WAIHI MINERS' DISPUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 65, 17 March 1919, Page 5

WAIHI MINERS' DISPUTE.

MINE OFFICIALS' MISTAKE. GOOD PROGRESS MADE. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") WAIHI, this day. A mass meeting of members of the Ohinemuri Mines and Batteries' Union was held in the Miners' Union Hall yesterday afternoon in connection .with "the dispute relative to certain men having been exempted from joining the union. There were about 400 present, and Mr. Pipe, president of the union, presided. In the course of a lucid speech Mr. Harle. Giles placed the facts of the dispute before members. He said that at a conference in November last an industrialsagreement was made between mine ' owners and the Miners' Union, with the understanding that certain men should lie exempted, but the bulk of the members of the union were not acquainted with the position owing to an unintentional mis«" take on the part of the , president and secretary, who were manly enough to admit it. The president said he was prepared to tender his resignation. It was the only thing to do under the circumstances. Mr. Jude (secretary) said they had made an error in thinking the question of exemption had been dropped at -the conference, and in not having the position put down in black and white. He exonerated other delegates from blame in the matter. He had his resignation to the committee, but wanted •_ vote taken at once, for, unless he had the confidence of members, he would not carry on.

Mr. Brown urged that the union should first endeavour to bring the exempted men in, and then deal with the president and secretary. Mr. O'Connor (one of the union delegates at the conference) held that the delegates had not agreed to exemptions.

Mr. Giles said he thought it had been established beyond all question that exemption had been granted. A blunder bad been made, and it was no use-making qualifications. He said if they left the matter in bis bands he would" again view the eight men standing out and make a big effort to induce them to come in now -that their' position had "been set right in the eyes of members aud of the public. (Applause.) Mr. Morcott (a member of the committee) said if the men came in that would settle the dispute; if not, then the dispute was still on. .-'; The president said his resignation would be handed in on Tuesday next. On the motion of Mr. Morcott, a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Giles for the able manner in which he had brought the dis--1 pute to a head was carried by acclamation. - - . I j The meeting was most orderly. ! Mr. Giles meets the exempted men at ; 4.30 p.m. to-day, and the union executive this evening. Tt is understood, from the exempted men's standpoint, that the trouble, is not likely to be settled until the secretaryand- president arc out of office. Neither. of these resignations have yet been dealt with.