WAIHI STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1441, 16 May 1912, Page 5

WAIHI STRIKE.

UNIONIST VIEWS. SUPPORT FOR THE STRIKERS POSSIBILITY OF TROUBLE EXTENDING. IBt Teloffroph-Frsss Association.! Auckland, May 15. Mr. P. Fraser, president of the General Labourers' Union, and a member of the executive of the Federation of Labour, in discussing tho position at Waihi this morning, said that go far no official communication- regarding tho strike had been received by his union from Waihi. There wns not the slightest doubt, however, that all unions affiliated with the Federation of Labour would support tho Waihi miners in tho attitude they had taken up. It was quito clear that no other course had been left open to tho men. but to strike, and in his opinion, when the truth came out, it would very probably bo found that there- was more behind tho trouble than at present anponrcd.

It would bo patent to every student of industrial problems (hat different unions in tho one industry could not be tolerated, particularly when a mere handful wanted to adopt a course that was deemed undesirable by tho vast majonty of members employed in that industry. Under the Act 'it wns possible for 15 men to get together snd form a union which would be registered under the Act, and they could then go for an award which would govern the working conditions of all the others. In this case his union hns been informed that tho winders were not by any means unanimous, and that about 15 meii were trying to dictate to 1500. If such a thing was permitted it would mean the death knell of unionism. In this particular case, if tho winders wcro members of a different union they could in !V ?y, ent a strike by the miners wind scab labour'in and out of the mines without hindrance. Such a position was not to bo tolerated.

Asked in what direction the Fedora■n ■ , Labollr «'«! Hie affiliated unions jntlim tho organisation were likely- to taKo action, Mr. Fraser said that" that was for the Federation Executive to sir. u P°" ld ,je Men for granted, however, that the unions would back up Hie Waihi minors with tho utmost determination. .1 lie state of aftairs in the industrial market generally was regarded by union oflicials as very unsatisfactory in manv respects. In various industries there were frequent cases of victimisation reported find tho atmosphere was becoming decidedly thick in manv quarters Such l«ng the ca«>, there was a possil oiiity of the trouble extending. In" fl> e ease oi the Wnihi trouble, the worked were eerfnmly confident of a "walk over" ami the Wfiilu men could rest assured of the solid supnorfc of unionists throughout tho Dominion. "

LABOUR LEADERS CONFIDENT,

EARLY VICTORY EXPECTED,

(Bj Telegraph-Special Correspondent.)

* n. Auckf a"'f, Mar 13. Another Labour leader, when mterviewf¥ a (r"- S t al '" "Preseetotive, said that until official word of the position came from YVailn, it was difficult to say just what stand the affiliated unions in "Auckland would take. A protracted etruesle was not anticipated, though it would of course, remain to bo seen how far the winders were prepared to go, and to what extern, they were prepared financially to put up a fight. If tho strike gave signs of lasting, then the affiliated unions throughout New Zealand would come to the assistance of the 1500 men on strike, and strike levies would be madn for as long as was required. Oii present indications, however, ho did not see how tho trouble could last very long. One of the cardinal privileges in connection with ft miners' union was the provision that fho winders must bo members of tho Miners' Union, and it Wfls for this principle that tliia Wnihi men were now fighting, The unions affiliated with the Federation of Labour would back tho Waihi Union with tho utmost determination.

An attempt had been-made bv tho enemies of the federation to make capital of tho recent dispute between the General Labourers' Union and tho Auckland City Council and other local bodies, and it had been declared that the success of-Jtv. Parr on tho occasion of tho last Mayoral election had represented a. serious blow to their cause. That this impression was wrong the federation would now only too gladly disprove. If the Waihi (rouble became really serious, it

