DISTRESSED WAIHI.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1465, 13 June 1912, Page 5

DISTRESSED WAIHI.

« FIRST STRIKE PAY. MENJS MEETINGS IN CAMERA. PICKETS WATCH PRESS. CBr Telecraob.—Press Association.} Waihi, .Tune 12. The town still maintains a quiet appearance. The forthcoming conference is not looked forward to with any great degree of hope as to a settlement, as the latter seems impossible, in face of the fact that the mine-owners absolutely refuse to discuss the differences between tho two unions. It is understood that the first general strike pay was made yester--1 day. A mass meeting of single men was held this morning under the auspices of the Waihi lliue Workers' Union. The chairman, in explaining the business of the meeting, said that it had been convened with a view to inducing more single men to take an active part in the strike. He pointed out i»'this connection that there were only two, single men on the cominit- ■ to€, 'or 011 sub-committees, at present. The meeting, he said, had also been called for the purpose of confirming tho Strike Committee's recommendation re strike pay. The recommendation was that single men should receive 15s. per week; married men with two (or less) children, 205.; married men, with three children, 255.; married men, four or more children, 80s. The union had decided to purchase , stores and sell these to strikers at cost price. The chairman advised single men who could not make arrangements to board at the rate of 15s. a week to club together and "batch." It was resolved: "That single men accept 15s. per week strike pay until further notice." Nothing was dedded regarding the committee's desire as to single men taking a more active part in connection with the strike. The meeting, as usual, was- held, in camera. Pickets seemed to be well in evidence—no doubt with a new to locating the origin of press reports. LABOURERS' LEVY. Christchurch, June 12. At a meeting of the Canterbury Labourers' Union' held last night Mr. E. Howard gave a full account of the cause of the present trouble at Waihi and Reefton, and the following resolution was adopted: "That a voluntary levy of 10 per cent, on members' earnings be struck, the funds so ■ raised to be forwarded to the Federation of Labour, which funds are to bo earmarked to assist the wives and children of the miners who are out of work at Waihi ■-nd ,R«efton." . PECULIAR POSITION. (By Telegraph,—Press Association.) T : . , Thames, June 12. In-*' connection Waihi miners' [jtnke a meeting of the executive of the Thames Miners' Union is being held to' consider an application from the Karangahake branch to vote a sum towards the. Assistance of the strikers. Tho position is a somewhat peculiar one. The Thames Jtiners' Union is registered under the Arbitration Act, and has just entered into an agreement drawn up in' friendly conference with the mining companies. The Karangahake branch of the union is in sympathy with the strike, while a majority of the Thames miners are opposed to it. Karangahake is in favour of joining the .Federation of Labour, but the Thames men are opposed to this. At the meeting it was pointed out that thero was doubt as to whether the Thames Union—being registered under the Act—could either abet a strike or assist tho strikers. Some disenssion ensued on the point, and eventually it was decided to take legal opinion, and the union's solicitor is now in conference with the executive. Tlic meeting not open to the press. REEFTON IMPASSE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Reefton, Juno 12. The Chamber of Commerce last night strongly endorsed tho suggestion that the Hon. J. Colvin should intervene in the Eeefton dispute, and assured him of its confidence. The Miners' Union are holding an important business meeting on Thursday night. Every day sees the ranks of tho men employed in town thinning. Most of the single men have obtained jobs elsewhere and comparatively few aro hanging about. The feeling against the ' Arbitration Court is getting very bitter. Greymouth, Juno 12. The Greymouth Waterside Workers decided not to make a levy to assist the Waihi and Reefton miners, tho reason assigned being that they were under the Arbitration Court.