STRIKE FAVOURED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 185, 7 August 1935, Page 9

STRIKE FAVOURED.

MARTHA G.M. COMPANY

SECRET BALLOT AT WAIHI. SETTLEMENT STILL POSSIBLE. (By Telegraph.—OTfS Correspondent.) WAIHI, this day. By 507 voles to 52 the decision to strike was made by members of the Ohinemuri Alines and Batteries Union and South Auckland Engine Drivers and Winders' Union at a secret ballot which was held in the Waihi Borough Council chambers and at the Victoria battery, Waikino, in consequence of the failure to settle the industrial dispute with the Martha Gold Mining Company (Waihi), Ltd.

Tho total number of workers concerned is approximately 500, of whom 550 are members of the Millers' Union and 40 of the Engine Drivers' Union. Details of the voting are as follow:

Miners' Union: For strike, 470; against, 45; majority in favour of strike, 434.

Engine Drivers' Union: For strike, 2S; against 7; majority in favour of strike, 21. Totals: In favour of strike, 507; against, 52; majority in favour of strike, 455. The ballot was conducted by Mr. F. Wilson, of the Labour Department, under the provisions of the Labour Disputes Investigation Act, 1013, after all efforts to reach a settlement had failed. The Act provides for further negotiations between the parties to the dispute if desired and seven days' notice is required "before definite action is taken in the direction of a strike. Dispute Heard in Auckland. The dispute between the company and the carpenters and engineers in its employ is being heard by a Laboui Disputes Committee in Auckland to-day, Mr. W. Wallace, of Auckland, being the chairman. It is understood that the men will continue working under tho present conditions and that the feeling is not to strike if an agreement can be reached, as the door still remains open for further negotiations between the parties to the dispute.