WAIHI STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1443, 18 May 1912, Page 5

WAIHI STRIKE.

SOOIAWST ORATOR ARRIVES,

NOtH-STRIKERS BOYCOTTED.

NO DISORDER IN THE TOWN,

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

. Waihi, May 17. / The wives and families of tho striker* patronised a sports gathering in great numbers this afternoon. On tho arrival i>f Mr. Scott Hewictt, the Socialist lecturer, at the strikers' demonstration he was cheered.

Mr. Bennett, in addressing, the strikers, said the spirit of solidarity which was manifest convinced him that the "infuinous attempt" engineered by "tho bosses" to creiito a "scab" union would fail ignoinuiiously. The strike lu\d the sympathy i ® surprising number of woricrs' in Auckland, from whom ho conveyed fruternaj greeting and good wishes. 110 I'ouimly condemned Uio capitalistic press as _ mouthpieces of tho "bosses," from \v,hicl}' no fair treatment could bo expected Speaking of the Federation of Laboy.r ho said that so far it had been a militant organisation in New Zealand, tut ho hoped no worker would desert it on account of its iniii'-aiicy, but join ifi tile endeavour to perfect the organisation into one big union of workers, so that when a fight was pressed upon them tlioy would have the requisite fovco to light and win. 3Te hoped that the union's prompt nnd effective action would raise tho workers generally throughout tho length and bn-adth of New Zealand, and revive some of tho old-time fighting spirit, so that they Mould see ilm need for organisation and for evincing that spirit Wn something was to be obtained. Mr. Dennett congratulated the im!on"nn tho promptitude with which it had acted, and added that he was sure victory awaited tho strikers.

At mi early hour Ihia evening His strikers began to congregate in the Main street, and hy 7.30 p.m. there were over a thousand dii the vicinity or tho Miners' Union Hal!. A fenturo of the asseinbl&go was their pcrfcct orderliness. As soon as tho doors of the hall opened, tho "building steadily filled iil) there was no -v/icant space, a crowd remaining in front of the open doors.

Mr. Scott Bennett, the Socialist lecturer, gave them a vigorous harangue, praising the union executive for their prompt action and lauding the nuick response ot the men in "downing' tools." A pronounced phase of the strike is the method of boycott adopted by strikers. In every bcardinghoiiso where'the strikers have their abode no'i-sfrikei's are ferreted out. and (ho landlady or landlord is requested to turn out the latter I at, a moment's notice, or otherwise'they"(thp strikers) will leave in a body. In mast cases it is o, question of the landlord asking ona boarder to go, as against losing twenty. A lanro number' of men who have no sympathy with the strikers are preparing to make their exit from tho town. Somo have already made their departure.

ihe WfliM Union states that it has no official communication regarding the Hunt, l.v miners' action in stopping all coal sn[>plies, and is surprised that this has been done without consulting the strike committee. In tho meantime supplies foi household purposes cannot be obtained, as tho dealers have refused to fulfil orders.

.Delegates representing: the new Enginedrivers' Union, at tin; request of " tho engine-drivers at Waikino, visited that plnco yesterday, and explained the aims and objects of Sho now union, and before the meeting dispersed sixteen handed in their names as members.

Mr. Parry, president of the Miners' and Workers' Union, leavos for Wellington this evening. Before the strike the pumps at the Waiiii mi no had been going at tho average rate, lifting over two million gallons of water every twenty-four hours. It is anticipated that when the task of unwatering- tho mine is undertaken it will bo a stupendous one. At ilia Borough Oounoil meeting last night the engineer stated that, in view of the retrenchment caused by the strike, ho would consent to a reduction being made- of 'his salary from .12400 !o X'3oo. Xotico of motion has boon given (hat (lie engineer bo dispensed with altogether. In connection with the Mayor's honorarium, which is aJ 150, tliero waj discussion, and a motion for reduction to ,£ao wa3 under consideration when tho closing time arrived, and tho matter wes held over.