DISTURBED MINING AREAS

Evening Star, Issue 15035, 18 November 1912, Page 8

DISTURBED MINING AREAS

'** WAIHI. HAVE THE TOLICE TAKEN SIDES? STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER. [Speci/j. to the Star.] AUCKLAND, November 16. The suggestion of the Federation of Labor leaders that the police in Waihi have given special latitude to the workers ■was dealt with to-night by the Minister of' Just-ice in reply to questions by your representative. "The Federation," said the Hon. Mr Herdman, "are deliberately trying to make it appear that Waihi is not tfafe for Federationi3ts or anyone else to live in, but I think that no town to-day in the Dominion is quieter or more peaceful, so far as the Federationists are concerned. Provided they do not molest peaceful citizens, and provided they observe the law-, they will not be interfered with in any way. The suggestion that the police are in any way .assisting Arbitrationists against the Federationjsts is an absolutely false one. The police are simply in Waihi for the purpose of preserving order and protecting property, and in my judgment they are performing their duties in a highly satisfactory way, and with great discretion." The Minister's latest information from the mining town is to the effect that everything is quiet, and that Federationists are still leaving. Constable Wade is progressing favorably. FREDERICK EVANS'S FUNERAL. AUCKLAND, November 17. The funeral procession of the late Frederick Evans, who died ns a result of the trouble at Waihi, look place this afternoon. An orderly crowd of over 3,000 I persons assembled in front of the waterside workers' offices. The coffin was placed on a motor hearse, covered with wreaths, and »s it moved slowly off a great procession of silent sympathisers fell in behind. The majority were on foot, but many vehicles were included in the procession, which was one of the largest of the kind ever seen in Auckland, and was watched by jilent crowds along the route to the cemetery. HUNTLY. SEAT OF TROUBLE CHANGED. LARGE POLICE- REINFORCEMENTS. [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, November 17. _ Of the 460 men employed at the Taupiri mines at Huntly, only 100 can be absolutely counted upon to remain loyal to the company. Of the rest, 160 are '• waverers'' or "a-ailsitters/' and 200 are adherents of the federation. Until Saturday last there was only one constable in Huntly. The feeling of alarm Rccentuated by the methods of intimidation beginning to be employed against the law-abiding section of the miners has led to an appeal to the authorities for extra police protection. Inspector Mitchell and several constables have left here for Huntly. Further police have also been ordered to Huntly from Waihi. WELLINGTON, November 17. Thirteen police constables, with SergeantKelly in charge, left Wellington by special train at 9 o'clock this morning for Huntly, ■where, it is reported, the Federationists are endeavoring to drive the Arbitrationists from the town. WANGANUI, November 17. Four police, making 15 from this district, left for Huntly to-day by the special train from Wellington. REEFTON. SETTLEMENT IN SIGHT. [Per United Press Association.] REEFTON, November 17. A ballot on tho agreement referred to the members of the Inangahua Miners' Union resulted in an overwhelming majority (258 to 105) in favor of ratifying the agreement. Only two places were against agreement—Big River and Waiute." -A good deal of opposition against the agreement was overcome at the end of the week. The Consolidated miners have been getting ready to start work all the week, and it is expected that this coming week will eee a general resumption. The men are already flocking back to work, from all around, and. the general feeling is very j hopeful. Reefton stood the- sis months' trouble, starting on the 18th May and ending on the 16th November, much better than was expected, but latterly the strain was very heavy. The general feeling among the men is that they are glad to get back to jrork, and are sick and tired of trouble. FEDERATIONISTS' RALLY. [Special to the Star.] WELLINGTON, November 18. The Federation of Labor demonstration last night passed off quietly, though Mr Kennedy (acting president of the "Waihi branch) delivered an abusive speech, alleging that the police were guilty of partisanship in favor of the Arbitrationists. The only references to Huntly were contained in a telegram from the "Huntly secretary stating that refugees were flocking in from Waihi, and requesting advice from headquarters, also a remittance of £SO, to assist the refugees. The resolutions included a demand that the inquest on Evans he held in Auckland, alleging that the coroner at Waihi was concerned in the formation of the new union. THE LEGAL ASPECT. WAIHI MINERS' UNION'S RESPONSIBILITY. [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, November 18. Mr O'Regan, legal adviser to the Federation of Labor, has furnished the opinion that the Waihi Miners' Union is a trade tmion duly registered, and is the lawful owner of certain land and buildings, with their contents, at Waihi. Buildings have been broken into by certain persons, who continue in possession, and Mr O'Regan regards the civil position as bevond controversy. _ Even if forcible entry were effected with the approval of the" police, that decs not divest the illegal act of its illegality. The union have a civil remedy, which can be enforced in due course. Mr O'Regan further considers the seizure and publication of private documents factors in determining the question of damages.