THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 19, 20 May 1912, Page 6

THE WAIH I STRIKE.

DLSREGAR iHXG! THE LAW. (Por Press Association.) Wailii, May 20. All' M. Savage, speaking at a demonstration, said he line! seen tin l Act and had found that the action of the en-gine-drivers in forming a union was lawful; hut the law was made for man and if man was dissatisfied with the law he had a light in kicking it aside. PATROL DI 'TV CEASED. AVaihi, May 20. Tn regard to the tally clerks ceasing patrol duty it appears now that no demand by the strike committee officially was made, hut individual strikers threatened certain clerks styling them “scabs,” and in a conference with the mine superintendent these clerks asked the company’s protection, but the latter could not see their way to comply with this. “TILL THE CRACK OE DOOM.” AVaihi, May 20. The new union ('engine-drivers and winders) issued this morning a statement giving reasons why they formed the union. They state that they can no longer tolerate the branch of the union, whose officials embrace every opportunity of insulting the Empire and its rulers, ridiculing traditional beliefs, scoffing at all religion and heating Forth anti-militarism, atheism.and revolutionary Socialism in season and out. The statement concludes with a firm intention to hold to their present position till the crack of doom. As a result of the strike committee’s

interference with the tally clerks of the Waihi Company who are acting as

patrols and their demand that they should knock off, H. P. Larry, superintendent, has advised the men to cease in order to save further trouble.

PRECIPITATE ACT!OX. Wellington, May 20. The Minister for Labour, speaking to a "Post" reporter said the miners had struck at Waihi without waiting until the Department had decided whet::er it would register the new enginedrivers union or net. The Department had received a protest against registration of a second engine-drivers' union in the Auckland district, as one already existed in Auckland which did uot include firemen. , The Department has telegraphed to the officials of the existing body, asking it it will include firemen. That union is taking a ballot on the question. In the meantime the Government can do nothing, it had not been approached by cither of the contestants.