STAGNANT WAIHI.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1447, 23 May 1912, Page 7

STAGNANT WAIHI.

MEN DEPARTING. THE THREAT TO STOP COAL. PRESENT STOCKS SMALLCLERUYMAN AND THE UNION (By TclecraEli.—Speoiai CorresDondcnt.) Auckland, liny 22, Pending tho decision of the Federation nt Labour's executive, it is not known whether the coal miners at lluntly will cease work, as they threatened to do, or not. Last week, it. will be remembered, tho ITiintl.v men intimated to tho Tnupiri Coal Company that no more coal was to bo sent to Waihi. The directors of the company replied that the request of tho miners could not bo complied with, and coal wonki go to Waihi as usual. Tho miners thereupon indicated that they would submit tho issue to the Federation, and bo guided by instructions. The executive is now silting in Wellington, and its decision should bo available at almost anv time.

The possibility of a coal strike nt tho present lime is of faa- more interest to housenoldcrs than almost anv other phase of tho existing industrial turmoil, tf tho lluntly men ceased work there would lx> an immediate cessation of supplies for none of the wholesale merchants are carrying big stocks, and ever since tho beginning of winter tho supply has hardly been equal to tho demand. In fact, for some weeks past an order for a ton of coal has not infrequently ftoduccd onlv a partial fulfilment, the merchants being compelled to intimate to customers that half a ton is about tho limit to which they cm comply with individual orders. A leading merchant, seen this morning, said that the cessation of work at Hnnily would mean an immediate stoppage of retail supplies. The householder would bo the person most severely affected. Tho Railway Department, Ferry Company, factories, and other institutions using largo supplies of coal have been building up considerable reserves in view of the disturbed.state of tho' labour market, and would not bo likely to feel any inconvenience for some time, but householders arc already on short supplies, and with no reserve stocks to fall back upon, would bo the first to feel the pinch. The sime merchant pointed out that, with the waterside workers in the same federation as the coal miners, there would be no use in looking to for relief, ' PAEROA TROUBLE, • (By Telegraph-Press Association.) Auckland, May 22. The "Herald's" correspondent at I'acron, telegraphs as follows:—There nro no further developments in connection with tho strike of somo twenty of the employees' at tho Waihi-l'aeroa Gold Extraction Company's works at Paeroa. So far tho vacancies have . not been filled, but plenty of non-unionist labour is offering, and there will be no difficulty in replacing those who have gone out. Crushing at tho works is still suspended, but certain routine work is being carried on. Tho dredges on the river arc working, and the big hopper is being filled with sand ready for treatment. When the hopper is full the company may make a start at crushing again.' Mr. Kingswcll. the managing director of tho company, is at present at Paeroa. • So far, there has not been any attempt to interfere with tho men who have remained working at tho mill. Notices were posted along tho road to tho works to tho effect that the men had been called out, but some defiant persons showed their contempt, for these notices by putting a match to them.

Some at least of the men who wore called out did not appreciate the idea of an indefinite period of idleness. Several, of them had-becomo members of .the union only a few days previously. One unionist became quite incensed at the idea, of a long holiday, but it was no use—bo had to come out with tho rest. Another man who had paid Imlf-a-crowu a few days previously to become a member of tho union is reported to have offered half a. sovereign to be released from his obligations, but he was bound by his half-crown and his signature, ond he had to come out.

Tho only difficulty that is anticipated at tho Extraction Company's works is a possiblo shortage of coal iii tho event of the coal miners refusing to pass more coal for Patron, but ,as the company has sufficient coal on. hand to Inst for three or four months, the trouble is ©no that is not likely to aviso for somo time to conic, EXODUS STARTING, It is apparent that au exodus is commencing now that the principal pay-day has passed. An increased number of out-word-bound passengers was in evidence at tho railway station yesterday morning, accompanied by a various assortment of baggage, showing that the departures could not be associated with auythiug in tho nature of a brief holiday trip. A local coal dealer stated that the coal dealers had bad a meeting and resolved not to have anything to do with Hie Strike Committee of the Miners' Union in regard to obtaining consignments ot coal, and that if they could not obtain supplies without having to go through certain formalities with the committee then they would do without it altogether.