was possible that the tramway employees, transport workers, and others affiliated with the federation, would bo called upon to participate in the light, but it was more likely that their 'assistance would only ■be necessary in the direction of moral and financial support. EFFECT ON THE TOWN. BOROUGH COUNCIL RETRENCHING.. (By Telegraph-Press Association) Waihi, May , 15. The town its quiet, and everything is very ordinary. A special meeting of the Borough Council wns held yesterday afternoon to I consider tho borough's position with regard to the strike. The Mevor said if the strike continued ho could not sea how the council could carry on in tho matter of ways and means. The Town Clerk said he understood the bank was willing to finance the sanitary aud gas services if the cost was reduced to tha barest necessities. Tho general opinion of councillors was that the strike would last some time. It was decided that all maintenance and formation hands be discharged, including the foreman, that all the gasworks hands, except those abFoluielr necessary, bo discharged, and that oil tho carters, stone-workers, and co-operative contractors be put off. Tho sanitary service is to bo retained; also the library will bo from tho retrenchment. It was decided that tho street lamps bo put out at 11 p.m. to conserve the'gas.

It is reported that the warehouses have decided to restrict the credit of Waihi tradesmen. Tho latter are to demand cosh over the counter for all goods.

A dance far miners and their wive 3 was held last night. There was a largo attendance, and everything passed off happily.

It is understood that the mniter of the strike is now practically in the hands of the Federation of Labour. It is quite on the tapis that nil unions under the Federation may bo implicated.

A? the borough cannot continue payments to the hospital, it is understood an appeal will be made to the Government for help. Tho hospital is full. The general opinion is that the strike will continue for some fime. Already a number of young men are talking of a protrarted holiday in Australia. The union is preventiri? the enrrins-o of materia! In both mines and batteries. Some carters who were loadini; coal "t the railway station for the Grand Junction this morning- wore induced by nickets to ee.ise work. The Grand .Tunciion hns machinery lyin? at the sKtlinn, and cannot s;ot it to (lie mine. The strike continues lo lv> conducted in an orderly manner. Everything is quiet. Pome recent arrivals express surprise nt the quiet. orcterlv state of affairs and were evidently looking- out for excitement. Meetings of union officials seem to be frequent. There is certainly every ,aniwirance of a prolonged strv.sfale. Crowds of men line the fnnlnnihs, dismissing what is a general topic of conversation.' FUNDS FOR THE ENGINE-DRIVERS. ATICKXAXD SUBSCH TPTfO.V. (By Mcsrapli—Press Association.! Auckland, May 15. The members of (he Kui;ino-drivors' and Winders' I'liinn »i Wnihi will not bo left without financial n«sistjincoi while the strike nf the Miners' I'nion compels Diem to remain ouf_ of work. The Kwjinedrivers' am! Winders' t'nion is registered under the Arbitration Act. and there is a strniiß fceliwr nmomrst business people ■ hoi'B th<it the Act should bo upheld in the trouble precipitated by tiiq miners, Ae

fcha result of this feeling it was decided to open subscription lists to-day to provide a fighting fund to Biipport Hie Engine-drivers' Union in its efforts to conform to tho conditions of tho Act. Over £i(\ has been collected already, and other promises are forthcoming.

THE MINISTER'S INTENTIONS. MEDIATION NOT YET REQUESTED. Christchufch, May 15. On being interviewed regarding the labour trouble at Waihi, the Hon. Q. LauroiKSon, Minister for Labour, telegraphed to the Secretary for Labour asking him to furnish him with all information procurable regarding the trouble, so that ho might go into the matter thoroughly, lie did not know whether it would l)e necessary for him to go up to Waihi, but he would Bte to that when he reached Wellington. Neither party had yet approached him to mediate. Ho thought, however, that it would be quite possible to effect a settlement, mid he was not nt all anxious on that score.

NO ACTION AT lIUNTLY. Auckland, May 15. Tho "Herald's" Huntly correspondent slates that so far there is no talk of ft strike there. The consensus of opinion among those minors spoken to is that the Waihi trouble is a matter for local, rather than for general, adjustment. The union meek to-night to discuss remits to tho conference of labour representatives to bo held at Wellington shortly, but as far as can lie ascertained the strike question is not oii tho agenda. "CLOSED DOWN." Auckland, May 15. The manage* of tho Waihi Extended Mine, in addition to his weekly report, sent the following to the directors: ''Owing to the Miners' "Union having withdrawn the men from the mines, the mine is closed down until the matter is settled. There is nothing in the mine that can receive any damage, as the fires have been withdrawn end tho mine buildings locked up." I