THE BLACKBALL STRIKE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9047, 24 March 1908, Page 5

THE BLACKBALL STRIKE.

REFUSAL TO PAY THE FINE. ACTION OF MINERS SEVERELY COMMENTED ON. ARBITRATION COURT SET AT DEFIANCE. ET TET.KftRAVH —rRESS ASSOCIATION. GREYMOUTH, March 23. A meeting of the Blackball Miners' Union was held this morning, at Blackball, when an extraordinary resolution was carried not to p? y the £75 fine imposed by the Arbitration Court, and to completely ignore the whole matter. It was further decided not to go to work until half an hour's crib time was allowed. The action of the miners is severely commented on in town, and regret felt that they are so ill-advised. The meeting was determined not to give way, but to fight the position to an end. Very severe remarks were made on the Arbitration Court, and as a protest which will be felt the miners decided to set it at defiance. The time fixed by the Government for the payment of the fine was up to day, and it will be interesting to see what action the Government/will take. It is also stated that Hickey has not paid the fine imposed on him some weeks ago by the Magistrate in connection with disobedience at the Blackball mine.

The Brut.ner Workers' Union has donated £2l out of its funds, and gives £3O a week until the trouble is settled. Some of the married men are getting work at, the Paparoa and Ngahere railway works. The Brunnsr Union has passed the following resolution: — "That the Hon. J. A. Millar (Minister of Labour) be informed that this Union has no confidence in the constitution of the Arbitration Court, and strongly urges him to pass .legislation to amend the same." The action of the Miners' Union to-day in refusing to pay the fine removes all hopes of an early settlement of the trouble. Business people in 'town state that they can feel the effects of the strike at Blackball, and they are not willing to send out goods on credit. The Blackball storekeepers have already stopped credit. The miners have received the first I strike pay, £1 being distributed to each man. JNVERCARGILL, March 23. At the annual meeting of the Southland Trades and Labour Council the Blackball strike was discussed, but no action was taken, the general opinion expressed being that the Arbitration Act must be preserved and upheld. WELLINGTON, March 23. The (Wellington Trades and Labour Council discussed the Blackball trouble to-night. A resolution was passed that the demand for half an hour's crib time is just and reasonable. It was also resolved that the Council recognises that, according to the decision of Mr Justice Sim, the employers have the light under the law to discriminate against unionists, and that until the law is amended, so as to render adequate protection to the workers, the unionists cannot do otherwise than protect themselves. The sum of £4 was collected in the room, and it was decided to circularise the unions for monetary assistance.