THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1444, 20 May 1912, Page 6

THE WAIHI STRIKE.

THE NEWEST PHASE. PROJECT TO CUT OFF THE COAL, BY WAIKATO MINERS. COAL COMPANY STANDS FIIIM. (By Telocraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, May 18. A pressman waited on Mr. E. W. Alison, chairman of directors of the Taupiri Coal Mines, Ltd., this morning to learn what decision had been arrived at. in regard to a resolution adopted by the Waikato Miners' Union on Wednesday last: "That wo send no more coal to Wiaihi unless Inorder of tho Waihi Miners' and Workers' Union." "Well," said Mr. Alison, "in order that the directors might bo quite clear as to tho precise meaning of the union's resolution a telegram was sent to the secretary of the Wailjato Miners' Union yesIterday._ The wording was as follows:— .'A special meeting of the directors will bo held to-morrow morning at ten to consider your union's resolution that no more coal be delivered to _ Waihi unless by order of tho Waihi Miners' Union. Does your union suggest tliat the company is to be precluded from supplying any coal whatever—household or otherwise—to Waihi unless b,v order of the Waihi miners' Union? I am directed to inform you that the several Waihi mining companies have cancelled all orders for coal supplies. Kindly reply in time for the directors' meeting.' "The reply received was as follows:— TTes, coal from Huntly must be sanctioned by the_ Waihi Strike Committee.'"

The chairman added that the directors had met this morning and had passed the following resolution unanimously:—"That the Waikato Coal Miners' Unio'n be informed that the directors of the Taupiri Coal Miners. Ltd., acting in the interests of the public generally, cannot, agree to the resolution of the union that no coal shall, be supplied to Waihi unless by order of the Waihi Miners' and Workers' Union and sanctioned by the Waihi Striko Committee."

Asked his opinion as to the probable result, Mr. Alison replied that he could not say what the union would do, but he sincerely hoped that wise counsels would prevail.

Questioned as to the position of the union Mr. Alison replied that tho Wnikato Coolminers' Union'had cancelled its registration, and had, he believed, joined the New Zealand Federation of Labour, The cancellation had taken place during the term of an .award of the Arbitration Court which does not expire until April 11, 1913, and the union were'still bound by that award, notwithstanding the cancellation: The penalties for breaches are pet out in tho award verv clearly so that it would appear that, should a- strike result at JTuntlv, it will bo prima facie evidence that the union has comniitted a broach of its fluty under the award, and this will render the union liable to a penalty of <£100. All clauses of th* award relating to conditions of work would also be ( suspended during a strike. '. 'There ,is a provision in tho Arbitration Act which is of snecial interest in this connection" Mr. Alison added. "The Amendment Act of 1308, in Clause 9, made special provision and imposed special penaltics with respect to strikes and lockouts in certain specific industries. Of tlie.so tlio ture or simply of coal pas is one. and the sale or delivery of coal (whether tor domestic or industrial purposes) J 9 another. A penalty not exceeding £2a can be imposed upon each person who strikes the section.""" noHce rotluired ** STRIKE HARANGUES. ' 1 n a \ , 1 . Waihi, May 19. On. Saturday night an, immense crowd thronged tho mam street, and a great audience listened to an'address by Mr Savage, of Auckland. Perfect orderli»la^ ttln : tlle fealure of tfio ihis.alternoon Mr. Savage addressed a ZfLT} ?g °/< ,rom i eu and men °' lt nt the Recreation Ground. He exhorted the men to remain fi rm and ho pointed out Hi, industrial development that fi, P' a ce all over the world—in the factory and m every walk of lifemade tho industrial solidarity of the working classes imporative. The work, crs must organise under a Head, and make common cause It ,vas foolish to think lor a moment that tho master classes were going to help the workers. Thev as workers, must help themselves. " The the either for lack of understanding or deliberately. It was quite evident that the employers wanted a national fight, and if they wanted a national fight, they could have it. {Applause.) He never knew anybody who looked for a fight thnf didn t get it. He believed that the Waihi strike was going to be carried out to a

, successful issue. He (the speaker) would be attending a conference at Wellington y ti. V,i f noting was done by that; time, tho Waihi miners would see , something done very soon after. In con- . eluding, he assured the gathering- that they .were not alone in this fight The workers m Auckland, and in every part of the Dominion would be there, and were equally as enthusiastic as the Waihi me,, (Applause.) MORE ABOUT COAL, Ti «oi >'■> -n Auckland, May lfl. iiie Mars Paeroa correspondent telegraphed yesterday as follows:—An attempt was made to-day to stop the cartase of coal from the Paeroa railway station to the. Waihi-Paeroa Gold Extraction Company s works at Paeroa. The carters were unloading the railway trucks when a number of Waihi strikers instructed them to stop delivering the coal, with tho alternative that tho men employed at the Extraction Company's works would be called out on strike. Mr. Dean (tho contractor) has taken no notice of the appeal, and coal is still being removed. Aitken (manager of the Pa?-roa-Waim Extraction Company's works) informed.the "Star's" correspondent that he has received numerous applications for work from workers from Waihi, all the applicants being non-unionists. ENGINE-DRIVERS. Waihi, Mav 18. In reference to a Press Association message to the effect that tho Minister for Labour has stated that he was in communication with the Engine-drivers' Union, the "Daily Telegraph" representative interviewed the secretary lit 10.30 this morning, and was informal that no communication of any sort had ' been received by the union from tho Minister. WATER IN THE MINE. (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) I Auckland, May 19. i Many shareholders in the Wailri mino . are no doubt anxious as to whether nl- ! lowing tho v:ater to rise will cause much damage to the workings. It is stated, ' however, that it will take some months , before, tho water can be high enough in i the mino to cause serious damage. When i tlie present trouble is arranged, and the ,

men aro ready to resume operations, (here i will of course bo the delay inseparable from raising the water that lias aecuimi- ! lated during tho time Hint the pumps have been idle, because once the lifting , is resumed the ordinary inflow has to be considered as well ns (he quantity that has gathered while operations wero suspended. 1 MEDIATION? f A report obtained currency at the end l of last week that the Government had been asked to intervene at Waihi, and v that the leaders of the Miners' T T nion, J which is out on strike, had commnni- I cated with tho Minister for Labour (tho f Hon. G. Laurenson). J

Mr. Laurenson stated, on being applied |to yesterday, that he had received i>o communications from the strikers. Ho

added that the president of the Waihi Miners' Union (Mr. Parry) had arrived in Wellington on Saturday night, and wanted to see him ou Monday. To a question as to whether anyone' had asked him to mediate, Mr. Laurenson replied in the negative. TTo mentioned that a formal communication had bren received by the Labour Department I'rr.m the Waihi Engine-drivers' I'liion when the strike cannionceH.