THE FEDERATION'S FIGHT.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12815, 15 July 1912, Page 2

THE FEDERATION'S FIGHT.

} -» 'NOT STIUUvING XV KATTANGATA. ' (Per Press Association.) AUOKLAND, last night. A most unusual position has- arisen m connection with the Auckland Drivers' Union and the levy to assist the Waihi strikers. Recently' a special meeting ol tho Union was held, and. a deputation from the Waihi Miners' Union was received. The deputation put forth arguments m favor of a lew being made towards the Waihi strike fund. Two propositions were then placed before the meeting—one that a levy ol 2s per week should be made,., and* the other that instead of a levy being made the sum of £60 should" be paid' outright to' the Waihi Unioir strike fund. Tbe idea of the levy met with small support, aiid eventually a majority of the members at a meeting decided m favor of donating the sum of £60. Later, complications arose, and the committee of the Drivers' Union decided by six votes to four to veto the decision of. the Union, putting forth 'as a reason that it was not definitely known' whether tiie members could legally vote £60 out of tho funds. Legal advice has since been obtained by the cqmrhj.tee,' and they find that the members were quite within their legal rights m voting tbe lumpsum of £60. \ The position- now is that a ; special meeting of the Union will, be held this week to finally decide as to what assistance, if any, they will give to the Waihi 'strikers. ' ' : KAITA_«ATA, last night. One Hundred and forty-three members of" the Otago Coal Miners' Union (affiliated to the Federation of Labor) met privately on Saturday evening to consider the actidn of the* Union, 'iiij view of tbe decision of the directors of the New | Zealand Coal and Oil Company not to [ recognise it. Messrs Semple and' Howard, of the Executive of the Federation, were present and addressed the men. ''Drastic action had been threatened i* recognition were not extended,'' but the meeting' showed no disposition to take this course. Mr Sample 'feaid it was no use declaring a strike unless the men were absolutely solid. The nieeting fin-, ally passed a resolution inviting the rival Arbitration Union to a trial of 'strength by secret ballot, the registers' 'of each union to be impounded and only 'members'to be allowed' to vote. This Course is almost certain to be refused by the arbitrationLsts. Tn the past week they have gained 40 members, and/ expect, more. Such- a vote/would' also exclude the independent members, whoge jsentiment, if anything, is against t_ie;T*ederation and the trouble. Saturday's meetings apparently accomplishes nothing bevb'nd revealing the set of the tide locally against ''drastic ' Conferences are proceeding between the.', management and the arbitration unions oil the reference submitted with a view to an agreement being arrived at.