THE DEADLOCK AT WAIHI.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12817, 17 July 1912, Page 2

THE DEADLOCK AT WAIHI.

(Special to Herald.) ' AUCKLAND, this da.y

At a mass meeting held at Waihi yesterday morning there were 300 men present. Mr McLennan presided. Messrs Kennedy and Parry reported as dele-, gates re their visit to the Federation conference held some time ago. They also read the balance sheets of the Federation a.nd Mainland Worker. It was resolved that legal advice be taken as to whether the union could prepare a black list of all persons coming under the heading of scabs, such a list to be sent to all workers, papers and unions m Australasia. Notice of motion was given that the Waihi union adopted the constitution of the Independent Workers of the World. It Avas reported that notice .would be given of.. a. motion re withdrawing from the Federation, but nothing .of the- kind was brought forward.

The. question, of the. strike, was. discussed at some length, at a meeting of the Waihi' Cliambel;, of Commerce, .members behig of the. general opinion that with 1 a view^, to. terminating the unfortunate position, representations should be made' to the Government m the matter. Mr E. N. Davies (a; i non-member) was given permission to speak, and he asked for an expression of opinion as to , the equity ; of .the, dispute between the miners and the engine ,drivers.i In his opinion the latter stood for constitutional . methods, and law and^ order m the settlement of disputes,, whilst on the othe^ hand. ,th,e miners union stoOd for self law and/ star chamber; .arbitration, under threat of strike »hd boycott. He. lurged that a public expression of opinion m the matter was necessary from the chamber,. . as those / outside were m ignorance of the true facts of the case,, whilst, thdse travelling round .misrepresenting facts carried all before them.

\, Other speakers contended that theChamber should not discuss the merits or demerits of the case.

The, president (Mr Donaldson) said the strike had; done a gi'.eg.t;, amount of injury to property, but the; greatest injury had been done to the miners themselves, scores, having had their, homes broken upland been compelled. to leave. He criticised ,th«. constitution of the Arbitration,; Court, urging that its' personnel wanted altering. , Mr Power said vthe-.Court .should 'consist' of three men a side m whatever industry was -under )dispute'/ who would appoint their own chairman, the result of their deliberations to be registered undeu tho Act. '

Mr Donaldson officially denied that the Chamber, had ever forwarded any communication re the strike, to the Auckland Chamber: . '.-'■'■■' i ,

..After further discussion the following resolution was carried unanimously : ."That this. Chamber respectfully r>e-, quests the Prime Minister to take such. >steps as will, bring about a speedy and amicable settlement m regai'd to the present unsatisfactory state of affairs m Waihi. as a consequence of the existing strike." It was! resolved to send a copy > of the above resolution to the Hon. Mr Hepries and Mr Poland. .. /•-< •'-'■'•