MASS MEETING OF STRIKERS.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14475, 2 October 1912, Page 10

MASS MEETING OF STRIKERS.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR PICKETING. (special to "the press.") WAIHI, October 1. At a mass meeting of strikers this afternoon, the chairman announced that the business was to appoint pickets in connection with tho resumption of work at Waihi. and also to near'Mr Fraser, a member of the executive of tho Federation, of Labour. The latter addressed the men. Ho said the Federation approved everything the Waihi men had done, including the decision of those-who had gone to gaol, and-that the Federation were satisfied- that the mine-owners were beaten, but would not give in. Even if the mine-owners admitted defeat, the men now in: gaol would havo to be released before the strike would bo off. The companies were getting outsiders in for the purpose of decoying local man to return to work. In the speaker's opinion the 500 strikers would go to gaol before returning to work under existing conditions. He criticised the police, and added that every -member of the executive was prepared to go to gaol if necessary. An elaborate system of picketing for to-morrow was then arranged, men being appointed to occupy various points in the vicinity of the Waihi mine. The chairman instructed the men not to use violence, but tactics such as calling men "scabs?" etc., were to be indulged in as much as they liked. He said the police were only ■■> waiting the chance of a riot to justify their coming to Waihi. • He asserted that only about threo Waihi Union men were going back to work