STRIKE OFF!

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8258, 22 October 1912, Page 1

STRIKE OFF!

FEDERATION FAILS AUCKLAND LABORERS AT WORK AGAIN HUNTLY DEVELOPMENTS Press Association. AUCKLAND, October 21. The general laborers have officially declared the strike off. Mr Canham, a member of the executive of the Federation of Labor, himself resumed work on the wharf to-day. The following telegram has been posted at the office of the Waikato Miners' Union, Huntly: “Tho administrative executive, meeting in session, unanimously endorsed tho stand taken by your executive and union. Negotiations are proceeding to arrange a conference both with the coal miners and gold owners to discuss the position. It is hoped there will bo developments soon. —(Signed) Collins.

CHAGRINED MINERS

DISCONTENT AT HUNTLY,

FEDERATION LOSING ITS HOLD ON

THE MEN

Press Association. AUCKLAND, October 21. A Huntly correspondent tolegruplib that a tram iroui Fraukton, carrying Mam Trunk passengers, was met tnas morning by a large number of miners in apparent expectation ol the arrival ol some of tne toaeratiou executive. Tne opinion was treely expressed that the federation executive are afraid to face the men. W hether a new union will bo formed, depends upon developments within the next few days. Undoubtedly action is being taken in that direction. .Several of the men, who are looked upon as leaders of the more moderate section of the workeis. are prepared to go to that length and break away from the federation, Your correspondent is not at liberty to mention tne number of men who have given their names for the new union, hut there is quite enough to show that a strong feeling of resentment exists against the federation. Tho latter is regarded as lacking in grip and initiative, having nothing but mistakes to show for the past few. months. Tho matter of the new union is said to have been mentioned with considerable bitterness at yesterday's meeting. Still more men are leaving Huntly. Several miners are employed on the surface of the mines. A feeling is gaining ground that the federation will be unable to bring the trouble to a conclusion favorable to the miners. STOfl E-THROWING PELTED WORKERS RETURN THE COMPLIMENT. STRIKERS GROWING BITTER. Special to the “ Times.” WAIHI, October 21. Five practical miners went underground this morning at the Waihi Company's mine. Of these four are from outside districts, including a Souti, African; the fifth is a local man. There are how fully seventy men engaged in underground operations, and progress is reported to be vary satisfactory. Tho Waddno battery is now running full time and is crushing a little over four hundred tons of ore per day, which includes barely fifty tana' drawn from the reserve. INVECTIVE CONTINUES. Booing and "scabbing” was renewed with much vigor this morning as brakes with workers passed on. their way to the mines. Mon, women, and children used the word "scab" freely and quite openly in the presence of the police, this also being done in the main street when any member of the new union appears. The temper, of■ the crowd is now very bitter, notwithstanding the advice of the magistrate to discard such methods of showing protest. When the company's train was passing through a cutting at the south end of the town this morning some stones were thrown at the workers aboard, who retaliated with a volley of similar missiles which, since the eggthrowing incident, they have been in Hie habit of carrying with them as a means of self-defence. It is understood that no one was hurt. VISITORS PROM HUNTLY.

There are several HnntLy men in town to-day, having a look round. The union officials state that the reason the detained men kicked the walls of their cells on Friday night was with a view of attracting the attention, of the authorities in regard to an allegation that the air in the email buildings is not sufficient for twenty men. MILITANT WOMEN. Comparatively few assembled at the foot of the mine road this afternoon to witness the workers coming off shift, but a band of militant women, some carrying sticks, provided excitement by following a prominent member of the new union and indulging in the usual vocal chorus of hoots and general invective. They hooted and "scabbed” all and sundry, and it must be said that the term ''scab” has now completely lost its signficant meaning, so indiscriminately is it used. A regrettable feature of these demonstrations is the number of young srirls who are encouraged to take part. Their training, in this connection must surely tell against them in the future. Six workers (one miner, three laborers, and two fitters) signed on at the Grand Junction mine today, and more are expected to-morrow. WILL THEY SECEDE? WELLINGTON WATERSIDERS AND LABOR FEDERATION. In all probability the loyalty of members of the Wellington Waterside Workers' Union to the Federation of Labor will bo put to the direct test very soon. The recent refusal of the union, to obey the federation’s order and take a day's

holiday as a protest against the imprisonment of the Waihi men is regarded by many people as an indication that the federation's hold on the members had weakened considerably. That this is so, however, is denied by some of the union men. They say last week’s vote did not constitute a "vote of no-confidence” in the federation and ought not to be interpreted as such. But the question is not likely to be left in doubt vMy long, as notice has been given (so it is understood) to take a secret ballot on tho question whether the union shall secede from the federation. This question, if put, will be answered directly "yes” or “no."