HEAVY RETRENCHMENT

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 73, 27 March 1920, Page 6

HEAVY RETRENCHMENT

IN WAIHI SERVICES. CAUSED BY THE STRIKE. A GLOOMY OL-TLOOK. (By Telegraph.- Special to --Star.' \ WAIHI. this day. In view of the almost complete depletion of gold duty consequent upon the strike, retrenchment of a drastic nature has been decided upon by the Waitii Borough Council, and wjll take effect next Wednesday if no setlement has been reached on that date. The scheme of retrenchment includes dispensing with the services of the entire general staff, foreman of works, sanitary inspector, lamplighter, and the whole .-.f'the office staff with the exception of the Town Clerk and typist. The gas manager, collector, turncock, and four stokers will be retained. Street lighting is to be reduced to a minimum. A spe.cial meeting of the Borough Council was held last evening to discuss a proposal to send a deputation to the Premier to the appointment of a commission to endeavour to bring about a settlement. The Mayor said he was convinced it would not be very much use of the Government sending one man to Waihi with a view to settling the dispute. The problem was far too great lor one person. If anything could be done towards a settlement it must be done quickly, and if it were not done quickly it would be too late to do it at all. He considered it wise to get into personal touch with Mr. Massey, and to impress him with the urgency of the case and the need for speed in Government action. He moved in that direction. Cr. Parry, who seconded the motion, said if a settlement was not effected soon very few men would be left in the town. The resolution was carried unanimously. It was further resolved that the Mayor be appointed a delegate to represent the Borough Council. During the discussion a telegram was received from Mr. Mas.-ey. stating that he woujd arrange to meet a deputation on Monday morning. Failing an early settlement of the dispute a general exodus of miners will take place. Mr. Pipe, one of the union representatives, stated that 300 men would go out of town next week if nothir.e were done. He also said it wa= probable that from fifty to a hundred men would bo placed on one job alone in the Tauranga district. Apparently the policy of the leaders i-= to place the men in -work elsewhere if there is no immediate settlement of the strike, and if such a course is carried into full effect the probability of the opening up of the mines again is very remote. Mr. Mathieson -will represent the Chamber of Commerce on the deputation to Wellinston. Mr. H. Poland, member for the district, will probably accompany the delegates.