POSITION IN WAIHI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15002, 25 May 1912, Page 8

POSITION IN WAIHI.

ENGINEDRIVERS FIRM. PRESSING FOR LEGISLATION. i .DISCONTENTED STRIKERS. [BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL correspondent.] Waiki, Friday. The announcement made yesterday that a mass meeting of members of the .Miners' Union. would bo held this morning, coupled with the fact that the conference of delegates to the New Zealand Labour Federation was proceeding in Wellington, -gave the impression that some development of importance bearing on the strike might bo expected to-day, but the looked-for development has nob materialised. The .strikers attended in force at the hour fixed for the meeting, but were informed by tlio executive officers that, an adjournment had been decided upon until 10 o'clock on Saturday morning. Thus it '.■ would seem that some communication of importance from the federation will be before the men to-morrow. • This afternoon a sports gathering, under the auspices of the union, was held on the Recreation Reserve, and claimed a fair attendance. Events were provided for both adults and children, and an interesting programme concluded about five o'clock, • Engiaedrivers and Registration. Interviewed to-day on the question of the registration of the Drivers and Win- : ders' Union under the Arbitration Act, a prominent member -of the union stated that there had been no further "communications between the ..Minister for Labour and the authorities^ in Wellington and !■ the ;.\Waihi J union!,.' union was" however, determined-to press for registration as a separate society, . apart from the ; Auckland Enginedrivers' Union, and in the event of the Minister persisting in his refusal to register the Waihi union the members would then appeal direct to the Arbitration Court for registration, a; course open to ■ them under the provisions ! of the Act, The Growing Discontent. With time lying heavily on their hands, funds dwindling steadily "and surely away, and nothing to suggest an early 'settle- I ment of the .dispute, the gravity of the position is forcing itself bom© to an everincreasing section of the idle workers. toJS hOW fI V 3 B ™ has been no move S S bUfc it ! » anticipated that this will come shortly, unless those responsible for the Strike cvgrthmhuk& show stroT !

ger justification for the course pursued, and take steps to bring about a settlement. , . Tho feeling of discontent appears to be even more pronounced at Waikino than m Waihi. There are »any of tho ™ en who mako no secret of the fact that they are not i.i sympathy with the striko or its . promoters. ' Rapidly Diminishing Trade. A visit to a number of business people, apart from those dealing in the immediate necessaries of life, disclosed tho somewhat startling fact that although the strike has only been on since the 14th inst. (11 days), the failing off in trade shows an average of close upon SO per cent., compared with the turnover for a corresponding period prior to the dispute. In order to assist their tenants as far as possible, landlords owning business premises have been voluntarily granting substantial reductions in rent, amounting in some instances to 50 per cent. Tho understanding is that the reduced rates are to stand until tho trouble is over. Rent Collectors' Difficulties. Land agents and others entrusted with the collection of rent for private dwellings, state that it is practically impossible to get money in, and that many of tlio tenants have mado it clear that they will make no further payments until after tho strike is over. Others have demanded substantial reductions, which in some instances Tiavo been granted. THE BOROUGH FINANCES. STATE ASSISTANCE SOUGHT. MINISTER FROMISES NOTHING. [El* telegram:.—peess ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Friday. Mr. Donaldson, chairman of tho Waihi Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, waited upon the Minister for Internal Affairs (Hon. G. W. Russell) this evening, and represented that it was anticipated that by the end of tho current month the borough would require an overdraft of £367, in consequence of the strike. In view of this, ho asked for assistance to meet all special demands. In reply, the Minister pointed out that the borough of Waihi had received upwards of £16,000 during the last financial, year from gold duty. There was no need for application to bo made to the Government at the present stage, because of tho strike, which had lasted only a few days. The Government had no intention of altering its financial policy to meet any temporary difficulties that might occur. If the striko continued for any length of time,, and it was found impossible to rate the district sufficiently, the mntter would then be considered in due course, I I 111111 Mi mum*HlM lIIIIHWIIII