THE WAIHI TROUBLE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 25, 23 September 1912, Page 5

THE WAIHI TROUBLE.

SERVANT GIRLS LEAVE HOTEL

WAITING ON THE MAN IN BLUE

(Per Press Association.)

Waihi, September 23

A demonstration took place outside Sheffield's Commercial Hotel on Saturday, evening. Mr Sheffield stater, that on Thursday night four girls interviewed Mrs Sheffields, stating that they would not work with one girl (alaundress) as her sympathy was not with the strikers. Mrs Sheffield replied that she could not be dictated to re whom she employed, and if they didn't like working with the girl they could take 37 hours' notice. This was accepted and the time expired on Saturday night. i

The report current states that the girls refused work .because they had to wait upon policemen, but there is no truth in the rumour. The question of waiting on the police never cropped up.

The girls left the hotel on Saturday night and were lustily cheered by the crowd outside. Mr Sheffield says he has not been put to any great inconvenience by the event, and is expecting some girls from Auckland in, a few days. Ho al&o states there was a needlewoman in the hotel who was waited on by the union executive and cautioned not to wait on policemen.

SEMPLE STIRS UP AUCKLAND. DEMONSTRATION IN WELLINGTON AT THE WEEK-END. Auckland, September 23/ A meeting was held in the Opera House last evening protesting again&t the imprisonment of Waihi strikers. The speakers included Mr Semple, and the following resolution was carried without dissent: "This meeting of Auckland workers demand the immediate release of the Waihi strikers in gaol, whose only crime has been loyalty

and duty to their own class. Wo further unhesitatingly endorse their action in going to gaol rather than he placed under police supervision with all its pernicious liberty-snatching, and pledge ourselves to act in whatever manner may he deemed advisable.

Mr Semple states that he intends leaving Auckland for Wellington tonight and intended organ's ng a demonstration at the end of the week in

Wellington