WAIHI STRIKE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 10 June 1912, Page 5

WAIHI STRIKE.

A CONFERENCE TQ BE HELD.

MASS MEETING OF STRIKERS

FEELING AGAINST THE FED ERA TION.

{Phess Association. —Copyright.)

WELLINGTON. June 9. Another step had been taken towards bringing about a conference between the employers and the employees _in connection with the dispute at Waini. Ihe Gold Mine Owners' Association, through its secretary (Mr. \\ m. Pry or) _ has agreed to meet representatives ot the Federation of Labour at \\aihi on Satuidav next at 2 p.m. AUCKLAND. June 9. The "Auckland Star' states that Mr. W. E. Parry, vice-president- of the Federation of Labour, and president of the Waihi Miners' Union, has resigned the former position on account of what lie | believes to he the adversejv critical attitude shown towards him by members of various federated unions in regard to Mr. Parry's action in bringing on the strike at Waihi. WAIHI. June 9. It is generally believed that some of the idlers are discontented, and are out of sympathy with the Federation of Labour. Considerable interest was aroused ;n the town on Saturday afternoon by the report that Mr. W. E. Parry had resigned the vice-pres;dency of the Federation j of Labour. It transpired that there was no truth in the report. On Saturday evening a mass meeting was "held. Mr. Parry opened the proeeedings. and was straight away questioned as to what the had done regarding the Auckland general labourers' dispute. Mr. Parry expressed surprise at such a question "at that, stage of the [;ame." The speaker said that the Federation had decided on a sectional j strike with regard to Waihi. because this •would enable organisers to stump thceountry and explain the cause of the strike and collect funds. Mr. Parry gave an emphatic denial to the report that he had resigned office as vice-president of the Labour Federation. Webb also spoke. Mr. Fraser replying to the question as to what the Federation had done in connection with the Auckland general labourers' dispute said he was not prepared to say whether the Federation had acted wisely or otherwise in the matter. Interjections followed his reiterated request for the Waihi men to stand solid. A general discussion ensued, during which a member tcqk exception to the. moneys so far received being treated as a distress fund and of the system of distribution. He said it should be dealt with as strike pay. The suggestion was received with applause. A motion was put to the effect, that this union endorsed the action of the Federation of Labour. An amendment or direct negative, followed : That np endorsement of the action of the Federation should be si yen pending the settlement of the strike. Mr. Parry asked the mover the amendment to withdraw it, adding, "Do not let us have to appeal to you to withdraw the amendment, a.- in the event of our being compelled to do so it would go forth that the union has lest confidence in the Federation." Subsequently the amendment was withdrawn. and the motion also, some mem bers of the committee pointing out that, while they were not desirous of votine -against it. thev could not endorse the whole action of the Federation. It was said by those in touch with the feeling of the men that, had the motion been submitted it would have been defeated.