THE MINERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15968, 29 June 1912, Page 12

THE MINERS.

UNIONS AND FEDERATION OF

LABOUR. THE TEN PER CENT LEVY. [Per-Press Association.] AUCKLAND. June 23. Interviewed to-day, Mr Arthur Rosser, secretary of the Tramways Lnion, said ho was not yet in a position to state definitely how members are responding to the decision of the union to strike a two-Shilling levy per head. A sum of close on £SO, the balanco of a fund raised to aid the Lithgow strikers, bad been forwarded direct to the Federation Strike Fund. So far as the two-shilling collections were concerned, Mr Rosser had personally come in contact with only one section of the union at Epsom barn. Out of 131 members, seven had been unwilling to make any contribution to the strike fund. Returns from four other collectors had still to come in, and Mr Rosser expected that the number of refusals would bo proportionately the same as in the case of tho list already completed. There were a few of the men who were willing to giro to the Reefton fund, but did 'lot want to give to Waihi. Mr Rosser resented very strongly the opinion of one disaffected individual being taken as representing the opinion of a majority of members of tho union. It was absolutely untrue, he said, that the levy was being evaded by a large percentage of members. There was no sign of any desire to break away from the Federation and to form a new union under the Arbitration Act-

Mr C. TV. Arns, secretary of tho Labourer' Union, said that th 0 response to tho 10 per cent levy imposed in aid of tho strike fund had exceeded his most sanguine expectations. Tho levy had been decided upon by a big majority of those present at a meeting called Cor tho purpose, and the majority were paying up readily. There wore, of course a few who were unwilling, and thero were also many from whom no contribution could reasonably be expected, but taking the union as a whole, the feeling of loyalty to the Federation was undiminished.

ATTITUDE OF AUCKLAND TRAMWAYMEN. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Juno 28.

The fact that many members of the Auckland Tramways Union are evading payment of the 2s per week levy struok to nssist the Waihi and Reefton strikers was recorded in to-day's "Herald." An effort lias been made to refute the statements, which were obtained from several of the men concerned, but full confirmation of them was secured from other quarters. The first levy taken up last week was by no means unanimously responded to, some of the men refusing point-blank to pay and others only doing so under protest. There are about 150 motormen and conductors in the traffic department, and of these only about 121 paid the levy last week. At Epsom Barn out of thirty-six hands only niuo paid the 2s. The other twenty-seven declined to do so. To-day the collector at Epsom Barn met with even less succcfs on taking up the second week's levy. Only four or the thirty-six employees paid tlie 2s, no fewer than thirty-two refusing to do so. Complete figures from other branches of the Union are not yet available, but thero is reason to believe that some who paid last week declined to do so this week. All the men paid their ordinary contributions, tho levy being tho only stumbling block. Despite the reports of supporters of the Federation of Labour to give the impression that tho levy is being paid, the fact remains that in many cases it is not, and in many others members of the Union are only induced to pay because they object to being called "scabs."

Anti-Federation feeling is daily becoming more marked amongst all brandies of the Union, as was made abundantly clear in the course of further investigations to-day. A strong desire exists amongst the married employees especially, that they should break away from the federation and secure an agreement under the Arbitration Court. "We want to feel that we can depend upon our wages," said one of the men who has a large family to keep. He is paying the levy, by the way, simply in order to retain a voice in the proceedings of the Union. "You see," he went on, "many of us have got our homes"together, and some have mortgages to pay off. and we cannot afford to be always at the risk of being called out on strike. Not only that, but our wives dare not count upon the few spare shillings a week we used to have to spend, now that these levies can bo imposed at the will of the Federation. What we want is security in our jobs, an agreement that will make them certain for two or three years at least."

' ; If wo could have a ballot taken tomorrow." said another member of the Union. "wc could get a two to one vote in favour of breaking away from the Federation. We are all financial members of the Union, but a lot of us absolutely will not pay this levy, and they can do What they like about itWe are good Unionists, too, do not make any mistake about that." Not only is there a movement amongst the motormen and conductors to secede from the Federation, but it was learned that some of the employees at the barns and power-house and on the permanent way, are talking of forming a separate Union, .so that they may escape from the control of the Federation.

A WAIHI MEETING. [Pes Pbfjss Association.] WAIHI, June 28. Mr Joseph Foster addressed a public meeting this evening, his subject being the trouble, in Waihi and statements made by tlio leaders of the Federation. There was an attendance of about 800. At the outset it wa.s evident that art ion had been determined upon by a very large section of the meeting to break up the proceedings. The appearance on the platform of 33r Wallnutt (the chairman) and Mr Foster was greeted with an outburst of " Bo> boos." and some minutes elapsed before the chairman could make himself heard. After several attempts the chairman briefly introduced Mr Foster, and explained the object of the meeting. The vice-president of the Union asked if a Union member could take the platform to reply to Mr Foster. The chairman" said that questions could he asked, but the platform oould nor be occupied by members of the audience.

The reply acted almost magically. Immediately a great exodus occurred, and in a few minutes the large building was more than half empty, a number of women making their exit with the men. This gave tho impression that a majority of thp miners are not yet seeking a settlement of the dispute. Mr "Foster then proceeded with his address, slating that ho and many others had suffered as n result of the ill-advised action of one man in causing tho cessation of mining operations. Federation of Labour delegates had visited the district and informed the strikers that thev would bring about a satisfactory solution, but their attempt to do so had proved abortive. They had met the mine-owners' representatives in conference, but. could point no way to a binding agreement and had left the district and the people to face tho position, leaving behind n hazy assurance that all would be well in the end if tho dispute was left in the hands of the Federation executive. It had been clearly shown that the Federation could not solve the problem, and it was for the right-thinking members of the Waihi Union to insist on steps towards a settlement by de-

raandiug a ballot of members on the question of cutting adrift from the Federation, and adopting legal methods with a view to a solution. This could be done by appointing, say, four or live of their members to confer with the mine-owners and drawing up an agreement which could then be ratified by the Arbitration Court. The Federation, in its dying struggle, had fallen back on that imuuitous organisation known as the "1.W.W.," which advocated destructive methods in coping with disputes.

[Fkom Oue Correspondent.] _ GREYMOUTH, June 28. Dissension exists in the ranks of the members of the State Coal Miners' Union over the payment of the ten per eent levy. A section of the men refuse to pay. and the other portion ol the Union has become very irritated and threatens all sorts of pains and penalties unless all agree to contribute according to the Federation's decree. The upshot of the matter has been a demand that the recalcitrants shall pay the levy at to-day's pay. Failing this demand being complied with, the Union will hold a special meeting on Sunday to consider the matter, with a view to enforcing payment. A strike is freely talked of as likely to eventuate on Monday next unless all members pay the levy. [Per Press Association.]

REEFTON, June 28. A number of shift bosses and members of the 3taff of the Energetic and other mines have been concentrated at the Energetic, and the company, by their means, is getting out stone. It is expected that road work will be finished in ten days, when some seventy men will be rendered idle. WELLINGTON, June 28. Mr P. Hickey, representing the Federation of Labour, left for Australia by the Moana to-night. His mission is to approach the Australian Unions with the object of securing financial assistance in connection with the Waihi strike and Reefton dispute.