WAIHI DAY BY DAY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 71, 16 November 1912, Page 2

WAIHI DAY BY DAY.

THE AFTERMATH. (Per Press Association.) Waihi, November 15. The complete transformation of the aspect and condition of affairs in the community occurring ■with such remarkable rapidity is almost, the sole topic of discussion amongst the inhabitants of the town. The first indication of the change was the demonstration of workers after coming off work early on Saturday last. The presence of a large body of workers in Scddon street during Saturday afternoon asserting their rights to the free use of the streets without molestation, which had been denied to them, and to their wives for weeks past, had such an effect, on the Fcderationists that if was apparent that the tide was turning. The disuse of the epithets “Scab,” “Mongrel,” and a score of other offensive terms so prevalent ir, the town practically ceased from Saturday, and to-day these epithets arc now an almost unknown quantity. The stand taken by the workers that afternoon and evening showed conclusively that they no longer intended to take any more insults. Retaliation sure and swift became their watchword from that moment, and as a result of the resolution entered on by the whole of the workers the sudden outbreak of Monday morning last occurred in Seddon street. “You Dirty Scab,” from the lips of the Fcderationists -tc one of the workers as they were marching in a body to work was the primary cause of the melee which follow cd, and, the, utter rout of the Federationista’pn ' the following morning (Tuesday) witnessed the climax. “Yov, Lopsy Scabs,” hurled at the workers as ‘ they • passed the Union doors en route to work, brought about the disastrous events of that day, and the complete downfall of the Federation of Labour organisation in Waihi. The pent up passion occasioned by the insulting and terrorising methods of the Federation]'sts against the workers and their families ever since the Waihi Company commenced operations at its Waikino battery eight weeks ago and re-opened its mine was let loose. Added to. this was the shooting of a constable and a worker. The fury of the crowd knew no bounds, and those Fcderationists who had been conspicuous in the ranks of insultere were chased in all directions, and in many cases roughly handled. Fortunately for this section of the Fcderationists there were not many about in the streets. / However, before the day was out a list*of names of conspicuous ones was prepared, and these men were warned.,to; leave -the town within -18 hours. During the afternoon and evening a number of these Federationists hurriedly took their departure. The exodus of Fcderationists and their families has since been in daily evidence. A pleasing feature of the present position Jn Waityj is the fact that many women who been compelled to keep indooj-s for weeks in order to avoid the insults huHcd at them by the “Scarlet arc now enabied to appear in the streets without any fear of such insults,, and they, are taking full advantage' of the freedom afforded them. The “Scarlet Runners” are ,seen in the usual, but their behaviour is good.'. Their past conduct has received no retaliation whatever fro iff the ’JLrJjitrationists or their womtn folk. >-Great indignation is expressed in Waihi at the manifesto issued by the Federation with reference to the state of affairs at Waihi. Most of the accusations are characterised’ as falsehoods, and the rest as gross exaggerations. Tile following notice was telegraphed by Mr W. E. Parry for publication in the local papers:—“All Waihi strikers, families and female dependents desirous of leaving Waihi for the time being may procure tickets for Auckland, Thames, and intermediate stations on application to the stationmaster at Waihi for the same and personal luggage only.” The local stationmaster intimated this evening that he had received instructions from his department to issue tickets to applicants. A number had applied prior to the stationmaster receiving instructions. It is anticipated that many will take advantage of the facilities afforded.

CONSTABLE WADE. Waihi, November 15. Constable Wade, the victim of last Tuesday’s shooting, had a good night, and to-day showed signs of improvement, though the doctor states that he is not out of danger. SEMPLE’S STATEMENT. Christchurch, November 15. Mr Semple, organiser of the Federation of Labour, in the course of an interview, stated that he would not be afraid to go back to Waihi. Ho wishes it to bo clearly understood that there was no fear in his veins, and though ho had been sentenced to death, if he returned to Waihi he would not seek police protection. He stated that most of the women had been got away. Committees in Auckland had been formed to look after them. Ho gave a denial to the reports that when he left Waihi he sought refuge from the blacklegs who followed him to the station. THE DEATH OF, EVANS. Auckland, November 15. A crowd assembled at the station tonight when the body of the deceased miner Evans was brought to Auckland. The body was placed on a hearse and a crowd of over two hundred workers followed it up the street. The proceedings were quiet and orderly. The body was then taken to the undertakers, where a post mortem was performed at the request rff the Federation by two doctors. They certified that death resulted from a blow on the head.

OUTSIDE THE GAOL. A DEJECTED BAND. HOW THEY RECEIVED THE NEWS FROM WAIHI. Auckland, November 15. It was just at nightfall that the prison door swung open and sixty-throe self-made “martyrs” marched out oi the gaol two deep and stood against the wall until the final word for their freedom was given by the chief gaoler. Outside there were a dozen women, forty or fifty children, and some sixty Federationists. Some of the women were from Waihi, eager to tell their husbands, brothers, and lovers of I lie great change in the strike town. Some of the men, too, were fugitives, and they talked bitterly of their forced flight from the place which had been their home. Then came greetings. When the welcomes were over the question arose, “Where are we going? What arc we going to do?” Sixtythree men needed board and lodging. They came out from prison, but they had been fed well and sheltered. They said themselves, without exception, that they had been well treated. The warders Vore good fellows. The gaol faro had been what gaol fare should be, but. what were they going to do? In a ragged procession the released men walked from gaol with their friends. It was then they learned the details of what had happened in Waihi. The men cursed as the women told their tales and swore vengeance on everybody; but after a time they became dejected, and many were obviously depressed. “We’ll wait to hear what Parry says,” they murmured. The procession made its way to the Theosophical Society’s rooms, but only the released men, were allowed to enter the hall. They went in, some cheerfully, to hoar “what Parry had to say.” What he did say did not impress them that the strike had succeeded; it merely stirred them to bitter feelings against -the workers whom they had persecuted too much. They were as far off as ever from the solution of their difficulty—“ What are we going to do?”