WAIHI STRIKE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11655, 10 June 1912, Page 1

WAIHI STRIKE.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, June 9. Another step has been taken, towards bringing a I wilt a conference between the employers and employees in connection with the Waihi dispute. The Goldmine Owners' Association, through its secretary (Mr W. Pryor). to meet representatives of the Federation of Labor at Waihi on Saturday next, at 2 p.m., under the conditions stated in the letters of the Mine Owners' sec--ta.ry on 28th May and sth June, and in terms of the Federation's letter of the Ist May. Mr Pryor asked to be informed by the Federation at its earliest convenience if the elate proposed would be suitable lor the Fedeiation's representatives, and Mr Glover, secretary of the Federation, promised to put the date before his executive by telegram. Waihi, June 9. One effect of the strike, which has now had a. run of four weeks, is a. marked inactivity in every branch of local trade j with the- exception of the billiard saloons. The general demeanour of the■strikers leaves nothing to complain of, and notwithstanding their enforced idleness, they show no inclination to make any outward demonstration. Yet it is generally believed a section of the idlers are discontented and are out of sympathy with the .Federation of Labor. Considerable interest was aroused in. the fcownr:oh Saturday afternoon by a report, vide the Press Association, that Mr W. E. Parry had resigned the vicepresidency of the Federation of Labor. The Hews gdve additional zest-to the meeting of miners to be held that evenings at which, it bird been announced that MV P. C. Webb (President of the "Federation of Labor), Mr Parry (VicePresident), and Mr P. Eraser (President of the Auckland General Laborers) were to speak. However, it transpired that there was no truth in the report that Mx Parry had resigned. ■ On-Saturday evening a mass meeting was hevl. Mr Parry opened the proceedings anel was straight away questioned as to what the Federation had done regarding the. Auckland General Laborers' dispute.: The questioner .was greeted with .applause. Mr Parry expressed surprise at such a question "at that stage of the game," stating: that Mr Fraser would probably deal with the question. ■Mr Parry, proceeding, urged the strikers to stand" s*o!id, and have confidence in the Federation no matter what the present appearances were. The reason-for a sectional strike, the speaker said, was that the Federation had decided ,ou a sectional fight instead of calling, out the affiliated unions, as the adoption of * this course would enable the organisers to stump the country and explain the cause of the strike and collect funds to provide, 'for the workers involved, pending a settlement. Regarding the opposition to the Engine-eli ivers' Union and] its registration under the Arbitration Act, the speaker referred to the steps taken by the Federation to prevent registration. The executive had waited en the M'iii'3ter of Labor and had pointed out that in granting the application it would place minorities in a position to dictate to majorities, explaining, that a handful of" members of the Waihi Minora' "Union could l withdraw and start another union. In reply the Minister said th.erec was no other course Open than that of granting the application-. Mr Parry, before concluding, gave an emphatic denial to" the report circulated that ho had resigned office as vice-presi-dent of the Labor Federation. He was pleased to note that a conference had been arranged between the Federation and the Mine Owner-' Association. This indicated, the speaker said, that the Mine Owueis had withdrawn from the conditions insisting that the members of the Waihi ' Miners' Union must guarantee to work amicablv With the engine ekivers and settle the dispute between the two unions before the unions would' be ptepared to discuss matters with the Federation delegates. Mr Webb, in his address", made a stiong appeal to the men to stand firm. If "the occasion demanded, he would stake his reputation on the Federation, and was Inmost enough to admit it if the organisation was likely to suffer defeait in' its tight for the welfare, of tne workers. "The Waihi .'men must trust the executive. ? , Mr Fraser (the last speaker), replydng'to a question as to. what the Federation had done in connection with the Auckland General Laborers' dispute, said he was not prepared to say whether the- Federation had acted wisely or otherwise in the matter, but he believed -things would right then-selves. He had '■ implicit faith in the organisation. _ 'lnterjections followed his reiterated request' -for the Waihi men to stand solid. . A- general discussion ensued, during which" a member took exception to the monevs so far received-being, treated as a- distress fund, and to the system of distribution. He contended that the money should be dealt with as strike pay. and members should be able to claim it as "their rights. -. The suggestion was received with applause. ■ " A motion, was put to the cfleet that ."This Union endorses the action of the Federation of Labor." • An amendment or direct negative followed : "That no endorsement of the action of the Federation, should be given pending a settlement of the strike. ' Mr Parrv asked the mover of the amendment' to withdraw it, adding: : "Do not- let us have to appeal to you to ■withdraw the amendment, as, in the event of vour being compelled to <u> so. ■it'would'go-forth, "that the Union iiau lost confidence in the Federation. ' !." " Subsequently the amendment was wiHi|'drawn', and the motion was also vrit.i.- [■ drawn! some members of the committee | : pointing out that while not desirous oi voting against it, they conk! not emdorse" the whole of the a.etion of the Federation. . ■ It was said by those in touch witn the : feeling of the men that had, the motion been submitted it would have .been defeated, n . Paimerston. North, June U. There- was a fair attendance at the m'eet'ii)""df the Flaxniillers' Union here on Saturday (Mr Dalhousie presiding) to consider'the" levy ov .10 per centum for the Waihi. and Roefton. strikes. "Considerable difference of opinion »vas expressed, and there was a tendency to -regard the Federation of Labor,as iorgetting' that 'there were other miners in it. The -levy had already been made by the Federation; on all affiliated bodies without reference to them, .but a considerable number at t-lie" meeting had little sympathy with the -Waihi strike, aiid were mote disposed towards the -Reefton. strikers' cajiso. ' As no decision could be come to at the meeting-re the levy, it was'decided to take a_ hallot of the union members on the subject.