DEVELOPMENTS AT WAIHI.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVI, Issue 196, 19 August 1912, Page 8

DEVELOPMENTS AT WAIHI.

PROPOSAL TO PROCURE MEN FROM AUCKLAND.

AND WHAT THEN?

WAIHI, Aug. 19. At, a. meeting of strikers, to-day a motion was moved to the effect that the time had! arrived when a ballot should be taken as to whether or _ot the Federation of Labor should endeavor, through the Mine-owners Association, to draw up an agreement with a/view to settling the dispute, the agreement, if satisfactory, to be ratified by the Arbitration Court. The mover's contention was that it the Federation did try to get the agreement, a clause couldl be inserted to the effect that engine-drivers could join the Miners' Union. It would also decide the feeling of the men, seeing that they had been called out without a secret ballot.

The chairman (Mr Parry) ruled the motion out of order. He said! that if the Arbitration Court had anything to do with the , drawing-up of the agreement it would also have the settling of'any ..breach that might occur. In regard to Rule 90, he said that the union would work on the rules rescinded' by the union, notwithstanding the fact that the Registrar had not approved them. The Registrar was almightily powerful, but his (the chairman's) was a democratic 'ruling.^' , Exception was taken to the ruling, but on being put to the meeting,it w&s endorsed.

Referring to the recent risit of the Conciliation Commissioners, the chairman contended that the Government had only been inciting the strikers toviolence by sending the CommissiwMWS to Waihi and by interfering „, with "Ctomrade" King. Notice of motion was given to : the effect that no more persons be allowed to join the union until the termination of the strike. '■:■.<■:;

Mr Parry stated that the company was taking steps in Auckland to. .obtain 2000 men to start work in the mines. If the company engagedl, independent workers the Federation Would call on. the Railway Department not to carry them.