Thames Miners' Union.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXIX, Issue 8945, 21 January 1898, Page 4

Thames Miners' Union.

THE PEESIDENT AT WAIHI.

AN IMPOETANT DISCUSSION.

Waihi, January 18. A meeting of the Waihi branch of the Miners’ Union was held on Saturday evening, to discuss with the President of the Union (Mr W. H. Potts) some questions affecting the well-being of the Waihi branch. Over 100 were present. The Waihi, steward (Mr James Lang), having introduced the President, that gentleman briefly recapitulated the progress made by the Union during the past two years, since he had last been in Waihi. Flourishing branches were now in existence at Coromandel, Kuaotunu, Cabbage Bay, Opitonui, Tapu, Karangahake, Waiorongomai, Waitekauri, and Waihi, and the Union was steadily increasing in strength all over the field. The Sunday labor question had been firmly dealt with, and the assistance of the Hon. Mr Cadman, M.H.R., and Mr McGowan, M-H.R., had been effective in getting passed an Act to put a stop to all but necessary work on. Sundays. Various other small disputes had been settled in a satisfactory manner. He would have visited Waihi oftener, but no request for a visit had been made. The particular object of his present visit was .to ascertain the local men’s views as to the erection of a hall to take the place of that burnt down in the late fire. He had seen Mr Simms, who stated that a building 40ft by 25ft could be put up for a little over £2OO, to which sum he. was limited by his Committee. It would be an iron building with a 13ft or 14ft stud, and match-lined. Mr Potts concluded by inviting questions. Mr Lang asked how it was that if, as stated by Mr Potts, Waihi and Coromandel were about equal in membership, W aihi contributed about £IOO more than any other branch ? The reply was that Coromandel had been steadily increasing its roll during the year, while W uihi’s membership had come from the previous year. In reply to Mr Poland, Mr Potts stated that the members in thp Union were roughly :—Thames 650, Waihi 300, Coromandel 300, Cabbage Bay 80, Kuaotunu 30, Opitonui 100, Tapu 40, Karangahake 100, Waiorongomai 50, 'Waitekauri 100, Opitonui was rapidly increasing. Mr Campbell asked why the Waihi branch coul i not have more say in the management of the affairs of the Union. He would like to have more control over the financial and other affairs of the Union. Mr Potts answered that the local Committees could make suggestions to the central Committee, and such suggestions would be carefully considered.

Mr Poland asked what power the Committee has So far as he could see they might take,what x suggestions they liked, or send a delegate to the Thames to explaiq their views, but all the power was in the hands of the Thames people. The Thames people were, no doubt, fair enough in their own way, but they did not always understand the circumstances. The Union would be much strengthened if a reform were made in the management by which a Central Committees elected by the branches, according to numbers, would manage the affairs of the Union, while the local Committee controlled .the local business, Mr Potts stated that Le had always supported the outside branches, but he was often overruled. He had tried to get a vote of money for the ■ School of Mines lately established, hut a clique hj id rolled up to the meeting and defeated his object. Mr Gilder asked if it were true, as reported in the Press, that Mr Potts had represented the previous movement in Waihi in favor of more local control, as being a movement for sepaiation. Mr Potts replied, “No, the Press reports were not true. My own written report can be seen.” Mr Gilder then referred to the loose way, as he cons dered it, in which the affairs of the Union were conducted. It was fortunate that the Stewards wore honest men, or the funds would have suffered. He pointed out from his experience of other Unions and Friendly t ooieties, that it would be very easy to form a District Board with branches. , Mr Potts stated (hat there would be difficulty in amending the constitution of the Union, and that he was not in favor of the District Board idea. In reply to Mr Lang, Mr Potts said that he had not stated that the Waihi Steward was the best paid officer in the Union ; and that the Waihi Committee’s request for an increase of £lO a year had been thrown out by the Thames Committee. After some further discussion a motion, by Mr Angus Campbell, seconded by Mr Poland, was carried unanimously in favor of an amended constitution of the Union, The proposal for a hall, 40ft by 30ft, act 2bit, was, after a little dis-

cussion, carried; and Mr Potts said he believed ha could promise that it would soon be built. The usual votes of thanks concluded the meeting,—Waihi Miner.