In regard .to the railway station incident, he said that pickets' of the union who had been watching the station approached another dealer who was about to cart his own coal and requested him before doing so to obtain from tho Strike Committee a list of those persons to whom ho was not to supply coal. This ho declined to do, stating that he had paid for tho coal and intended supplying his own customers. Tho stationimister informed the pickets that they would not be permitted to interfere with any pcison in the precincts of the railway station, In connection with a mass demonstration this afternoon tho local schools, under instructions from the chairman of tho committee, will close curly. CLERGYMAN'S POSITION, HE EXPLAINS TO THE UNION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.! Waihi, May 22. The amount subscribed and promised towards the fighting fund for assisting the Engine-drivers' and Winders' Union at Wnihi in their elTorts to uphold tho conditions of the Arbitration Act has now reached n total of nearly ,£2,50. A first instalment, amounting tin ,£4O, was forwarded to the. Veil. Archdeacon Brodie on Friday last. It was considered that ho is the fit and proper person (o undertake tho duty of" distributing 1 tho money to members of the union, as he takes a special interest in the welfare of this section of workers.

The following letter has been sent by Archdeacon Brodic to the secretary of the Miners' Union:—"ln reference to a paragraph appearing in yesterday's 'Herald,' I have been requested to make an explanation, and do so as the 'paragraph is likely to convey an erroneous impression as to my acting as agent for tlio 1 disbursement of 'the Drivers' Relief Fund. The first intimation received by me was an unsigned telegram, statins that the money was bcjng sent through use. As I had no previous eammunication ois the subject, I could only wnit further communication. This came on Monday in the shape of a batik draft for rC'fO. Immediately on its receipt I took steps to have other arrangements made, as I wished, during the present crisis, tii. maintain an attitude of impartial independence, and my acting as agent for one party to the dispute would be construed to mean the adoption of an attitude of partisanship. If it wore a question of general relief I would hot hesitate, as I had already advocated some, svsteni of relief, and stated that we should be prepared to assist all in distress irrespective of creed or party. The last words of the paragraph- are even, more misleading, and are as follow :— 'He takes a special interest in the welfare of this section of workers.' The natural inference is I took soms practical port in the formation of the Engine-drivers' Union, hi reply to this,' 1 can state that the union was formed without e.ven my knowledge of the fact,-and ilia', in con'-. vLM.-atiou with a member whom 1 mot prior to the strike, I gave it as my opinion that the movement on the part oi the new union was inopportune. As. to my espousing the cause of one section of jrerkerj tMj is aot boms out by. any

of my utterances whether prior or su%, sequent to the declaration of the strike.' I have always advocated measures for tho betterment of workers 'in* general, and to say that only a section »!' the workers hud my attention and sympathy would not bo in accord with truth, li; may be well to further explain rarne views expressed to a member of l lie Miners' Union bearing on the justice of tho strike. When asked my opinion as to the justice or otherwise of the actfcn of the Drivers' Union I stated thai-, from authorities I had read, it would, appear that, the mcmlwrs liad actr-I wittjin their rights as far as natural, Divine, and civil laws wwo concerned, and Uks decision seems to bo lwrne out by recognised writers on social and industrial problems and. principles of unionism. Kven -writers favouring one general union do not condemn the component, unions specialising in various branches of industry, yet all-aiming and acting in harmony for one grand object —the uplifting of the worker,' Then, when asked a. Question as to tho necessity of the strike, I had to answer that, as far as I could glean from- fh-o public statement?; made concerning tho causo of the strike, I would lmve to ray-that, if Iho matter had been submitted',to mo before tho strike, I would have deemed it my duty to use my influence to- avoid the strike. Now that a strike has been declared I have been anxious for a settlement, and all my efforts have been, directed to that end, so that, by calm consideration, apparently conflicting principles might be harmonised, and brighter hopes might lis entertained of the return of industrial pcaco to Waihi. It is only honest on my part to state what I have said in -private conversation so that members of the Miners' Union nifty understand thoroughly the position I have taken up, and be ijuitc satisfied that thft explanation given in reference to my attitude to the Engine-drivers' Union and the relief fund givos an exact statement of the case."

WARDEN'S COURT..WORK. Applications have been lodged in the local Warden's Court by the Waihi Company for six months' protection for all their claims and seventy subsidiary rights, including water races, .dams, special sites, etc. The applications have been set down for hearing .on June 11.The Grand Junction Company has also lodged similnr applicatjensvifor,,, claim* and twenty-five subsidiary rights. These will be heard on 2!) th inst. Applications will bo made for fourteen, days summary protection for tho drove claims and rights, so as to carry them on (ill tho time when the ordinary applications, which require sixteen days', notice, can be heard.

The Waihi Extended Company has also applied in the .same, way foT six months' protection for their two claims. Tho grounds given for- tho applications am that, owing io labour troubles in Waihi, the companies are not in a position to man the properties, and, in connection with the application for the protection of subsidiary rights, that they are not'in a position, to use such privileges.