THE WAIHI CONFERENCE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 June 1912, Page 3

THE WAIHI CONFERENCE.

KOSEirLtMENT AWED AT.

(by press association.) WAIHI, June 18. The conference between the delegates from the Gold-Miners’ Association, and the Federation of Labour commenced here this afternoon. ■ The former were represented by Messrs, C. Rhodes (chair), H. P- Barry (Waihi), A. W. Evans (Reefton), D. McArthur (Grand Junction), H. H. Adams (Auckland), H. Stansfield and J. McCombie (Karangahake), and J. Pryor (secretary). The Federation representatives were : —Messrs P. C. Webb (President), R. Semple (Organiser), W. E. Parry (VicePresident), P- Fraser (Auckland General Labourers), G. R. Crowley (President Inangahua Miners’ Union). PRESS ADMITTED. In opening the proceedings the chairman said they had met in accordance with the request of the Federation of Labour and the Mine Owners’ Association was prepared to hear what the Federation had to say. In answer to Mr. Semple, the chairman said it was the wish of the .mineowners that the press should be present. Mr. ' Semple and his colleagues took strong exception to the presence of reporters. He said that the frequent misrepresentation of press reports, particularly at such meetings as the. present would lead to further misunderstandings and create greater antagonism among all parties and the public generally. After further discussion Mr. Semple said that rather than that the conference should end at that stage he and his colleagues would waive the point.

AGREEMENT MUST BE BINDING

In reply to Mr. Semple, Mr. Rhodes made it clear that, whatever the agreement between the delegates of the Federation and the Association he represented, it would have to be a, binding one, and that at present ne sew no other way to effect this than through the medium of the Arbitration Court. If the Federation delegates could find a way that would be equally binding then they would be glad to consider it. Mr. Semple; If we canot Submit to you some proposal equally binding as the Arbitration Court, am I to take it that you people are going to insist on an agreement being endorsed by th* Court ?”

Mr. Rhodes : “It has got to be that or equally good. We know of no other way, but it has got to be some solid way. I don't know that. L can make it clearer.”

Mr. Semple said it was a very important point, that he would ask the delegates to explain their reasons for deviating from the present system which he maintained had worked so well.

Mr. Rhodes said that Mr. Semple Should surely know that there was only one reason and that was that tha present agreement did not bind anybody. FEDERATION REFUSE ARBITRATION. The Federation delegates then retired. On their return, Mr. Semple said that as far as they were concerned they were not going to be parties to arbitration, and he proceeded to make a very long explanation.

Mr. Rhodes reiterated the condition that the only binding agreement, as far as could be seen, would be under the Arbitration Act.

CHARGE AGAINST THE COMPANY

Messrs Semple and Parry said that the officers of the Waihi Company had cognisance of the formation of the Engine Drivers’ Union and had had some hand in its formation. It was clearly their duty to prevent the formation of a union in face of the existing agreement. Mr. Semple contended that the local Companies had broken the agreement in spirit, and were responsible for the present trouble, The Union had kept their compact in every way. He further contended that the Waihi Company had aided and abetted the formation of the new Union.

Mr. Rhodes, replying, said the Com? pnny had neither aided nor abetted the formation of the Engine Drivers’ Union. The sworn evidence of Mr. Barry, Superintendent of Wajhi Company, and Mr. McArthur, attorney to the Grand Junction Company, showed that they had up knowledge that even a union was being formed until the strike had been declared, and further that no com* plaint about a union being formed had been made to the officers of the Company.

THE FEDERATION AND AGREE-

MENTS,

Paring discussion it was pointed out that representatives of the Federation had declared that they did not respect agreements arid that they could be thrown aside. Mr. Hickey’s name was mentioned in this connection. Mr, Semple replied that such ideas were not entered into by the Federation. Mr .Hickey had not been an official of the Federation lor the past three years. His organisation eoirld not be held responsible for the utterances of an individual. . Referring again to the Engine Drivers’ Union, Mr. Semple said that the Union was in a minority and that they tried to coerce a majority. FEDERATION WILL NOT BUDGE. He Concluded that, as far as they were concerned, they were not going to deviate one inch and were not going to be parties to an agreement such as was proposed by the other side, Air. Rhodes said that in their not finding a way of making an agreement binding, as required by his Association, ; he would submit the following as agreed by his Association: ‘‘ln respect to any agreement, that it be a condition precedent to any negotiation for a settlement of any existing differences between the members of the Gold Mine Owners' Association and any of their employees, that any organisation of with whom an agreement iS proposed shall be a body registered under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act.” THE REEFTON DISPUTE. Th matter of the Reefton dispute was discussed at some length. Mr. Crowley intimated that, as regards agreements bound only by respective signatures thereto, that they would rather take the risk than have such registered under the Arbitration Act. THE POPPER DRILLS. In answer to Air. Pryor, Mr. Evans said that in South Africa, Alexico, the United States, Canada, and at

MR. SEMPLE THROWS DOWN THE GAUNTLET. BOTH SIDES WILLING FOR THE- FRAY.

Otira Tunnel (New Zealand) the popper drills were worked by one man. , The two-man drill weighed 490 lbs. and the drill 72 lbs. Mr. Sempff alleged that the popper drills were not used in Australia. He contended that the weight of the drill had nothing to do with it. They were concerned with the health and lives of the workers. Mr. Webb said it was no use wasting further timeIt was quite clear that the Mine Owners had no intention of entering upon an agreement other than binding them down as slaves. He regretted that nothing had been done and would bid them good-bye. The Chairman said he wished to ««ny a statement by Mr. Parry that popper drills were not used singlehanded in Waihi. He had a statement to the contrary. A FIGHT WITH BARE KNUCKLES. Mr. Semple said he had come there thinking something would be done. The gauntlet, however, had been thrown down and though they had the press and all sections outside the working class (including a small section of the latter) against them, yet they had sufficient confidence in the working-classes of the country and of Australia, and they would make it a bitter fight to the end with th» gloves off.

They were not as weak as many thought. Th© gloves were not oc and it would be a fight with bare knuckles. Mr. Rhodes ; "All right, sir. We’ll leave it at that.” This ended the conference. MASS MEETING OF STRIKERS. WAIHI, This Day. At a mass meeting of strikers last night the speakei's were greeted with considerable applause at the conclusion of thenaccounts of proceedings of the conference with the Mine Owners’ Association held yesterday. NO GENERAL STRIKE IN THE MEANTIME. In the course of a lengthy address by Mr R. Semple, he is reported to have stated that the position would again be discussed by the Executive of the Federation to decide upon the course of action and also to give the impression that the fight would be confined to the Waihi, the Federation would not call for a general cessation of work in the meantime.