THE TROUBLE AT WAIHI.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 33, 2 October 1912, Page 5

THE TROUBLE AT WAIHI.

FEDERATION OF LABOUR APPROVES THE MEN’S ACTION. PREPARED TO GO TO GAOL, fPer Press Association.) Waihi, October 1.

At a mass meeting of strikers this afternoon the chairman announced that the business was to appoint pickets in connection with the resumption of work at the Waihi mine, and also to hoar Mr. Fraser’s (a member of the executive of the Federation cf Labour) message. The latter addressed the men. Ho said that, the Federation approved of everything the Waihi men had done, including the decision of those going to gaol, and,that the Fed'Oration was ’satisfied, that the mine'owners were beaten but would not give in. Even if the mine .owners admitted defeat, he hnen now in gaol 'would have to be released before the strike would be off. The companies were getting outsiders in for the purpose of decoying local men to return to work. In the speaker’s opinion the 500 strikers would go to gaol before Petnfnmg td’fimrk finder existing omP ditioils. He criticised the Commissioner of Police’s blue-coats, and added that every member of the executive was prepared to go to gaol if necessary. An elaborate system of picketing for to-iporrow, was then arranged, men being appointed to occupy various points in the vicinity of the Waihi mine. The chairman instructed the men not to use violence, but tactics Such as calling men “scabs,” etc., were to be indulged in as much as thos liked. Ho said the police were only waiting a chance of a riot to justify their coming to Waihi. Ho asserted that only about three Waihi Union men were going back to work. Included in the programme for to-morrow the women wore to have the use of 1 be hall and to have a roving commission.