WAIHI STRIKE. WHY THE NEW UNION WAS FORMED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 21 May 1912, Page 5

WAIHI STRIKE.

WHY THE NEW UNION WAS FORMED

THE MIXERS* EiiAND OF LICSRTY. "A FAIR, SAMPLE." IPress Association. —Copyright.) WAIH I. May 20. The following are further reasons adduced iiv tho new union fur separation frow the Waihi Miners' and Workers Union : '1) That prior to the cancellation t>i the 2-egistraticn of the .Minors l.nion under the Arbitration Ait the engine diivers considered it ad visa bio t<> form a separate union at a conference with the Miners' Union officials : however, the latter made suck promises that we felt justified in allowing the matter to lapse. Thus, at the outset, we desired separation. <2) Ballots for the cancellation of the Union"s registration were conducted in a grossly lax manner. Several ballots took place, the final one extending over a fortnight arid the ballot box was actually taken round to several shafts instead of beiiirr | e fi jj, hall under supervision. To this we strongly objected. Since then the management of the union's affairs has been similarly lax and informal, to the material detriment of our concerns sjkJ interests. (3) One instance of culpable neglect %rill suffice. Iw 1910 we were circularised by the Engine Drivers' Union of New Zealand re a suggested alteration to the Machinery Act. by which the status of the present first class certificates, covering any stationary land engine. Would have been reduced to that controlling •40-h.p. engines only. We made an immediate appeal to the union to enter a protest, but they merely referred the matter to the president, who promsied to negotiate. We had to be satisfied with tlhe information that the Federation's solicitor had the matter in hand, and were finally compelled to take individual action on the eve of the last session of Parliament. (4) Re the claims of the union to obtaining an increase of wages : we were not fcehclden to the union at- all. The Waihi companies chaneed their haulage plants from small-geared engines to large first motion engines, which demanded greater skiU and efficiency. On representation beIHS made t-o the companies by the drivers, independent of any union or federation. \ve were immediately granted an increase in pay similarly, and independent of both the union or the Federation. Locomotive drivers. _pnmp drivers, and men working the Waikino obtained an increase. Now as these increases were included in the last agreement. the Miners' Union claims all the credit. The union fought for the' drivers of the small engines to receive lis, but on meeting with a refusal surrendered the demand. Since then these drivers, apart from, and independent of. the union, with the exception cf one man who is still get{s) The miners refused to submit themselves to medical examination, but, pre sumably to show consistent- unionism, Messrs Parry and Dowgray did not hesitate to endorse a recommendation by the Mines Commission that winding engine drivers should be submitted to an annual examination, entailing expense and inconvenience. We have not the slightest objection to medieai examination, but if we are examined why are not also those in similar positions, such as tramway rootormen. etc. ? " : (6) On three occasions in the 15 months J that we have been under the jurisdiction ' of th-s Federation, strikes have in the balance. An engine drivers must 1 choose between conforming to the law and having their certificates dealt with, our state of unrest has ben well niah intolerable. (7) In direct opposition to an agreement the union forced the engine drivers, who were not on the roll" before the agreement was drawn up. to join the union. The coercion was a threat of re* fusal to be lowered by non-members. This is a fair sample of the brand of liberty practised by the Waihi 'Miners' Union. HOW IT AFFECTS THE BOROU3H. MAYOR'S HONORARIUM REDUCED ENGINEER ASKED TO RESIGN. WAIHI. This Day. As a result of the depression of the Borough finances, brought about by the strike, the Borough Council, at a special meeting last night, decided to reduce the Mavcr's honorarium from £l5O to £SO, and t-o ask the Engineer to resign, he to have the first refusal of a fresh appointment, if necessary. "MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS." "THAMES REPLY TO WAIHI. THAMES. May 20. In connection with the Waihi strike, which it is feared will spread to the gold savins - works at Paeroa. the secretary of the Thames Miners' Union, which is registered under the Arbitration Act, received the following telegram from the Waihi Miners' Union: "Strike declared at Waihi-Paeroa gold extraction works. Refrain from enrolling members in, or from, that locality. Advise your members of union to keeD awav."

To this the local secretary replied : "Cannot understand your wire re strike at Paeroa. which is in our district, and outside your jurisdiction." It is stated that there is a growing unrest amonast th<>, Karangahake branch and the Thames Miners' Union, members of which steadfastly believe in th e adoption of the constitutional methods to secure redress for their grievances.

OTHER MINES AFFECTED. AUCKLAND. May 20. The operations of the strike committee of the Waihi Miners' Union have extended to the Paeroa and Waihi-Pa-eroa Gold Extraction Companies. The works have in consequence suspended work temporarilv. Apparently two ofHrials of the Waihi Union presented an ultimatum to the company which couid not be complied with, and when tho manager of the company's works at Paeroa refused the demands. about 14 men knocked off work. The companv. therefore, decided to suspend operations for a few days so as to organise the new men that will be cn-gage-d.