THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 16048, 1 October 1912, Page 7

THE WAIHI STRIKE.

RESUMPTION OF WORK.

COMMENCEMENT ON WEDNESDAY. •

ATTITUDE OF THE UNION. [From Ocr Correspondent.] AUCKLAND, September 30. More men, miners and others, whose intention it is to begin work at tho mines on Wednesday, are expected at Waihi to-night, and when account is tnken of those who returned quietly on Saturday, prospects are looking brighter than has previously been the case. It lias been learned that some men formerly employed ori contracts have approached the mine officials stating that they ere prepared to go back ana I'esume their contracts, but would prefer not to do so on Wednesday. The company has laid the position down definitely, however, that failure to appear on Wednesday or to give reasonable explanation for not appearing will be considered sufficient reason for the cancellation of the contracts. It is reported that the Union intends to picket all streets leading to the mine on Wednesday morning, that women propose to play a prominent part in a hostile demonstration, and that arrangements have been made fo£ a party of Federation sympathisers from Karangahakc to be on hand early on Wednesday to lend moral support to their still stubborn comrades in Waihi. The company, however, has published a notice to-day that trespassers are warned off mining property and that only bona-fide workers will bo permitted to remain about the premises. The new office for the transaction of business ol the recently-registered Mine and Battery Workers’ Union will be opened to-morrow, and the necessary fittings and furnishings were installed to-day. A feature of the office will be the Union Jafck flying above it. Subscriptions for that purpose were voluntarily forthcoming in less than, half an hour from Waihi residents this morning. Affairs at Waikino battery are very quiet and work is progressing quite in tho ordinary way.

This afternoon Sergeant Bird and twenty more members of the police force left Auckland for Waihi._ The strength of the force at Waihi now stands at about sixty-five. The election of officers to the Federation of Labour hae resulted in Mr I*. C. Webb defeating Mr M. J. Savage, of tho Auckland. Brewery Employees’ Union, for the position of president. Four candidates, Messrs W. E. Parry, Dowgray, M. Fagan and P. Richardson were nominated as vicepresidents, but as none of them obtained an absolute majority a second ballot will be necessitated to decide whether Mr Pnrrv (the present vicepresident) or Mr Dowgray shall till the position. The result of the second ballot will probably be known in two or three weeks. For tho .position of organiser to the Federation, s{r, R. Semple, the nresent organiser, defeated Mr T. H. 'Marshall, of the Waikato Miners’ Association. PICKETS FOR WEDNESDAY.

WAIHI WORKERS RETURNING. [Per Press Association.] WAIHI, September 30. Strike matters are quiet here to-day. The strikers are arranging for an elaborate svstem of picketing on Waihi Mine Hill for Wednesday, morning. Tho Waihi Goldmining Company has publicly announced that all persons trespassing on or loitering about land occupied by the company for its mining operations will he proseCL A email cottage for the accommodation of tlie guard, who are to protect the Waihi Company's bridge on tho Ohinemuri River has been erected. Quito an influx of ex-residenta of W r ailii .has set in. Tha influx is coincident with tho resumption of work at the mine. It is anticipated that about six tv men will respond to tho Waihi Company’s warning to resume work on Wednesday, with the alternative of cancellation of contracts. Tho new portion of the Waihi Company’s Waikino line, alterations to which have ju6t been completed, has been tested. All engine with a number of loaded trucks was slowly taken over it this morning. Tho carriage of quartz from the Waihi Mine to. Wai- ' kino can now ¥e resumed at any Time. The grading and other alterations necessitated by the passing of the East Coast line over the company’s line has been in progress for several weeks. the federation executive. TALKS WITH MEMBERS. [From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, SoptemTSTr 80. Tho emergency meetings of the Federation of Labour Executive to consider plans for tlie future conduct of the Waihi strike ended to-day.. When a representative of Hie “Lyttelton Times” interviewed a number of tna members they were not prepared to communicate much, except opinions, the actual resolutions regarding their plans being, they said, secret for the present. Asked who is conducting the fight at "Waihi in the absence of Mr Parry, who has been imprisoned in default of providing Eurety of tho > peace, a member of the Executive stated that Mr Fraser, of tho Auckland Waterside Workers, had been deputed to nroceod to W aihi to take charge of operations. W T hat will be done by him is apparently to await developments on. the employers’ side. ' The Executive affected to be quite confident that the attempt to start the mine on Wednesday would be almost a fiasco, owing to "incompetent workmen. As for the strikers, they declared that the dispute is running on a good financial basis and that funds are plentiful, with prospects equally good, as some sections of tho Federation, such as the shearers, will be able to contribute towards the support of their idle colleagues more I easily during the summer months. 1 ' THE GAOL POLICY. “ The Federation is determined t hat the men in gaol, who have committed no crime, have to come out at all costa.” declared Mr Semple. 11 They could come out at once if they found sureties,” was suggested. “ Well, they won’t-,” promptly answered the Federation organiser. •• Thousands of people would have provided sureties, ana we could do it out of our funds if wo liked, but we are determined not to sign sway our liberty at the dictation of a class-biased magistrate. Every miner in our Union, every woman, and every member of the Executive, is prepared to follow Parrj to gaol rather than sign any bond. We are going to demand the right to peaceful picketing.” THE KAFFTR LABOUR ALLEGATIONS. Mr Semple declared that he was still dubious, despite the denials'of the employers that Kaffir or Chinese labour would be imported to run the Waihi mine. ’‘Mr Massey and Mr Rhodea can deny it,” he said, “but I gob the information from the Dunedin ' Star,’ which is aa employers’ paper. It mentioned about a week ago that a move was on foot in London to introduce coolie or Chinese labour into Waihi, and this, with the statement of Mr Rhodes that Kaffirs and Chinaman can work the machine drill, makes it appear genuine.” MORE DEMONSTRATIONS. -.... Mr Semple and Mr Armstrong, of the General Labourers’ Union, will

