STRIKE SAGGING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1449, 25 May 1912, Page 5

STRIKE SAGGING.

WAIHI POSITION* EARLY COLLAPSE LIKELY, "TACTICAL BLUNDER." FEDERATION'S QUANDARY. On what has every eppeawmeo of being [good'authority, it is stated that the strike i of miners at Waihi will bo 'called off'' by tho Federation of Labour very shortly, probably on Monday. Information to this effect was obtained yesterday from sources independent of one another. Those who supplied new agreed in stating that the Federation Executive was not responsible for tho Waihi strike, and that it was to be attributed solely to tho leaders of the local union. The Federation Executive, it is eaid, holds the opinion that the registration of the Waihi Engine-drivers' Union under tho provisions of tho Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act was a legal impossibility, and that the strike was theretore absolutely unnecessary. Eeports aro current that abortive attempts had been made to get ttie waterside workers' unions and tho West Coast miners to strike in sympathy with llio miners «t Waihi. The informants, above quoted, discredited these reports, aud declared that, so far from attempting to "spread the strike," the executive of the Federation had concentrated its efforts on devising means of ending it without openly confessing that a grave tactical blunder had been made by the Waihi Union. Prominent members of tho Federation Executive have n> often appeared before the public as advocates of revolutionary socialism that it is a little difficult to conceive thorn playing tho part of pacifists. Yet it is stated, by persons who should know, that tho Federation leaders aye engrossed at Hie moment, not in Stirring up force against force, but in playing the part of a brake. The generally accepted explanation of this state of affairs is that crude doctrines of militant democracy have bred in many workers an unrest which makes the more impatient spirits nmonest them rather ungovernable. They have been told innumerable times that "workers' solidarity" will make them invincible, ami now they want to put tho matter to the test. The Federation leaders (so well-informed news goes) are adroit enough to realise that strife will fritter away. the. nowers of their organisation without inflicting serious damage on those with whom it may come into conflict and their whole desire at present is to "fro slow." All tho forejroing is now the view expressed by those who have more than a passing acquaintance with the Federation. A WARM APPEAL. MINISTER THINKS IT PitKMATURE. The chairman of the Waihi Hospital and Charitable Aid Board (Mr. Donaldson) waited yesterday upon the Minister for Interna! Affairs (the Hon. Q. W. Bus. sell), and represented that it was anticipated that at the end of the current month tho board would require an overdraft of ,£367 in consequence cf tho minors' strike at Waihi. Mr. Donaldson asked that the Government should assist the board to meet the special demands expected. Tho Minister declined to entertain tho application. He pointed out that the borough of Wailn had received n very large revenue from gold duty during the hist financial yfcav, amounting to upwards of ,£16,000. There was no need whatever, Mr. Bussell declared, for an application being made to the Government at (ho present' merely because--of a-iEtriko which had lasted for ■ a fortnight. The Government had no intention of altering its financial policy in order to meet temporary difficulties of this kind. Tho same argument as hail boon advanced on behalf of the Waihi Board might as justly be employed where the flax or butter intlustry, or any other staple industry, was concerned, li' fcho strike at Wuihi continued for any length of lime, the Minister stated in conclusion, and it was found impossible to rate the district sufficiently, tho matter would be considered iu due course. WATERSIOERS MEET. BUT DO NOTHING. Auckland, May 24. The Auckland Waterside Workers did not commence work as usual at 8 o'clock this morning, but adjourned to their room in tho Harbour Board's building, where a meeting was held to discuss the union's position in connection with the Waihi strike. Considerable excitement prevailed about the wharves during the two hours for which tho meeting lasted, and, by 9 a.m. a largo crowd had gathered at tho foot of the stairway leading to the room where the meeting was in progress, and from whence, at intervals, sounds of excised conversation, cheering, and hooting coiild bo heard. Shortly after ten o'clock the meeting broke up, and the men went aboard the vessels on which they were employed, and, without comment, commenced work. A reporter, who spoke to several mem- I fecrs who were present at the meeting., "athcred that the questions at issue were ovhat levy should be- made on the union for the assistance of members of the federation who were out of work as the result of the Waihi strike, and whether, in the event of it being decided to strike, work should be discontinued at once, or the matter should bo left in the hands of the president of the union (Mr. a. Canham), who is at present a delegate to the Federation of Labour conference in el'it is understood that, after considerable discussion, it was decided by a majority of 85 votes to-leave the matter entirely in the hands of Mr. Canham. In connection with the levy, it is stated that each member of the union is to contribute the sum of 2s. 6d. weekly. _ _ The various shipping companies recoivcd no intimation from tho Waterside Workers' Union that it was not intended to commence work this morning, and, accordingly, made arrangements with their j employees and business firms aboiu the j citv to receive and ship cargo from 8 a.m. as usual. When seen by a reporter, the manager of the local shipping conlnanv said that, to say the least, the union had' treated the companies most discourteously in not informing them that work was not to be commenced. The delay had caused general inconvenience, sno™ of tho results would be that vessels that were to have sailed to-fay would now not be able to get away till to-morrow. Until tho meeting hud terminated it was tiot known for how long the members of the union intended to refrain from working, so that shipping companies were not in a position to accent consignments of cargo, or to promi.se delivery of worts. A number of firms, which were urgently in need of cargo aboard steamers, offered to take men down and unKid it, but tins, of course, could not bo done. Apavt from tho meeting of tho waterside- workers this morning, there has been no activity on the part of the other union!). Other federated unions ins'Tiicted their delegates, before they left for tho conference in Wcllmsrton, that they were to use their own judgment ns to whether they voted on f-he question of tbo"ntlitu»ln"h> be adopted in connection with the Waihi strike. Any decision to declare a general strike, or a strike affecting certain of the unions connected with tho Federation of Labour, must come from the conference. It is understood that tho conference lias routine work which will occupy its attention for some time, and no instructions roiatiro to the strike are expected to be sent out to-day. WHY THEY MET, (By Telezroph—Pross Association.! Auckland, May 24. In reference to tho meeting of waterside workers hrf>ld this morning, which caused delay to shipping, the secretary of the union (Mr. Collett) was seen by a "Herald" reporter to-night, aud gave a denial (n titittmionts published concerning it. lie said the union received a telegram from Mr. Ca-nhain, who is its representative at the ceufcrenc!! of the Federation of LRbonr, now sitting at Wellington. This Megram had reference, to th© »trike at Wailii, but no-no, to anj fietioa, bj the

