THE STIR AT WAIHI.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1549, 19 September 1912, Page 5

THE STIR AT WAIHI.

» TRIALS GOING ON. EFFORT TO CREATE "HEROES." WITHDRAW POLICE? PRIME MINISTER SAYS " NO." (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Waihi, September 18. The proceedings by the police to have a number of strikers bound over to keep the peace were continued this afternoon before Mr. 1\ V. Eraser, S.M.

The cases opened with tho charge against C. Opie, who was alleged lo have been prominent in following up free labourers at Waikino on September 4. Opie pleaded not guilty, and conducted his own defence.

In addressing the Court, Opie contended that Sergt. Wohlmann (in alleging that bo was in the front row at a demonstration at Waikino on (he afternoon of September 2) had umiurstionably made a mistake. He went on to point out that the majority of the police called'for.the prosecution .had stated that they had not seen him, and their testimony had been supported by four free labourers.

John Law, battery band, who had been in defendant's company throughout the afternoon, stated that Opie was not in the front row, and had not been prominent in the demonstration. Opie had not followed the free labourers. Cross-examined: Opie had been on Dixon's track, and also near the font of Fraser's' track that afternoon, but was not following the men. ' Corroborative evidence was given by D. Conrick. This concluded • the defence, and his Worship, in dismissing the information against Opie. said that the ease for the prosecution was certainly not as strong as in tho charges against the three other* concerned. It was quite clear that Opie had been at Waikino, ami in the crowd, but it was not clear from the evidence that ho had followed, or that be bad been present in certain places in which it was said that he ha'd been seen. This being so he could not fay that the charge had' been proved. , r ., Informations against I. Putin, G. Midwinter, A. Hughes, C. O'Toole, A. Hislop, E Worth, P. Marks were then taken. Tliev were charged with following in order (o cause annoyance lo Engine-driver Haydon on September 5. C. Coghlon and Charles Harman were charged with liein" guilty of threatening behaviour toivards Haydon. Ilarmnn was not in attendance. The others pleaded not guilty. In opening for the prosecution, Mr. Mavs detailed the incident, stating that Havdon was followed by a large crowd., tlie accused being among the number. The driver was in considerable fear. On instruction from Constable Williamson the man walked twice round a certain block and the crowd followed all tho way, thus proving unmistakably that the lollowing was persistent and intentional. Constables Miles and Williamson gave particulars of the following. The latter stated that defendants were prominent in the procession. There bad been no attempt on the part of the followers to "convert" tho driver. It had been dumb following. The names of the men had been taken while tho demonstration was in progress. Haydon was excited and in n state of fear. Witness could hardly have credited that strikers would follow a man like Haydon who was lame and a weakling. ~, . Cross-examined by Mr. C. Smith, who (by consent of the magistrate) appeared for several defendants, Constable Williamson said that tho following was such as to cause annoyance, and intimidate Haydon who might readily have been provoked to create a breach of the peace. His (witness's) object in telling Haydon to follow a certain route was in order that he might satisfy himself *« to whether tho strikers were deliberately and intentipnnlly following him about. Francis Havdon, the driver followed, said that the following was organised, and some of those taking part pressed closely upon his heels. At one stage he bad seized bold of the two accused and had pushed them towards one of the constables. The attitude of the strikers had caused him annoyance, and he was actually in fear. Cross-examined: Witness was vsatisned that ho was being followed for a purpose. Ho was in fear, and believed that he would have suffered bodily injury had the crowd got him away by himself. Re-examined: He had not lost all fear, becauso be had heard that one of tho drivers (Shcard) had been, followed since the police proceedings had been instituted. To Mr. Smith: He would prefer to see moro police in Waihi to protect marked men. Ho could do. with three or four himself. Constable Blackeley corroborated previous witnesses and named some of the defendants as being among those who had followed Haydon. Thin concluded the evidence for the prosecution. POLICE QUITE PREPARED. (Bi TclcaraDh—SDccial Gorresnondent.) Auckland, September 18. The police force stationed at Waihi is prepared for any emergency that may arise in v : ew of the possible opening of the mine. Their number was further augmented to-day by a detachment consisting of-20 constables and a sergeiint, who will arrive from Wellington. This will raise the strength of the force lo nbont sixty. Although it is not in the least anticipated that any more police will be required, arbitrationists can be quite assured of perfect immunity from molestation, for a force of 10D more police could bo brought at ! a few hours' notice, if necessary. The number of arbitrationists now employed at Wnikino totals just on 70, FCvernl additional workers having been taken this morning. Aplications for employment are coining in freely, and all suitable men offering arc being engaged by the Wnihi Gold Mining Company. • CHEERING THE "HEROES." (Hy TclecruDh.-Prcss Association.) Auckland, September 18. Another'large crowd gathered on the wharf this afternoon to witness the arrival of' Parry, M'Lenmm, and Melrose. A thick rope was stretched across the wharf at both ends to keep back the crowd, which, every moment, was growing in dimensions. The police had taken precautions to ensure order, and a strong posse of constables look up a position iiisido the rope. A four-wheeler, instead of the prison van, was drawn up at the end of the wharf for the purpose of crnveying the prisoners to Ihe gaol. By three o'clock the crowd on Ihe wharf had totalled 3000.

