CONFERENCE AT WAIHI.

West Coast Times, 19 June 1912, Page 2

CONFERENCE AT WAIHI.

NO BUSINESS DOING. MR. SEMPLE’S THREAT; [rnfi riiESB AssooiAtiON.-^-corTaiaiiT.] WAIHI, June 18. A conference between delegates from the Gold-Mine Owners’ Association and the Federation of Labour, was commenced this afternoon.

The Association was represented by Mr. 6. Rhodes (chairman), Mr. H. P. Barry (Waihi), Mr. W. E. Evans (Reofton), Mr. D. McArthur (Grand Junction), Mr. H, H, Adams (Auckland), Mr. H. Stansficld and Mr, J. McCombie (Karangahake) and Mr. J. Pryor (secretary). The Federation representatives were I—Messrs 1 —Messrs P. 0. Webb (president), R, Semple (organiser), W. E. Parry (vicepresident), P. Fraser (Auckland Generai Labourers), G. R. CronTey (president of the Inangahua Miners' Union). In opening the proceedings the chairman said they had met in accordance with a request from tho Federation of Labour and tho Mine-owners’ Association was prepared to hear what

Federation had to say. In answer to Mr. Semple tho chair-

man said it was tho wish of tho minoowrors that tho press should be present.

Mr. Semplo and his colleagues took strong exception to the presence tho reporters. Tho frequent misrepresentation in press reports, more particularly at such meetings as tho present, would lead to further misunderstaiding and create greater antagonism among all parlies concerned m. the public generally. After further discussion Mr. Semplo said that rather than the Conference should end at that stage, his colleagues would waive tho point. In reply to Mr, Semplo, Mr. Rhodes made it clear that whatever tho agreement between the delegates of the Federation and flic Association he represent®, it would have to bo a binding ono and that at present he saw no other way to effect this than through tho medium of the Arbitration Court. If tho Federation delegates could find a way that would be equally binding, then they would be glad to consider it.

Mr. Semple: “If wo cannot submit to you some proposal equally binding as the Arbitration Court am I to take it that you people are going to insist on an agreement being endorsed by the Court?” Mr, Rhodes: “It has got to bo that or equally good. Wo know of no other way, but it has got to be some solid way. I don’t know that 1 can make it clearer.” Mr. Semple said it was a very important point and ho would ask the delegates to explain their reasons for deviating from the present system. He maintained it had worked so well.

Mr. Rhodes said that Mr. Semple should surely know’ that there was only one reason, and that was that tho present agreement did not bind anybody. The Federation delegates then retired and on their return, Mr. Semple said that as far as they were concerned they wore not going to bo parties to Arbitration and proceeded to make a very long explanation.

Mr. Rhodes reiterated tho condition that tho only binding agreement as far as could bo seen, would bo under tho Arbitration Act.

Mr. Semple and Mr. Parry said that the officials of tho Waihi Company had cognisance of the information of tho Engine-drivers’ Union, and had had some hand in its formation. It was clearly their duty to prevent tho formation of the union in face of tho existing agreement, which ho contended tho local companies had broken agreement in spirit, and wore responsible for the present trouble. Tho Union had kept their compact in every way. He further contended that , the Waihi Company had aided and abetted tho formation of tho now union.

Mr. Rhodes in replying, said the Company had neither aided nor abettod tho formation of tho Engine-drivers' Union. Tho sworn evidence of Mr. Barry, superintendent of tho Waihi Company and Mr .McArthur, attorney for the Grand Junction Company showed that they had no knowledge that even a union was being formed until tho strike had been declared; and further, that no complaint about the union being formed had been made to the officials of the Company. During tho discussion it was pointed out that representatives of the Federation had declared that they did not respect agreements, and that they could be thrown aside. Mr. Hickey’s name was mentioned in this connection.

Mr. Semple replied that such Ideas wore not entered into by the Federation. Mr. Hickey had not been an official of the Federation for the past three years and his organisation Mold not bo held responsible for tho utterances of tho individual.

Inferring again to the Engme-drime Union, Mr. Semple said that the Union was in the minority and that they tried to coerce a majority. Ho concluded hy saying that as far a» they were concerned, they were not going to deviate one inch and wore not going to be parties to an agreement such as proposed by the oilier sides.

it) anticipation of their not finding way of making an agreement binding as required by his Association Mr. 11 bodes said he would submit the following ns agreed to by his Association :

“In respect to any agreement, that it ho a condition, precedent to any negotiation for a settlement of any cm sting differences between the members of the Gold-mine Owners* Association and any of thoir employees that any organisation of workers, with whom an agreement is proposed shall bo a body registered under the Industrial Concoliatioii and Arbitration Act.”

The matter of the Reefton dispute was discussed at some length.

Mr. Crowley intimated that as regards agreements, they wore bound only hy the respective signatures thereto and that they would rather take the risk than have such registerel under the Arbitration Act .

In answer to Mr. Pryor, Mr. Evans said that in South Africa, Mexico, the United States, Canada and at the Oiira tunnel (New Zealand), the pop-

per drills were worked by one man. The two man drill weighed 4901bs and the Wangh drill 721bs. Mr. Semple alleged that the popper drills were not used in Australia. He contended that the weight of the drill hao nothing to do with it. They were concerned with the health and lives of tba workers. Mr. Webb said that it was no use wasting further time. It was quite clear that the mine-owners had no irtention of entering upon an agree went, other than binding them down as slaves. He regretted that nothing had been done and would bid them goodbye. The Chairman said ho wished to deny a statement by -Mr. Parry that tho popper drills were not used singlebended in Waibi. He had a statement to the contrary.

Mr. Semple said they had come there thinking that something would be done. The gauntlet, however, had been thrown down,* and though they had the press and all sections ontsido too working class including a small section of the latter against them, yet they had sufficient confidence in tbe working classes of the country and of Australia, they would make it a bitter fight and to the end with tho gloves off. They were not as weak as many thought. The gloves were now off and it would be a fight with bare knuckles.

Mr. Rhodes: “All right, Sir, we will leave it at that.” This ended tho Conference.