WAIHI.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1560, 2 October 1912, Page 7

WAIHI.

RESTARTING OF WORK TO-DAY, STRIKERS' PLANS. ELABORATE PICKET SYSTEM. (By Telegraph.-PrcEs Association.) Waihl, October 1. At a mass meeting of strikers this after, noon, the chairman announced that the business wee to appoint pickets in connection v.-ith the resumption of work at Waihi, and also to hear a message by Mr. Fraser, a member of the executive of the Icderation of Labour. This message was addressed to the men. Mr. Fraser said that the Federation ap. proved of everything that the Waihi men hod done, including the decision of those who had gone to gaol, and that the Federation were satisfied that the mineowners were bcaton but would not give in. Even if the mineowners admitted defeat, the men uow in gaol would have to be released before the strike would be "off." The companies were getting outsiders in for tho purpose of decoying the local men to return to work. Iα liis opinion the 500 strikers would go to gaol rather thau return to work under the existing conditions. He criticised tho police "blue coats," and added that every member of the executive was prepared to go to gaol if necessary. An elaborate system of picketing for to-morrow was then arranged, men being appointed to occupy various points in the vicinity of tho Waihi mine. Tho chairman instructed the men not to use violence, but tactics such as calling men "scabs," etc., was to be indulged in as much as they liked. He said, that the police were only waiting tho chance of a riot to justify their coming to Waihi. H< ■ asserted that only . übout .three Wai hi Union men were goinj back to work. ■ Included in the programme for to-mor row, tho women wore to have the life o: a hall, and were also to have, a roving commission. POLICE REINFORCED. Strik* , affairs are rjuiet Iwp KHnr. TM new union office ie being picketed bj strikers. A conspicuous lenturc is tue (lying of a Union .Tack over the building. • . Mr. J. Cullen, Commissioner of Police, arrived here, to-day. Twenty more policearrived last ni»ht, and a few more are expected to-night. ' A mass n)DMii\g of strikers is being held this afternoon. It is reported that a ballot will be taken on the question of resuming work, bill tho report, is not authenticated. The Waihi Grand Junction Gold Mining Company has intimated that work for miners ann ■others is now available at the mine, ant' Hint applications personally or by lcttei will be received. GOLD OUTPUT. Auckland, October I. Owing to the Waihi strike the gold turns for September in tho Auckland dis-" " trict only amounted to .£29,778 65., as compared with .£93,250 12s. 10d. for September of last .year—a decrease of JE63.472 Gs. 10d. The amount for the eight months of the present year is 415,333,349 12s. Gd., this being a decrease of .£243,856 7s. 9d., as compared with the same period last year. RAILWAY COAL. Dunedin, October I. Tho local railway officials have received instructions to lay in immediately aa large supplies of coal as possiblo in view of any emergency ■, arising through tlw coal mines closing: down, if si general etrike is ordered. . , LOCAL SYMPATHY A meeting of the Wellington branch of tho .Waterside Workers , Union was held yesterday, when it is understood that sympathetic yotcs'were passed in referent* to tao Waihi strike. At the monthly meeting of tho Thorndon branch of tho Amalgamated ■ Society of Railway Servants tho lollowiug resolution was carried:—"That this meeting protests against tho imprisonment of the men at Waihi. We are also of tho opinion that they aro to bo commended for the stand they have taken in upholding their principles." ■