WAIHI MINERS' UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13783, 23 June 1908, Page 6

WAIHI MINERS' UNION.

A POLITICAL PLATFORM'.

[BY TEuKUItAm. —OWN CORRBSI'OXUENT.]

W.uni, Monday. The monthly meeting of the Waihi Miners' and Workers' Union was held in the Union Hall on Saturday evening, Mr. H. T. Armstrong (president) in the chair. The greater part of the lime was. taken up by a. discussion on the question of joining force's with the Political Labour League, in connection with rue adoption of a. platform for the forthcoming Parliamentary elections, the secretary (Mr. J. Scanlon) having the platform drafted at the recent, conference between the union representatives and the representatives of the. league. Mr. Cotter moved, " That the union take

no active part in the introduction of politics." This was seconded by Mr. Maloney. The President said the union at its last meeting"had decided to take part in political matters, and ruled the motion out of order. Mr. Cotter then moved, "That the platform be rejected,'' and Mr. Jones seconded the motion. Mr. J. Foster said he was opposed to the union taking an active part in politics, holding that if politics were introduced a split would be sure to follow. The President pointed out that the matter of the union taking part in politics or not was not the question before the meeting. The report now before them must be rejected or accepted. He would ask them if they" were not going to take an active part in politics, what were thev going to do? Mr. Robert-son considered that the union should take action, and adopt the platform, and he would move in that direction. Mr. McLaughlin - asserted that tho meeting was not representative' of the Miners' Union, but of the Political Labour League, who attended to dictate to the union. Mr. Campbell, league organiser and representative, next rose to speak, but met with a noisy reception. The motion rejecting the platform, as submitted by the delegates, was eventually put to the meeting, and carried. Mr. Gillett then moved, "That tins union appoint delegates to draw up a platform, independent of the Political Labour Lea"ue.'". The motion was seconded by Mr. Dve, and carried. Delegates were appointed as follows : — The president, and Messrs. Seaulon, Daviess, Cotter, and Foster.