THE Daily Telegraph WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WAIHI MINER TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1920. THE STRIKE SETTLEMENT

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XVII, Issue 5879, 6 April 1920, Page 2

THE Daily Telegraph WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE WAIHI MINER

TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1920. THE STRIKE SETTLEMENT

Hero shall the Press the People’s Right maintain, Qnawed by influence and anhribed by gam Here Patriot Truth her glorious precopts draw. Pledged to Religion Liberty and Law

The Waihi strike is over, and so far as the circumstances contingent upon such a dispute permit the men have been enabled to resume work to-day, whilst those who have not so for been provided for should be able lo return to their working points not later than to-morrow afternoon or Thursday morning. Before commenting upon the position generally wo would like to say we feel that the road towards a settlement was in no small measure paved by the prompt action of the Mayor and his colleague Mr G. Mathioson, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, m approaching the Prime Minister with a view to Government intervention at a stage when a deadlock had been reached by the parties to the dispute and the pros pects of an early settlement appeared remote. The delegation evidently impressed upon Mr Massey the necessity for immediate measures if the town was to be saved from serious loss if not from actual ruin, and it is to the Premier’s credit that he recognised that the gravity of the position was such that it brooked no delay in the adoption of steps towards a solution. The upshot was the arrangement by the Prime Minister of the conference between the disputant parties, with Mr P. Hally as chairman, in the hope that its deliberations might lead to the preparation of an agreement acceptable to both the mine owners and the men. Assisted by the conciliatory and tactful attitude adopted by the chairman, the parties achieved the object aimed at, as was clearly indicated by the result of the ballot of Saturday last, when an overwhelming vote was cast by the men in favour of accepting the revised terms offered by the mine owners’ representatives. Prom the outset we were nut prepared to admit that the conditions originally offered by the mine owners for the settlement of the dispute were such as to appeal to the workers in their employ, or that they could bo regarded as fair aud reasonable terms for the services given, provided the men on their part were willing to give an Ijonest day’s work in return. When their offer of a minimum wage of 12s 3d per diem was made we stated emphatically that it was not, in view of the increased cost of living, sufficient to enable a married man to maintain himself ai)d bis family m reasonable comfort. Having due regard to the fact that the mining industry is so situatefl that owing lo the existence of a standard price for gold and diver any increase in wages cannot as m other industries be passed on to the consumers, wo however now recognise that in their latest offer the owners’ representatives have endeavoured to meet the position fairly and honestly, and at the same time prHeeled the interests of tjieir shareholders who must have some return for the m-ney they have invested. That the great bulk of the men recognise and appreciate this is commendable, and while on the subject of the altitude adopted by the workers we will go further and say that, with but few exceptions, there was an inclination on their part towards moderation and conciliation that commanded I lie sympathy of those net immediately concerned ip, the industry, aud that the manner in which they conducted the s'rike was exemplary. If the workers continue to adopt this attitude there is no reason to anticipate other than that the mine owners representatives, i haying due regard to their responsibilities as trustee's to those whose interests they are called upon t ( o prpiccl, will on any future occasion tuat may £y:se, give full and fair consideration lo any claims that may be made. At the same time it must be recognised that should the time come when it can be shown that the industry is being taxed lo a limit which will not permit of further burden if gold mining is to be continued on a profitable basis I then a halt will have to be called. It is always optional with the men as lo whether they remain in the employ of mining companies or not, and if their demands should not bo fully conceded j i the event of an aeuto point being reached those ot ihem who may mj wish are at liberty lo seek employment el at - where. In such a contingency as this, aud vye hope it wi(J jiol aiise, it should be left to the individual to determine the .course he should pursue, agd there should be no coercion. It satisfied with tho working and other conditions tliej mnu who is prepared to continue on j should be allowed to do so. )