THE PROSPECTS FOR TO-MORROW.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14474, 1 October 1912, Page 7

THE PROSPECTS FOR TO-MORROW.

(SPECIAL TO "THE PKESS.") WAIHI. September 30. "Wo are on the eve of a great battle between the mining companies and the Federation," were tho words of a local FederationLst the other day when referring to the Waihi Company's announcement that the niino would bo open for work on Wednesday next, October2nd, and certainly every pereon in Waihi, whether Arbitratiomst or Federationist, is looking forward to Wednesday morning with great expectations. The reported utterance of Mr Glover, secretary of the Federation, that suitable men cannot be procured, "only a few big boys and old men." is likely to be very much exploded by 8 a.m. on Wednesday, as is also Mr Semplo's statement that the "boss" is the only person going to work on that morning. It is anticipated that once "tho ice has been broken" on Wednesday, there will be quite an influx of tho workers who left shortly after tho strike commenced. There are also scores of local men waiting to get back, but who are too frightened at tho prosent time to make a bold move, especially after receiving strike pay for so long. Once the back of tho strike has been broken, however—and it promises well for Wednesday—these men will not bo slow to act.

The utter futility of continuing the struggle with no hope of victory has been brought home to a good many of the men, and they now recognise that industrial ■strife is likely to exist ns Jong ns the 1.W.W., principles exist and flourish, with no other result than keeping long-winded agitators in fat billets.