leave for Greymoutli to-morrow for the purpose of organising demonstrations in favour of the unconditional release of the forty-five strikers now imprisoned at Mount Eden Gaol. Other members, of the. Federation Executive will proceed to their own districts to organise similar meetings. Mr Webb, who, with Mr Hickey, toured Australia _ to raise strike funds, will return to New Zealand on Wednesday: His colleague will remain in Australia until further orders. The Executive declared that the Australian response had been marvellous, and was increasing.

MANIFESTO BY NEW UNION'. [Per Press Association.] WAIHI. September 30.

Die following manifesto lias been ismied by the new U nion : —A\ c. as members of the recently-formed Ohineniuri Mines and Batteries Employees' Union, desire to make clear our reasons for .forming an industrial union under the arbitration laws of New Zealand. Wo bolc.-g to that section which were not satisfied with the ballot taken by the Waihi Union upon tho question of the cancellation of its registration under the Arbitration Act. Tho deadlock • which has since occurred and which has lasted lor nearly five months can only be terminated by tho action we have taken. We decline to he e. charge upon tho generosity of our fellowworkers when there is profitable employment awaiting us and a judicial tribunal in tho caso of dispute is offered to us. We bear no animosity toward those who think that wo are wrong in taking this the only line of action possible to bring about re-em-ployment. Wo ask that those who are willing to return‘to their work shall recognise that all sections have rights and liberties. Wo invito you to join us in sharing the management of Union affairs, leaving the final settlement of disputes to the law of tho land in which wo live.”

MASS MEETING IN WELLINGTON. [Per Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, September 30. The Federation of Labour held a meeting in the Opera House, Wellington, last night. The hall was crowded. Resolutions demanding the release of the imprisoned Waihi strikers were carried with six dissentients. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l should like to say, a few words as protest against tho wav the so-called Reform Party are looking after the workers’ interests. About a week ago some thirty or forty Union men at Waihi wore sent to gaol in order, I might-say. to smash up the Union and not for any act of violence, and as soon as the Government and monied class had the readers under lock and key, the Magistrate said: ‘‘We will not punish any more. You will all have, a clean sheet from now.” Of course any man who has never been to school can see through it. Then in vour paper on Thursday wo read that n free labourer was had up for striking n woman in tho street. He was not fined or bound over to ■ keep the peace or sent to gaol for twelve months, blit was simply convicted aud had to pay costs. Now, I cannot see any differeuco between the offenders except that this man is a freo labourer. Of course tyat suits the present Government and the capitalists. I suppose the present party in power will be wanting a vote from the workers again soon. Will they get one? I doubt it.—l am, etc., FAIR PLAY.