BLACKBALL DISPUTE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9097, 17 March 1908, Page 5

BLACKBALL DISPUTE.

Press Association

Westport, March 16

Hickey, the Blackball delegate, addressed a meeting of miners at Denniston last night. The men decided to subscribe funds to assist towards the maintenance of women and children at Blackball. It is unlikely that the trouble at Blackball will affect regular working of mines in Westport A .suggestion made at the meeting that miners lay down tools did not meet with any support whatever. Greymouth, March 16. AHneetiug of the Union at Blackball to-day decided to stand firm. Denniston Union has voted £SO to assist.) . . There is no change in the position of affairs at Blackball. . This morning the Miners’ Union hold a meeting and decided to stand firm.' . „ _ n , The State coal miners'are determined not to take part in the trouble, and express themselves^ very much against the attitude of the Blackball men at Tyneside. The men arc blaming the agitators for the trouble. It is understood that the member for the district will visit Blackball to-day to talk over the matter with the miners in view to a settlement. Tiie mine manager forwards the following telegrams to the Argus for publication, stating that they have been held back, as it was thought the men would return to work today, but, siucegthey have not, he is compelled to give publicity; “Blackball Coal Co., Christchurch.— It is imperative that you find Mr McCullough (of the Arbitration Court), and ask him if he informed the miners that the manager would make a public statement in Court after the verdict, that lie would not victimise the men; ask his reason for giving information that tio manager gave his word of honour, but no public statomenG was promised or mentioned at the conference on Thursday afternoon.— James Leitch Blackball.’’

The following reply has been received :—“Mr McCullough denies having informed the miners that yon would make a statement in Court. He has wired the Union, stating that his recollections of the conference is that you—having already made a promise in such a public manner a statement by you in Court was agreed to.