GAOLED WAIHI MEN.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1552, 23 September 1912, Page 6

GAOLED WAIHI MEN.

CHEERING THEM UP. FEDERATION'S PROCESSION. (Uγ Teleiraph.—Pren Association.) Auckland, September 22. Last evening a crowd of somo 5000 gathered at the Grey Statue where- several hundred members of the Federation of Labour were addressed by tbren or four of their leaders, including Mr. Semple. Tho speakers impressed upon the men that they must keep within the bounds of law and order and not do anything which could lead tho authorities to tako action against or to cause the public to loso sympathy with their movements. The leaders then formed tho men into a procession and, led by a lorry and with much cheering, the crowd proceeded to the Mount Eden Gaol. A heavy shower of rain presently thinned the. crowd down to about 2000, and these gathered at the gaol gates, and were again addressed by (he Federation lenders. Tho large majority of tho two thousand people consisted of spectators, many of whom were residents of the locality. The proceedings were very orderly, and a resolution was passed which rend: "That this mass meeting of workers enters its emphatic protest against tho imprisonment, of the Wnihi strikers, and if necessary, will cease work until they are released, and further that the time is ripe for such action." After a great deal of cheering and booing the crowd quietly dispersed. This afternoon another demonstration in protest was held at.the Grey Statue. It is estimated that about twelve thousand were present, most of whom, however were merely curious spectators. Speeches werp given by Mr. Semplo and others, the proceedings being orderly'. A resolution was carried demanding the release of tho strikers and judging those voting to act in whatever way might be necessary to bring their release about. An amendment, calling on the watersiders to "go out" on Monday morning was not carried. As for as could be seen only thoso in close proximity to the statue voted on the motion and amendment. A meeting of protest will be held by workers in tho Opera House to-night. POLICE STRATEGY. (By Telecraph-Prese Association.) Auckland, September 21. The twenty-nino strikers who declined to be bound over'to keep tho peace at Waihi were conveyed by train to Newmarket, in a special enrriage. At Newmarket the carriage was unhitched and attached to an engine and run along the Mount Edou railway line, which passes in front of the gaol, where it stopped. The prisoners were quietly transferred to their quarters with the strikers already in the institution. There were only one or. two spectators and no demonstration whatever.. COURT COSTS AND FEES. Waihi, September 21. Expenses in connection with the strike prosecutions were: Court costs. .£2O 9s.j recognisances, .£l2 155.; solicitors' fees, .£4B Cs.; witnesses' expenses, ,£SB; total, 10s.

TIMARU MEETING. Timaru, September 22. From three to four hundred people attended an open-air meeting this afternoon at which two waterside workers spoke on the aims of the Federation of Labour and the causes of the Waihi strike from a. Federation viewpoint. A protest against tho gaoling and a demand for tho release of the prisoners was put and.carried, about n hundred voting for it and very few against. An amendment declining to express an opinion was not seconded.