AFFAIRS AT WAIHI.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8191, 5 August 1912, Page 1

AFFAIRS AT WAIHI.

“NO SIGNS OF DISTRESS” REAL FATHER HOLBROOK GLUES HIS IMPRESSIONS. SPECIAL TO THE “TIMES.” AUCKLAND, August 3. The Rev. Father Holbrook, of St. Patrick’s, has been in AVaihi during the illness of the Rev. Archdeacon Brodie. He was there for a fortnight, and during that time had a fairly good opportunity of observing tho state of attairs existing in AVaihi at tho present time.

“I didn’t seo any signs of the distress of which one hears such rumours/’ said Father Holbrook to a “Star” reporter this morning. He mado it perfectly clear to the interviewer that he was not taking sides in any argument as to whether there was or was not unusual distress in Waihi. Ho was merely recording his own personal impressions, and appreciated the fact (upon which he commented specially) that the Conciliation Commissioners, Messrs Triggs and Hally, had had exceptional opportunities of obtaining inside information. \

Waihi seemed to bo peaceable and quiet, and so far as the observer coulu see harmony seemed _to exist everywhere. At the beginning of the trouble ho understood that there had been isolated cases of “booing” members newly-formed Enginedrivers’ Union, but that sort of thing was discountenanced, and was now apparently' nonexistent; in fact, the orderly state of the town was remarkable and reflected great credit on those concerned in the present struggle. He had not seen a sign of drink or of disorder of any kind. It was a great pity to see such large numbers of able-bodied men just “killing time” by playing quoits, etc. No cases of sacrifices of homes and furniture had come under his notice, he remarked, in answer to a question, when it was suggested that house property and land at Waihi had been practically unsaleable for a year or more. Father Holbrook pointed out that it had been felt for a long time that a trial of strength must come between the Federation of Labour and the mining companies. Perhaps it was a good thing that the trial had come, because it had helped to bring more general discredit on the strike as a means of settling ‘ disputes. Even the Industrial Workers of the World bad a maxim that if . the ,ond aimed _ at by striking had not been attained in from four to six weeks, ’ the strike had failed in its object. i

The impression that Father Holbrook gained was that, although there was ; a large moderate party in the ■ Waihi union, it would be outnumbered by the stubborn members, manv of those unfavourable to the strike having left the town. It was doubtful, even at this stage of the strike, if a secret ballot would result in the majority of votes being cast against continuing. It was unlikely that the strike would end so long as the strike pay continued to come in, and President Parry had recently advised the union that the strike pay was to bo increased. He could not ice any prospect of a termination of ••.he strike unless the Government in--erfered and took direct action. There was a feeling among the men that, in order to bo consistent and loyal, they nust go through with the struggle low, although many of them would no doubt prefer to resume work. There ■vaa no doubt also that there were ex tremists in the union, but, so far as the ibserver could see, harmony and good eeling prevailed.

He thought that the reported numbers of those who had left tne town had been clearly exaggerated. Numbers, especially single men, had certainly gone away, but not nearly so many as had been supposed. There was a lull in the town, and trade was at a standstill, but, taken all round, the state of affairs was not so deplorable as many were" inclined to think. That, anyway, was the way it appeared to him.