waterside workers. A special meeting v-iis called for 5 p.m. on Thursday, but tba number who attended was not' represent:!tiro, and tho meeting was adjourned til L 8 a.m. to-day. Steps w-ere taken to notify representatives of shipping companies, aud in explaining tho steps taken. Mr. Colletfc Biiid it would 1)0 seen that tho union had not acted without giving any notice, nor had it seriously delayed the business of the port Aa to tho business done at tho meeting, Mr. Collett eaid Uμ union was summoned rolely to consider Mr. Cauham's telegTam. There was absolutely no discussion of the- question of levy or of cessation of work. Tho union considered tho matter referred to bj Mr. Canham, and decided by a majority of pG votes (o instruct the delegate to act in accordance with his judgment. Inquiries among some members of the union resulted in the statement that the telegram from Mr. Canham was a request for instructions as to how ho should vote upon any proposal put before the conference to call a general strike of unions affiliated to the federation. TOWN QUIET. Waihi, May 24. Tho town is still msintainiv-E a pasico. ful aspect. Tho union is patiently, waiting news from the Wellington Conference as to the course it is deemed advisable to follow. Aii almost uncanny silence prevails over the mine and batteries, in striking contrast to the usual noisy mine,s and thundering stampers, all of which ore now resting, and the entire aspect of things spells idleness and inactivity. The sluicing out of the town's concrete channelling was done last night. Many odours have been isi evidence lately, the result of stagnant drain-age from boardinghouses, etc. Heretofore tho niino water was pumped up in a great volunio day and night, and poured continuously alonir tho various street channel ways. A mass meeting of the strikers will bo held to-morrow. It is reported that the Enuine-drivers , Union intends to appeal to the Arbitration Court in case registration is refused. i Contractors in connection- with the- pswt work of tho Junction mine get paid today. ATTITUDE OF TRAM MEN.. ..-. Auckland, May 24. Members of the Auckland Tramway* Union are very dciinite in their expressions of opinion regarding,the possibility that they may bo asked by tho Federation of Labour to cease work. They say that they do not want to participate in tnn strike, and nil of them seemed confident that, if such a proposal was submitted-to the- aynoi], it would be rejected bv ballot. Tho present temper of the men justifies •tho pi-csumption that an open vote on the question would not bo acceptable, and that they would demand a ballot. ARRANGEMENTS TO RECOMMENCE WORK. Auckland, May 21. Tho "Herald's" Pacroa correspondent telegraphs:—The Waihi-l'aeroa Gold Extraction Company has made nil arrangements to recommence work at its iniil nt l'aeroa. New men aro under engagement to take tile place of those who left work this week, and tho company ca'.i thus start crushing again as soon as it is ready. It was considered all along by most people that tho company's employees -at l'aeroa wore woi'kim: under conditions governing the member's of tho Thames Miners Union, seeing that the mines at Komata and Karaiigahakc aro working under an agreement with the -miners' unions at Thames. The position, so far as the work* at. Pacroa, arc concerned, lias now been settled bv tho Extraction 'Company becoming a party to the agreement mnile, and which will, by consent, Lβ. mad* an award of (he Arbitration Court. Pending , tho recommencement of crushing operations, tho employees of the Extraction Company, who did not go out on strike, aro being kept engaged dredging. InJess something unforeseen' happens, the, mill should be working as uhibi wm week.