THE DIFFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1475, 25 June 1912, Page 9

THE DIFFERENCE.

4 BETWEEN REEFTON AND VVAIHI STRIKES. "UNWARRANTED ACTION OF FEDERATION OF UDOLUi.'' There an apjieaniucc of some difference of opinion in labour circles on tlio action of the Federation cf Labour bracketing the Waihi with the Reelton mincro' strikes in making appeals for to workers' unions. A few days ago it was recorded that the Wellington branch of tlio ,Seamen's Union had "turned down" an appeal for assistance. Many Labour men profess to believe that the Rtcflon men have good and <=ufficicnt uasons for striking:, liut'thcy profess to have no sympathy with the men who went out rt Waihi. Solnething of the nature of ihe differences—real or pretended—that are apparently prevailing'can be gathered from the following telegrams:— From Air. J-'ayHii, secretary of the Reefton Miners' T"nion, to Mr. Young, secretar.v of the Wellington branch of the .Seamen's Union: Our fight should not he bvalieted with Waihi. We are locked out for noV complying with conditions foreign to our agreement. Human life is at stake with us; also the very existence of our union depends upon the result. Can your union assist Heeflon direct financially, through our own union?— Pagan, secretary,Rcefton. From Mr. l'oung to Mr. Fngan (in reply) : Entirely agree your comment tlint Rcefton men have substantial ease, but much regret unwarranted action Federation of Labour bracketing tyeir CP.S6 witb Waiiii to save their own i'acc, thus doing momentous injury to your men. Will have pleasure in placing Reefton men's ease before our i members' meeting Monday, and wiro result Tuesday. Seamen always will- ' ing help and co-operate with miners, but federation industrial policy tactics somewhat retard us in doing so. j BAKERS TURN WAIHI DOWN. On Saturday evening ihe Wellington Operative Baiters' Union,considered a request for assistance for the strikers at Waihi. I't was decided not to do anything in'the matter. At the same meeting the secretary was instructed to cablo £10 to the wives and children of the London dockers now on strike. ORGANISING WORK. ' (By Telegraph.—Press AEsoclatlon.l Auckland, June 21. Messrs. Parry and Fraser, members of the executive committee of the Federation 'of Labour, are at present in Auckland engaged in organising work in connection with the feneration. To-morrow night delegates will address a mass meetiiiq of general labourers and coal miners at Whangarei. Later they will address meetings at Hilnirangi, Limestone Island, and Kiripaka. Next Sunday evening the Auckland Socialist party will give over the Opera House for the holding of a mass meeting of unionists to consider the struggle upon which the Federation •of Labour is now engaged.