THE MINING STRIKES.

West Coast Times, 17 June 1912, Page 4

THE MINING STRIKES.

FEDERATION PLANS AN ACTIVE CAMPAIGN. CIRCULAR SENT TO AUSTRALIA. The Federation of Labour on Friday issued the following official statement in connection with the trouble at Waihi and Reefton ;—.

The result of a full and vigorous discussion of tho Waihi and Reefton disputes by the recent conference of the Fcderation of Labour was to leave tho matter entirely in the hands of tho national executive, and it is tho power of tho executive to keep tho disputes sectional or to make them general. The executive has decided to conduct an active campaign on behalf of the Waihi and Reefton men, and will promote public meetings in all centres. It is believed that these meeting will condemn tho decision of the Crown Law Office respecting the registration of a minority of a trade, and also the attempt to introduce tho single-handed ‘popper.’

‘ For the purpose of securing support to the men on strike and locked out, tho executive has sent to Australia tho following circular: —

NEW ZEALAND FEDERATION OF LABOUR. APPEAL FOR FUNDS. “Wellington, June 7, 1912; “To the Unions of Australia: Fellow Unionists.—Greetings ! At the present time a bitter warfare is raging in New Zealand against militant labour organisation and unionism. The fightjust now is centred at the'goldfields at Waihi and at Reefton, in the North and South Island respectively, 2000 men being on strike or locked out. Briefly, the men are lighting for the right to refuse work with a scab union (knowing this would imperil all solidarity and working-class principle), and also against tho compulsory use of the ‘ peppor ’ by one miner instead of two (knowing this ‘speeding up’ means increased risk of minor’s phthisis and increased danger to life and limb). These arc the main issues at stake, hut, in addition, the men are opposing the further introduction of the subcontract system. For over a - month tho men at Waihi and Reefton have been ‘ out,’ and now find themselves not only up against tho Employers’ Federation, hut up against the power of legalised coercion, ranging itself on the side of tho wealthy mineownors. Wo enclose herewith a copy of the manifesto of the Federation of Lab;.!, on the situation, and without enlarg! upon the difficulties facing us, urgently and earnestly appeal to your union foi financial assistance. Tho miners of New Zealand have never been backuaid in aiding the unionists equally concerned in the protection and preservation of tho great Labour movement. In fellowship and common

cause for the Executive, P. 0. AVebb (president), R. Semple (organiser), J. Glover (Secretary), E. Canliam (transiwnt workers), P. Frazer (general labourers), H. T. Armstrong (co-opera-tn'° workers), AV. E. Parry (gold miners), J. Dowgray (coal miners.)” Tlio statement also announces; "The Executive has sent Messrs AVobb, Parry, and Fraser to AA r aihi to conduct the fight there, and delegated Mr Semple to tour the AVest Const and Mr. Howard to tour the South; Other executive members will act in their various centres. Messrs Hickey and Poss have been deputed to address meetings in As far nisi practicable, every union in the Dominion is to be approached and asked to render financial assistance to the men involved. Money is coming in freely.’' AVAIHI DEPOPULATED. The Auckland Star publishes the following from it s correspondent at AVailn on June 10th. At a mass meeting this morning the most importont business transacted was in connection with tne forthcoming applications by the ii-mnig companies for protection, and altei some discussion it was resolved no. to oppose the applications, it being pointed out in this connection that A the companies were pressed in the matter “scab” labour would be engaged to work the properties. inJ°w °r ,10 r - ile Strike is depopulatth!f 18 mterestin g to note that there is a difference of 121 fan proximately) in the daily average of pnpils attending the three schools. Curiously enough, there is no difference worth mentioning i„ connection with the Convent School. Ova- thirty pupils have left the District Hio-h -ehool recently, accounting for twenty amihes. The headmaster reports that it is now a common occurrence for the children to bring notes, stating that their family would be leaving for Australia next week. Several more families intend to leave shortly if no indication of settlement i s a t hand.

Coaches running to the railway station this morning wore full of passengers. I have it on excellent authority that some trucks of furniture have been despatched from WaiJii recently, and that approximately the number of people who have left is 500.