THE MOST CRITICAL STAGE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1543, 12 September 1912, Page 5

THE MOST CRITICAL STAGE.

—i —« WAIHI STRIKECASES BEFORE THE COURT* A FINAL WARNING. LAW AND ORDER TO HE MAINTAINED. (Vj TcleEraph.-Presi! Association.) Waihi, September 11, An cxlrtiorilinary amount . of interest is being taken iu the police easo against the strikers to-day. Those charged include Win. E. I'arrj', president of the MineiV Union, nnd W. M'Leniinn, vicepresident.' Nearly a thousand people gathered in the, vicinity of the Court-' house. Mr. Solwyn Mays, Crown Prosecutor, is appearing for the police, and Sir. Clcudon for defendants. The first case, involving eighteen strikers, was that of following and jost-. ling Benjamin Shcard (president of'the Engine-drivers' Union), and an application was mado for sureties for good behaviour. Tho police gave evidence that (lie driver was followed' by a crowd numbering about 200, and was frequently jostled. Tho man was terrified, nnd Bought police protection. Eventually the driver took refuge at the residence of a doctor. All those charged with following him about pleaded not guilty. ' Mr. Mays stated that the police had proceeded against only those persom 'whoso identity they were' certain of.' Shcnrd was an old man, and hncT been frightened very much ', by tho crowd, which grew till at last it was 200 or 300 strong. Evidence was given to this effect by tho police, and in lengthy cross-examina-tion, Mr. Clendon (for tho defence) elicited that tho constables would noi swear to any individual instance, of jostling, but the police steadily maintained that the following was of a particularly annoying character, and likely to cause a riot at any. moment. Counsel for defendants contended that no breach of tho pcaco had occurred, and that, with tho exception of two men, Zenovelch and Kemp, who it was alleged had behaved threateningly, Iko strikers were quiet and ordorly; also that defendants were not; more prominent in the affair than the' general crowd. Tho magistrate said tho question wast What; was tho object of the following-up practices? Counsel said that he supposed this was to show that these men are marked men. Iu most cases this attitudo was adopted in conciliation in order to convert them to their side. The magistrate said: "Is that tho way to conoilialo a man; to follow li'm up,' call'him n scab, and threaten to sir ask him up?" Proceeding, he said that it seemed marvellous to him how men who were subjected to such treatment had kept self-oontrol. The further hearing was adjourned till tho inirning. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT. PROTECTION FOR EVERY MAN WHO WISHES TO WORK. (From Oar Special Correspondent.) Auckland, Sop'tnibc-r 11. During the present proceeding* in con« section with tho ulriko rrosuiitions, an announcement having a most important bearing on tho Waihi situation vns made by Mr. Sehvyn Mays, counsel for tho proeccution. lie explained that in tho majority of the cases the |.rcsent pro-, ceedings hovo been "f a preventive, mid not of a punitive, character. Application's, for sureties of the peace constitute the' mildest form of dealing with the present, situation, and proceedings in this form have lieen-taken by tho Government for two reasons:— Firstly, that up to the present juncture the strikers have behaved well. Secondly, that it was desired to give, all persons concerned a warning absolutely and unmistakably final. .., . ...... Mr. Mays said also:—"I am instructed' by the Commissioner of Polico to say that authoritatively." Mr. Stays says:.lt is obvious that the most critical singe of the jStriko has been reached, and it is now to bo clearly understood that the police will remain in Waihi till tho strike is over. Not only that, but also that thero is a very large • number of polico at instant call, and if necessary they will bo brought to Waihi. Tho police will protect every man who • wishes to work, whatever his calling, and whether he, bo Eederationist or Arbilrabionist, or Nrhatover his views. One. thing is certain—that tho Government' was determined'to maintain, law and order. Tho strikers nro warned that should they' ropeat tho tactics of tho last few days, proceedings of a far more drastic character will, ensue. They will bo charged indictably and imprisonment will probably follow conviction., Let it be remembered from now onwards (said Mr. Mays) that no man can complain that ho has not hacf fair warning.. , ■ . , .