THE WAIHI MINES.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 251, 26 September 1912, Page 5

THE WAIHI MINES.

WORK BEING RESUMED

[PER press association.]

Waihi, Sept. 25.

The running of 50 of the 200 stampers at the Waihi Company’s Waikino battery, after being idle for over four months, started this morning crushing quartz.

A charge of alleged assault by an arbitrationist named Heath on a woman named Margaret Sell, was heard to-day. The Magistrate entered a conviction with costs £2 17/-.

At a mass meeting of members of the Miners’ Union to-day H. Kennedy and Wesley Richards were appointed president and vice-president pro tern, respectively. It was decided that no one should start work next Wednesday.

DISCUSSED IN THE HOUSE

THE GOVERNMENT CRITICISED

Wellington, Sept. 25. Daring tiie debate in the House of Representatives to-night on the Imprest Supply Bill, Mr. Payne said the actions of the present Government over the Waihi strike would be weighed by the workers at the. next general election. He said the strike was caused by 15 engine-drivers out of forty seceding from the Miners' Union. He said the men sentenced at Waihi could have been sentenced to seven days if it was necessary to sentence them at all, or they could have been warned. The workers had already subscribed £15,000 for the strikers, and they were prepared to continue to subscribe. Mr. Fisher, replying, said that when they came into office they found at Waihi. not capital fighting labour, but labour fighting labour. They found a prosperous town bankrupt, the town paralysed, and women and children suffering. Mr. Payne interjected: They’re glorying in it. Mr. Fisher, concluding, said any of the strikers in gaol could be free to-morrow if they wish. No minority should be allowed to break any law which was made for the benefit of the community . The Government had to see that the law was carried out, and this carrying out of the law’ gave the Government no satisfaction. THE STRIKE A BLUNDER. Mr Robertson expressed the belief that the strike was a blunder, but it was not a difference* between two sections of the Labour party. The strikers believed that the new union was formed with the connivance of the employers, and considered it would tend to destroy the effectiveness of the existing union. He did not think the conduct of the strikers justified the influx of a large body of police. There had been worse conduct at general elections. The dispute at Waihi was between capital and labour, and the police went to Waihi at the request of those interested in the Waihi Company to guarantee the safe employment of free labourers. Mr. Lauronson said Mr. Massey hail blamed the late Government for not ending the strike after it had been in progress two weeks. It was a mistake to send such a large bod'of police. The Federation of Labour had met the shipowners and come to a peaceable agreement, and he noped the strike would be ended with a minimum of bitterness and soreness.

Mr. Anderson said the strike was a mistake, and the men had acted foolishly. He advocated encouraging tiie immigration of men prepared to go upon the land. He could not understand why the State Coal Department had been allowed to continue to be run at a loss. AN ABSURD ACCUSATION.

Mr. Isitt said he thought the Waihi strike had been connived at and fomented by capital. The WaihiCompany knew what was going on. He advocated setting the men free, as they had been warned ; also as an indication that the Government refused to keep them while they infused to work. Mr. Isitt said the totalizator was an engine of national destruction, and he hoped the Government would have the courage of its convictions and resist attempts to increase the number of permits. Mr. IL Smith said the strikers would find that they were very much mistaken if thev thought they were going to domineer over the people sitting on the Government benches.

Mr. Poland said he knew nothing of the statement that owners were behind the engine-drivers at Waihi. The strike arose because the owners refused to meet the men unless they would agree to register an agreement. There was no trying to prevent workers benefiting themselves. He did not believe in strikes.

MINISTERIAL JUSTIFICATION

Mr. Herdman said the Government were perfectly justified in sending the police to M aihi. It was the duty of the Government to see law and order preserved, and not to wait until a riot took place. The. Go-

vernment’s course was justified, and thev would do the same again under similar circumstances. The sending of extra police was a neces-

Mr. Hindmarsh wondered why the Premier had not given the House a lead in the matter. He had seen a deputation wait upon the Premier in connection with a dairv factors in Southland which worked its employees OS hours per week. Mr. Harris said the strike was due to the Federation of Labour and agitation.