AFFAIRS AT WAIHI.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1570, 14 October 1912, Page 5

AFFAIRS AT WAIHI.

SOME WILD SCENES.

OLj/TSIDE OFFICIAL'S HOUSE/

THE WATERSIDERS.

SHARP SPLIT IN LOCAL CAMP,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Waihi, October 15. The alleged disgraceful conduct of a number of women and children at tho residence of Mr, N. M'Williams, a Court official, hns had a serious cffect on the resident referred to. Mr. il'Williams, who has been suffering from influenza, has now had a serious relapso a result of tho scenes which occurred around hie housp, and the result also of disgusting language used to iris wife. The.other day a large crowd engaged in screeching, intermingled with expression of unprintable invectiv-es. One woman threatened to burn down tho house. Tho effect upon Mr. M'Williiuns is such os necessitates the calling in of a doctor. Tho doctor appealed, to tho 11111011, which said that it would do what it could to suppress the annoyance, but they had very little control over the women. Mr. M'Williams had to arm himself for the protection of his wife and children and property. Two constables are now in attendance at night. No reason is assigned for the riotous behaviour. _ Mrs. M'Williams is a leading vocalist in tho town, and 011 many occasions has rendered valuable sorvico in organising concerts in aid of the miners' benevolent fund, and individual miners who had met with inisliaps, It is urged that as the police is insufficiently strong in number to cope with tho conduct of the women, a .citizens' force should be enrolled. • THREE SHIFTS TO START. Waihi, October 12. The superintendent of tho Waihi Company, in contradicting tho statement by Mr. Fraser, that only CO tons of ore was erushod last Wednesday—as a matter of fact, it was 260 -tons—added that tliev arc now crushing over 300 tons a day. I'hree shifts will be put on next week, when the tonnage per day will be increased to 400 tons. HUNTLY POSITION. Auckland, October 12. The directors of (he Taupiri Coal Company to-day arrived at a definite course of action in regard to tho Huntly miners absenting themselves from work on Thursday last, but as tho company is a member of the Coal Mine Owners' Association, the matter has been referred to tho association for approval. Tho mines will not be open for work on Monday, by which time a .reply will be received from 1 the association. Huntly is reported to be very quiet. The decision of tho Taupiri Company is being anxiously awaited. . . LYTTEUON HOLIDAY. ■ (By Teleeraph.—Prese Association.! Christchurch, October 13. The Lyttelton waterside workers' demonstration against tho imprisonment of tho Waihi miners was carried out this morning in threatening weather. Although tho membership of the union comprises nearly 350, the number that took part in tJjio procession did not exceed 150, und a number of theso were recruits from Christchurch. A procession was formed up outside tho Coronation Hall shortly niter 9.30 a.m., and, conspicuous in if, was a display of red jbadges, while tlireo large pictorial banners also figured. Tho proceedings en route were very quiet, and little interest • was taken by residents. When the gaol grounds had been encircled, a holt was made in front of the main entrance. The men formed a' ring, and speeches denouncing tho imprisonment of the Waihi men were delivered.

With tlio exception of the Union Company's Mouowai and Kittawa, and tho casL'-oil steamer Wimbledon, work proceeded as usual along tlio water-front. The local agents of the chartered steamer Kaipara had ordered men for eight o'clock, but tliey failed to put in an appearance, ■ Tho company, however, had no difficulty in fulfilling requirements. The sailors and firemen turned out, and discharge operations wero carricd out. as usual. Tho Shiiw, S-avill and Albion Company's steamer Arawa was in a like position, but tho permanent hands took cliargo of the winches, and tho cargo was unloaded with dispatch. No labour was available for coaling the Harbour Board's dredge Canterbury, but the dredgo hand--filled tho breach, and work was completed without any hitch. Tho Union Company's permanent staff worked tho mails, luggage, and cargo on board tho Maori, and littlo inconvenience was felt. A procession was afterwards held in Christchurch, and speeches wero given in Latimer Square and Victoria Square. TIMARU DEMONSTRATION. Timaru, October 12. About 40 watersidcrs walked in procession, with many hundreds looking'on and following, to a suitable stand for speeches. Two loading membors of tho watersiders spoke for some time, condemning the' