A MASS MEETING HELD,

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15005, 29 May 1912, Page 8

A MASS MEETING HELD,

MAKING FURTHER EFFORTS

INTERVIEW WANTED TO-DAY.

CONFINING HOSTILITIES TO WAIHI.

A mass meeting was held this evening to receive the delegation from the federation. The hall was crowded, and there were about 800 men present. Mr. W. J. McLennan (vice-president of the union) presided, and in addition to the visiting delegates the members of the union executive, were seated on the platform. A brief address was given by Mr. Scrapie. fie explained that the deputation, to the Enginedrivers' Union had failed to obtain my satisfaction. Next morning he proposed to seek an interview with the mine managers to see if any means of settling the difficulty could be devised. Later the federation organiser was asked what course would be followed if the conference was refused. Mr. Semplo replied that he was not prepared to answer the question, and he also stated that he could not inform the meeting what proposals he would submit to the mine managers. Mr. Semple described the results of his visit to Australia, and read to the meeting the agreement by which the Victorian and New South "Wales miners undertook to stop coal supplies if requested to do so, and so prevent '" intercolonial scabbery." Mr. Semple added, in reference to the proposed conference with the mine managers, that whatever the result a report would be made to the federation executive before. any .announcement regarding it was made to the men. The Keeping of Agreements. In answer to a question, Mr. Semple said that if any agreement was made it would be observed so long as the principles of the federation were not violated- If that occurred, the union need have no compunction in breaking the agreement. With a Significant gesture, he expressed his contempt for all agreements that did cot conform with the ideals of the federation. His own opinion was that he would not obtain five- minutes' conference. "Mr. Semple was asked whether it was intended to call a general strike, and from his reply the meeting gathered that the i federation desired to confine, active hostilities to WaihL ' In this connection the chairman read a telegram from the Timaru waterside workers promising financial assistance. " How" many members are there?" someone asked" Very few, indeed, but they are staunch," Mr. Semple replied. A Telegram Is Bead. During the mass .meeting on Saturday some discussion occurred regarding a telegram addressed to Mr.' Parry as a. member of the executivo of the federation. A proposition was then made that ho should be recalled to explain the matter, but this was withdrawn. This evjeninjj the matter was raised again, and the telegram was read by tho chairman. It stated that the executive gave Mr. Parry authority to call a strike in Waihi when all other means failed. There, was some discussion regarding the fact, that at. the meeting on May 13, when the strike was determined on, the telegram was not read and no mention was made of the conditional clauses.

An address was given by Mr. Armstrong in explanation of the trouble at Reefton. Another delegate from Reefton also addressed the meeting. Mr. Parry did not speak, but when asked why he was silent he rose and denied the statement that his action had been censured by the federation, and he asked the members of the union to have implicit confidence in the federation. Protection to be Opposed. No mention was made of strike pay. It was agreed chat no action should be taken in regard to the action of the companies in seeking summary protection, but it was decided that the application for six months' protection should be opposed. A meeting of women will be held tomorrow afternoon. It wijl be addressed by the federation delegates. After the conference with the mine managers, Mr. Semple and the other delegates will return to Wellington. The meeting lasted nearly three h'onrs, and the hall was elaborately picketed to prevent nonunionists from ascertaining the nature of the proceedings. , ALL QUIET AT HUNTLY. NO TALK OF A STRIKE. [PBOM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Hcnti-t, Tuesday. The mines continue to work well, aJI talk of a strike, which was not seriously considered by the officials of the union, having > ,died:OuWTh&-idea i .of a strikpcjra^.

most unpopular, though loyalty to the federation, had that body decided to call the men out, would have met with a response. Mr. T. H. Marshall, president of the union, left for Waihi on Saturday, and Mr. J. Duncan, the secretary, is in Wellington. The meeting called for Inst Thursday was postponed indefinitely. All is very quiet, and a timo-of industrial peace may be anticipated. A RESULT- OF THE STRIKE. COAL SUPPLIES RUN SHORT/ [FBOM DUB' OWX CORRESPONDENT.] Cambridge, Tuesday. One result of the industrial unrest at present existing in tho province ie that wholesale dealers in Cambridge have no coal supplies. Foreseeing a general shortage residents and farmers laid in a big supply. Those who omitted to do so are faring rather badly, and must needs have recourse to firewood, which is also a scarce commodity in these parts. POSITION AT ROTORUA. [FROM OTTO OWX COBRE3POXDEXT.] Rotortja, Tuesday. Great inconvenience i:- being experienced by the residents and hotel proprietors of Rotorua through the delay of the coal merchants in supplying their orders, this condition of affairs being duo to the limited quantity of coal received by them owing to the industrial restlessness pervading the country. Wood is now being largely used to counteract tho deficiency in coal, but this is proving a very expensive item. MEN LEAVING REfiFTOX. GOING TO STATE WORKS. SPORTS FOR THE IDLE MINERS. IST TKJ.EGR.VPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Reeftox, Tuesday. The town is being quickly emptied, thanks to Government -work. Very few married men aro leaving, but tho exodus is becoming very marked. The men at Waiuta, are doing their best to while away the time with sports, etc.. No work is "yet available there. Road work from Waiute, to St. George will start shortly, however, and give employment to some of the miners. The union is holding sports here tomorrow, but the weather is very unpropitious.