Labour Questions

Waikato Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5157, 14 November 1912, Page 5

Labour Questions

Received 9 a.ra., 14tb. London, November 13. A conference of the South Wales Miners’ Federation at Cardiff reduced the leaders’ salaries from £4 and £6 to £3 weekly. In a state of excitement the leaders rose in a body and threatened to strike. A confused and angry debate ended in an abrupt adjournment. * Hobart, November 13. There are rumours that the miners at Mount Lyell contemplate a strike as a protest against being suspected of intended incendiarism owing to the discovery of cotton waste on the 600 ft level of the mine. The management state they have heard nothing of any intention to strike. All thev desire is to have the presence of waste in such a place explained. AfLairs at Waihi By Telegraph—Press Association. Waihi, Last Night. _ Upon inquiry at the hospital this afternoon it was stated Constable Wade waa mending well, and is considered to be out of danger. Evans, in spite of a terrible man-handling, is now expected to recover. Among the minor incidents this morning was a hare-and-hounda chase through the ti-tree after some federationiats, who at Bull Town were annoying the wife of a worker. Several men suspected of hailing from Huntly and with leanings towards the Federation of Labour, arrived by the midday train, and were met at the station by a picket. Arbitrationists, who closely examined them as to their intentions warned them that the best way to save trouble would bo to repot t themselves to the local arbitrationists leader. The visitors denied any connection with the Federation, and said they were simply sightseers. The fact that the police don’t miss much was proved by their having searched these suspected visitors when the train was at Waikino to see if they carried arms or ammunition. Wellington, Last Night. The Minister of Justice, Hon. Mr Herdman, has been kept well informed in regard to Waihi happenings, and he is not inclined to regard the sensational incident of terday as giving any cause fer further alarm. “Things are fairly quiat now,” he said, when speaking to a Press representative this afternoon, “and there is no attempt at rioting.” From information in the Minister s possession, tho strikers have effaced themselves for the time being, at least, though they appear in isolated localities to annoy the workers. The latter, to meet these tactics, have appointed pickets who patrol the outskirts of the town, and when the rival pickets meet there is a lively skirmish. , Perhaps the most reassuring indication is the Minister’s decision not to send any more police to Waihi. “The information I have received,” he said, “leads me to believe that there is nothing to be alarmed about, and that no more police are required. The unfortunate incident which culminated in the wounding of Constable Wade could not have been averted if there had been two hundred more policemen in the town. I believe that the strike is practically off.” Waihi, This Day. Evans Died Last Night.

Situation at Huntly By Telegraph.—Press Association. Huntly, Last Night. The Waikato Miners’ Union some time ago built a splendid hall here, but financial reasons prevented their occupation. The difficulty, however, was apparently overcome, and several meetings have been held in tho hall lately, including a big meeting last night. Messrs Semple, Webb and Fraser arrived yesterday morning from Auckland, and Messrs Wesley Richards and Kennedy from Waihi. At a special meeting of miners addressed by these delegatus last night, the Waihi delegates inveighed bitterly against the treatment meted out to the Federationists of Waihi, and attributed the trouble to tho presence of the police in, the town. It waa tha current talk in town yesterday that steps were to be taken at this meeting in connection with the calling of a general strike, but, beyond the fact that a general strike waa talked of at Ihe meeting, no news has yet leaked out. the whole of the delegates left by the late train lust night after thfi meeting, being escorted to the station by a number of miners who cheered the Federation and leaders as the train left.

It is understood that a delegation is going to Wellington, and the avoidance of Waihi at such a critical time by Mr Semple is evoking acrid comment from even his own followers. The organiser of tho new union is in Waihi, and the acting secretary in Auckland, so progress is slow in the meantime Both are expected to return here, however, in a few days, when matters arc to be pushed Whatever the reason, the visit of tho delegation here yesterday has added to the situation a tenseness lacking for some time past The formation of the new union necessarily leads to bitterness, which is carried even into the domain of sport All classes in the community wish to see some kind of definite settlement, as the state ot suspense is very trying in business matters, making people afraid to risk any capital in any enterprise Wellington, This Day. A manifetao has been issued by Messrs Webb. Semple and Glover, on behalf of the fed«rationiats, giving their version of the recent events in Waihi, but it is of a nature which does not lend itself to telegraphy. It contains accusations of theft, aspersion against the police and other people, and a number of simi- ( lar statements which are not covered by the law of libel, and make frequent use of tho offensive term “scab.” Waihi, This Day. The police yesterday searched several’ strikers’ dwellings in Bulltown, a suburb of Waihi, and diss, covered some gelignite explosive, fuse, caps, cartridges and revolvers and a gun, which were taken to the police station. Both Wade and Evans are showing improvement. Released from Gaol.

Bv Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Bonds were taken out this afternoon at three o’clock, before Mr Frazer, S.M., for the release of four of the imprisoned strikers in Mt. Eden goal, including Parry, the president of the Waihi Union. This morning two members of the Federation of Labour visited lurry at the gaol, and, after a consultation with him, asked the gaoler, Mr Ironsides what course would have to ha followed in taking out the bonds. The preceding before a Magistrate this afternoon was the outcome. Mr p Fraser, a member of the Federation Executive, has put up the bond have signed sureties, and will be reeased tonight. Kuluz was one of the last hatch to come in. The other three were m the first batch. Parry, seen by a Star reporter, said- “We know nothing of what has been going on,” and declined to make any further statement.