OUT OF SYMPATHY WITH THE FEDERATION.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14377, 10 June 1912, Page 5

OUT OF SYMPATHY WITH THE FEDERATION.

{SPECIAL TO "TIIE PRESB.") WAIHI, June 9. Exceptional interest was taken, "n tho mass meeting of miners held on Saturday night, the Union Hall being packed to the doors. Pickets, as usual, patrolled outside tho Hall, the proceedings being conducted in cameraMr* Parry was the first speaker, prefacing his remarks by stating that every member of the Union should endeavour to trace the origin of the information supplied to the Press, which ho r described as "their natural enemies." At the outset of Mr Parry's address, a question was asked by a prominent member of tho Union as to what the Federation had done in reference to the Auckland General Labourers' dispute. > In reply, Mr Parry said that he was surprised to hear such a question .it that " stago of the game," especially coming from tho quarter it did, but Mr Fraser would probably answer the question when ho spoke. Tho tenor of Mr Parry's speech practically constituted an appeal to menbers of the Union to remain solid, and have confidence in the Federation no matter how black the outlook might appear to be. He referred to tho telegram that went astray (viz., that to the Mine Owners' Association), stating that it had been proved to him thai the boy entrusted with such messagos had frequently spent tho money on lollies, and as two or : three were involved on that occasion, tho charge could not be sheeted home to one particular individual.'' In explanation of tho Federation's action in deciding upon a sectional fight, Mr Parry said that such _: a course would enable organisers to stump the country and detail the cause of the strike, and collect funds in order to keep the strike jgping." Ho said he himself would hv prepared , - to - - accept every "bob " forthat purpose. Ho again appealed to the Union to remain firm and solid, and to make a special effort to discover v.'ho the ''scab" was who was giving information to tho Press. Mr Webb was the next speaker, his remarks being much on tho same as the previous speaker- Ho was willing, he said,-if occasion offered to stake his reputation.on the Federation, and he would be honest-enough to declare to this body of workers when the Federation was defeated. Ho appealed to them to trust the executive. Mr Fraser, in his. opening remarks, answered the question put ,to Mr Parry in regard to tho Auckland labourers. Tie was not going to say-whether the Federation had acted wisely or not —he had his own personal views on that mntter —but-ho had implicit confidence in that body, and felt that things would right themselves. Like his colleagues, he emphasised tho fact that it was imperative that tho Union should stnnd solid. During bis address Mr Parry emphatically denied tho statement telegraphed from Auckland that ho had resigned the vice-presidency of tho Federation. Ho went on to say that he was glad to see that a conference had 1 been arranged between tho Federation ! and tho Mine-owners' Association, and that the owners had "backed down" in regard to their statement that tho members of the Miners' Cnion would have to work amicably with tho en-gine-drivers, otherwise tho conference would certainly be abortive. Interjections were very frequent during the proceedings, ami it could be clearly seen that the majority were not in favour of the attitudo adopted by the Federation. Sorno discussion arose as to the question of permits being issued to those leaving tho town, and it was pointed out that the member who proposed at a.-previous meeting "that no member bo allowed to leave the town during the strike without. giving a satisfactory reason for so doing." had left with the permission of the Strike Committee. A menrlier suggested that the title ''distress fund" should be altered to "strike pay," thus enabling every member to claim what he considered his duo right. This suggestion was received with acclamation. A motion was proposed to tho effect "that, this union endorses the actions of the Federation of Labour," and an amendment, "that "no endorsement eorne3 from this union until "after the i strike. , * followed. V I Mr-Parry askod tne mover of the j amendment to withdraw it, and in do-j insr so, sai3: ■ —"Dp not let us appeal to j you to withdraw it, as it would go out > to the" people and the Press that the ' Union had lost confidence in tho Fed-I erntion." j After several others had spoken in! tho same strain, the mover and! eeconder. of tho amendment agreed to withdraw it. The motion" was then about to be put/when , a number of members, including several of the committee, adv'.eod that the proposal also should be! withdrawn, pointing out that, although i not want'fij; ■to vote against the motion, which if defeated would be considered a vote of censure, they could not possibly endorse all the actions of the Federation. The motion was" thon withdrawn. There isnotmnch donKt that had the motion been put to the meeting it would have been defeated.