As tho Wakatero came alongside, Mr. Canham. nn official of (ho Waterside Workers' Union, mounted on a high pile of' copra bags, informed Parry ' and his comrades: "We're all here to welcome you boys, and we've knocked off work for tho day." Ho then called for cheers for the working-class victims of tho big class struggle. The three prisoners were the first to leave the boat, and were at once nlnced in the waiting cab, one or two of the executive -baking hands with Parry and telling him to "cheer up." The police then mounted the vehicle and walked along on each side of it until the wharf was cleared. The crowd cheered loudly, and (here was a scene of considerable excitement and enthusiasm.

SERENADE THE GAOL? (Bj l'cleeraiili.—Prosn Association.) Auckland, September 18. Previous to the demonstration nn the Wnkatero's arrival. some 200 members of the Waterside Workers' Union hold a meeting and discussed the position. It was decided th.it, on Saturday morning next, at 10 o'rlock, work would be stopped on the wharves, and n mass meeting of members of the Federation of Labour should be held nl (he Grey slatue to protest against the imprisonment of the Waihi strikers and afterwards a procession would be funned to scrqnnde the gaol. It appears, however, that there is great dissension in the ranks of the union. It. was pointed mil to a "Herald" representative, to-day thai there were over 111)1 financial members, nnd.nol one-third i>f these were present at (he meeting when I his decision was come to. The "moderate" section in the union now demands that a. ballot shall be taken" on the auesi

tion of ceasing l work on Saturday morning. UNION JACK TORN UP. IBj TdegrsDli.-PMis Asioclatlou.) Waihi, September 18. Affairs at Karangahako arc quiet this morning. Jt was reported Unit owing to a number of miners of (lie Talisman'and Crown mines taking a whole day .yesterday to attend a meeting without asking permission, (he- managers had refused, in consequence of the men's action," lo take them back. However, they all resumed work this morning.

Alleged,injustice and unjust laws were freely discussed by the strikers (his morning. As an illustration of their feelings the Union Jack was taken out from the precincts of tho Union Hall and lorn to shreds in the main street opposite the. building. WATERSIDE RESOLUTION,

Timaru, September 18. The waterside workers held a meeting to discuss the position at Waihi. Kesolotions were unanimously passed authorising the dispatch' of the following telegrams:—

To the Prime Minister:—"Timaru Waterside Workers' Union strongly protests against imprisonment of men at Waihi and agairtst action of Government in sending extra police lo Waihi, which has been the cause of the trouble by inciting men who were otherwise orderly."

To Federation of Labour, Wellington (with which Hie Timaru Union is affiliated) :—"Timaru Union will faithfully adhere to any action deemed necessary by Federation re imprisonment of men at Waihi." v Dunedin, September 18., A ballot by Dunedin waterside workers in favour of secession from the Federation of Labour was carried by n large majority, but a fresh ballot is necessary, consequent on objection being raised by some members that the ballot papers as worded were misleading. Christchurch, September 18. At a meeting of the Lytloltou Waterside Workers' Union, which is affiliated to tho Federation of Labour, it was unanimously resolved-.—"That this meeting protests against the action of the Government in sending bodies of police to Waihi and Waikino, with, wo believe, (he object of harassing peaceful citizens. Further, this meeting protests against tho action of gaoling men, as we arc of opinion that tho sentences are extremely unjust."

After further discussion the following motion was also carried:—"That this union will abide by any decision arrived at by the Federation of Labour in connection with the strike."

The Canterbury General Labourers' Union has agreed to a motion or protest much on lines ns above. It was also resolved: "(1) That this union places power in the hands of the executive to send men to Waihi to take the place of prominent strikers who have been gaoled, should the Waihi Union need assistance. (2) This union sends its hearty sympathy and appreciation to Waihi strikers, who have been gaoled for peacefully picketing. Tho law of this country evidently is being prostituted to enable the mine-owners to beat the men."

MR. SEMPUE HERE. NO ENTHUSIASM IN P.O. SQUARE. Two or three hundred people, mostly waterside workers seeking diversion during lunch-hour, gathered in the Post Office Square yesterday at noon to listen to tho strenuous oratory of Mr. Piobcrt Semple (organiser for the Federation of Labour), who discoursed vigorously on the situation at Waihi.

In his opinion the strikers who had l>een brought by the police before a "classbiased" magistrate had done the right tiling in going to gaol in preference to being\gagged. He described the police as "a necessary evil under capitalism," and "paid hirelings of the capitalistic class," whom the miners had called in to do their "dirty work." It had been noticed by the nicn that the mine-owners, by putting in heavy timbers,.were preparing for a struggle" with the miners. They knew that tho owners wanted to introduce tho singlehanded popper.and the competitive contract system, but they "had caught the owners on the hop" by strikinc before the preparations were complete. The speaker made the sauio old attack on what he was pleased lo call the "capitalistic press, and made very uncomplimentary remarks about the United Labour party, which remnrks were received with more smile."? than cheers. Mr. Scrapie's "oratory" fell rather flat, and his promiso of a surprise for New Zealand did not fire the crowd with enthusiasm. At the conclusion of Mr. Remple's harangue. Mr. Howard, of Christ-church, invited the crowd, per resolution, to deplore the imprisonment of Waihi strikers, and io call on the Government to immediately and unconditionally release them. There' was no great difference between the "Ayes" and "Noes" which responded, and tho" motion was declared carried.