THE STRIKE AT WAIHI.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXII, 19 June 1912, Page 5

THE STRIKE AT WAIHI.

A FUTILE CONFERENCE

"A FIGHT WITH BARE KNUCKLES"

BY TELEGRAPH- PRESS ASSOCIATION,

WAIHI, June 18. The conference between delegates of the Gold-mine Owners' Association and the Federation of Labor commenced here this afternoon. The former were represented by Messrs C. Rhodes (chairman), H. P. Barry (Waihi), W. Evens (Reefton), D. McArthur (Grand Junction); H. H. Adams (Auckland), H. Stamsfield, and J. McCombie (Karangahake), and J. Pryor (secretary). The Federation representatives were Messrs P. C. Webb (president), R. Semple (organiser-, W. E. Parry (vice-president), P. Eraser (Auckland General Laborers), and G. K. Crowley (president of the Inangahua Miners' Union).

In opening the proceedings the chairman said that they had met in accordance with the request of the Federation of Labor, and the Mine-owners' Association were prepared to hear what the Federation had to saw

In answer to Mr Semple, the chairman said that it was the wish of the mine-owners that the Press should be present. Mr Semple and his colleagues took strong exception to the presence of reporters, but after discussion agreed to waive the point. In reply to Mr Semple, Mr Rhodes made it clear that whatever agreement between the delegates of the Federation and the Association he represented was arrived at, it would have to be a binding one, and that at present he saw no other way to effect this than through 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 cannot submit to you some proposal equally binding as the Arbitration Court, I am to take it that you people are going to insist on an agreement being endorsed In' the Court?

Mr Rhodes: It has got to be that or equally good; Aye know of no other Avay. but it has got to be some solid Avay. 1 don't know that I can make it clearer. The Federation delegates then retired, and on their return Mr Semple said that as far as they were concerned they Avere- not going to be parties to arbitration, and proceeded to make a very long explanation.

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

Mr Semple and Mr Parry said that the officials of the Waihi Company had cognisance of the formation of the Engine-drivers' Union, and had had some hand in its formation.

Mr Rhodes said that the company had neither aided nor abetted in the formation of the Engine-drivers' Union. The sworn evidence of Mr Barry, superintendent of the Waihi Company, and Mr McArthur, attorney for the Grand Junction Company, oh owed that they had no knowledge even that a union Avas being formed until the strike had been declared ; and, further, that no complaint about the union being formed had been mane to the officials of the company. After some discussion Mr Semple said that so far as the Federation was concerned, they avbr e not going to deviate one inch, and were not going to be parties to an agreement such as proposed by tho ot'-'er side.

Mr Web!> said that it was no use wasting further time. It was quite clear that the mine-owners had no intention ot en ten n.«r unon an agreement other than one binding them down as slaves He regretted that nothing had be»i? dope, and would bid them good-bye. Mr Semple said that he had' come there thinking something would be done Ihe gauntlet, however, had been thrown down and though they had the Press and all sections outside of the Avprkinsr-elass against them, yet they had sufficient confidence in tbe workers of the country and of Australia. They would make a bitter fight, and to the end, with the gloves off. They were not as weak as many thought. The gloves were now off and it would be a fight with bare knuckles. Mr Rhodes: All right, sir; we'll lea*-e it at that.. This ended the conference.