THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13456, 29 June 1912, Page 5

THE WAIHI STRIKE.

DISORDERLY MASS MEETING.

PROPOSALS FOR SOLUTION.

[United Prkss Association.]

Waihf, June 28. Mr Joseph Foster addressed a nublic meeting this evening, his subject being the trouble in Waihi, and statements made by leaders of the Federation of Labour, and pointing to a way to secure a solution of the dispute. There was mi attendance of about 800. At the outset it was evident that preconcerted action had been determined upon by a very large section of the meeting, to break up the proceedings. The arifjearance oh. the platform of Mr Foster was greeted with an outburst of "boos." A vice-president of the Miners' Union asked if a union member could take the platform to reply to Mr Foster...

The chairman intimated that ouestions could be asked, but the platform could not be occupied by members from the audience.

The reply acted almost magically, for immediately a great exodus occurred, and in a few minutes the large building was more than half emptied. This the impression that the majority of the miners are not yet seeking a settlement of the dispute. Mr Foster then proceeded with his address. He said it was for the right thinking members of the Wajhi Union to insist on steps being taken towards a settlement by demanding a ballot of the members on the question of cutting off from the Federation, and adopting legal methods with a view to' y & solution. This could be done : by say, four or five of their members-to confer with the mine owners, anddjcawing up an agreement, which could then be ratified by "the Arbitration Court. The Federation in its dying struggle fallen back on thatt iniquitous organisation known as the 1.W.W., which advocated destructive methods in coping with disputes.