TRAIL OF THE STRIKER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8190, 3 August 1912, Page 8

TRAIL OF THE STRIKER

WAIHI'S PITIABLE PLIGHT, RUINED BUSINESSES AND TOWN HALF EMPTY. PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND. August 2. Messrs J. R. Triggs and P. Hally, tho two Conciliation Commissioners who have been making inquiries into the condition of affairs at waihi, returned to Auckland last night. Both Mr Triggs and Mr Hally will go south by the express to-night, their report now being ready for consideration by the Minister. Aj.r Triggs explained to a reporter this morning that their, mission was not in any way to attempt to effect conciliation, but to secure first-hand information and to make minute investigation, with the object of presenting a comprehensive report on tho situation to the department. ... . .

"Of course, we can’t tell you what is in our report.” he said, “but you people here in Auckland would be astonished to see the state of affairs in Waihi to-day. I could not havo believed it if I had not seen it for myself." Mr Triggs states that ho is amazed at the condition ■ .into which Waihi has fallen. Businesses have been ruined, tho town is half empty, distress is frequent, ana it is evident that people have sold valuable houses and furniture for a few pounds. The town is in such a condition of stagnation and discomfort as ho would never have believed possible without the evidence of his own senses. It could not possibly look worse. There was little hope of any settlement until strike pay was stopped. The action of the Government in sending tho Commissioners to Waihi was greatly appreciated, as it held out a promise that something might bo done to hasten the end of an almost' impossible position in an erstwhile prosperous centre.. "It was very noticeable,” said Mr Hallv at another stage of tho interview, "that there was a great deal of reserve shown on the part of tho Miners’ Union. There was an attempt, which seemed to have been habitual right through, to withhold information regarding the true state of affairs.” At tho same time both Commissioners made it quite clear that the information which had been placed at their disposal had left not a bare corner in. the whole of the present situation at Waihi. They had taken statements from all classes of the community—from about sixty people altogether—and although the union was r.ot officially represented, individual miners had come forward to give testimony. Everyone had been affected by the strike: everyone was suffering, and tradespeople in parHcvlnr were in dire straits. "The bottom has been knock d out of Waihi," thev said. "You can't believe how b-d things are." "Fancy!” said Mr Hally, "grown men walking about in a civilised country with pistols in their pockets!" He explained, in answer to a request for fuller particulars, that some Waihi men—enginedrivers they were—carried pistols, about because .thev feared personal violence from unionist strikers. . Cases of distress were numerous, and the hospital was full. One woman had lost her child from diphtheria, due, it ■was alleged, to the stoppage of tho water; isupply for flushing purposes. Tho sick-

ness that filled the hospital was states to bo the result of distress and hardship uirectly due to the strike. Tho attendance at the schools had fallen away greatly. Whole families had left tho town, and the Technical School might just as well up for all tho scholars there were seeking instruction. The Commissioners in conclusion, remarked that they could sec little chance of the strike being ended whilo funds were available for the strikers.