that the company could do no more. He, as manager, did not use bad language in dismissing the men, but quite the reverse. He felt sure if Fitzgerald and one or two other agitators were out of Blackball the men would listen to reason. As it was at present the agitators were causing great discontent. The township of Blackball is quiet, and no rowdyism is reported. It is rumoured in town to-day that if the strike is not settled to-morrow the-Government will take immediate action. . „ „

AN ABORTIVE CONFERENCE. Per Press Association. Greymouth.jMarch 3. The conference at. Blackball last night again proved abortive. Everything has been arranged, except the ballot proposal, in which both sides are determined not to give way.