THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 23, 24 May 1912, Page 8

THE WAIHI STRIKE.

I THE CASK FOR THE MEN. (Per Press Association. } Wellington, May 13. The Strike Committee has issued ; manifesto in reply to the manifesto o the engine-drivers. Summarised, i states:—(l) In two previous attempts Ito form a union the engine-drive l ': publicly announced the fact, but on this occasion anonymous letters had been sent to several engine-driver;-, asking them to attend and bring a friend with thiem. The Miners' Union objected to the new union because, if it were registered, it would bring under the arbitration award more engine-drivers and firemen ivho are, members of the'Miners' Union than are comprised in the new organisation. (2) Ballots for the cancellation of the Miners' Union's registration were conducted on lines best calculated to conform with the Arbitration Act. The result was an overwhelming majority in favour of cancellation, after every member of the mines and batteries had been giveti an opportunity to racord a vote. (3) The matter of cancellation was first brought before the Miners' Union Committee by an engine-driver. A communication was forwarded to the Federation's solicitor, urging him to watch developments in the House, owing to rumours that attempts were being made to reduce the status of engine-drivers' certificates. So far no attempt had been made to bring this matter before the House. ( ( ) It is true that three years ago seme driver* obtained a small increase of wages, bringing them up to 10s 6d per shift, an increase of (id over the award. Since last July, however, all winding engines, with the exception of the small winch, had been considered uniform, insuring an lis shift. This further increase was obtained by the Miners' Union. The arbitration award did not exceed 10s. (5) A noteworthy fact was that the loading spirits in the new union could not pass the eyesight test. All enginedrivers examined by the Mines Coinmission favoured a medical examination of drivers. Thirty-ttro lives arc in the hands of drivers at one time, and it is essential that proper precautions should be adopted. The talk of drivers conforming La the law

does not conceal the fact that they would "scab" on fellow workers out on strike. Prominent members of the Drivers' Union informed an official of the Miners' Union that "The company is behind us, and if it is necessary to keep the pumps going, we will do so;" also that in the event of trouble the company will stick to the drivers and

grant them preference." (7) The resolution of the Minors' Union that its members would not be lowered by drivers, in the dispute was forwarded to the drivers' secretary, but not acknowledged. A deputation was then sent to talk the matter over, but war, refused admittance. The drivers complained of coercion, yet formed a union obviously at the- companies' dictates, in order to revise Judge Sims' coercive remark: "Sell your labour at

a certain price and refuse, and you are law-breakers." If the drivers were successful they would forte a majority of drivers and firemen who were bitterly opposed to arbitration under their award (9 and 10). The drivers' manifestos are characterised as puerile and irrelevant statements. One manifesto states also that the organise;' of the Federated Drivers of New Zealand visited Waihi recently, with the- intention of organising the local drivers, but learning of the tactics adopted by them he derided to have nothing to do with them.