THE BLACKBALL TROUBLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2177, 29 April 1908, Page 2

THE BLACKBALL TROUBLE.

FURTHER DISSATISFACTION. A FAYING STRIKE. Press Association. GREYMOUTH,, April 28. Thoro was grout • hope of a sottlomont of tlio Blackball striko oil Saturday, 'ivlien a conforonoo was (held between Alio, .prosidont'and secretary of tho Union, and the Hon. A. R. Guinness and .thominc manager. It had loaked out that tlio* company woro prepared 1 to grant the half-liour orrb timo, and from all appearances nothing remained to keep flip mon on etriko. At tho conference the manager stated that lie was prepared, to grant t.lio minors half an. hour crib timo, provided the mine was worked on tho sarao conditions as before tho striko. Tho Union representatives agreed to accept the manager’s terms ns far os the half-hour crib timo was concerned, but refused to allow itho truokere to work ten hours. Thoy wero prepared to allow two of the truckers,- who had-rcapoii-. siblo positions, to put in. tho extra time, but wanted tho miners to do tho rest of tlio trucking. This tho manager would not agree to, 'as it meant reducing the output of tho mine, and running the risk of accident, owing to allowing men to undertake work they woro unaccustomed to. The manager’s ■ conditions woro put bof ore a meeting of the Union, and it was decided by 64 to 4 not to accept them,, and, to remain out on striko. ‘ Thd decision was arrived at by open voting. It is alleged that Mr. Hickov gave -the miners to understand that they would get just as good support on the trucker question as oh the crib time. Tho only point in dispute was the half-hour, crib time, and now that is settled the men advance tho plea of tho truckers. The truckers before tlio strike were anxious to Work tho overtime, as they received timo and a half for it, but now the Union will not allow them to do so. Since tlio strike commenced between 30 and 40 miners have left Blackball;for fresh fields, .consequently the strike fund is only divided amongst those remaining. It is stated that the sum of £8 10s finds its way into one home weekly. The father gets £1 10s, the mother 10s, four sons (strikers) £1 10s each, and two dhildren 5s each.. One miner gives it out that ho is saving money out of his striko pay.