THE BLACKBALL STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 83, 27 March 1908, Page 2

THE BLACKBALL STRIKE.

RUMORS OF IMPENDING SETTLEMENT DENIED.

FEARS OF THE STRIKE SPREADING

OTHER (JXION,S HOLDING MEETINGS.

Per Press Association. Greyuiouth, Lust Night, Tlhmc arc persistent rumors tli.it negotiations are proceeding for a settlement, and that in n few d.iys the atrike will be settled. On being interviewed, the manager states as far as he knows such is not tho case, anil tho miners deny any know ledge of what is going oil. There is a feeling abroad that th< strike will spread. The Blaekb.ll uniOi has appealed to the Tyneside miners a»< the Wharf Laborers' Union to ct'aSe work. The Tyneside miners are holding a meeting on Saturday afternoon to consider tile matter. Au old miner, one wiio lias worked in Uie district for many years, states tli .i there is a good deal of discontent among the Tyneside miners, and he would not be surprised if they considered tlie Blackball request favorably. The cause of complaint with the Tyneside miners is tint Blackball boats art buing supplied with Tyneside coal. The result, of the meeting on Saturday will be anxiously awaited. The Grey wharf laborers meet on Sunday afternoon, and the. position will be considered. From interviews witli several prominent wharf laborers there appears no ] reason to believe they will ''thrown down their tools" as requested by the Blackball miners. The position looks serious, and tho Blackball minors are as determined as ever. If negotiations for a settlement are proceeding, it looks peculiar that 'otters should be went to the Tynenido ■Diners and wharf laborers asking them ,o strike.

SYMPATHETIC RESOLUTIONS.

Wellington, Last Night. Mr. Hickey, representing tlie Blackball Miners' Union, addressed about 200

people in the concert room of tlie Town Hall this evening in explanation and defence of the stand taken up by the strikers. Resolutions were passed as follows:—(1) That this meeting endorses tlit action of the miners of Blackball in the stand they have mnd«, and trusts they will continue to hold that stand until they have secured their full rights; (2) that this meeting pledges itself to prevent the strikers of Blackball being starved out; (J) that this nu'itting has no confidence in any laws placed on the .Statute Book to the making of which tho workers are not consulted.

The sum of £1 10s was collected i the hall for the maintenance of the mil ars' families.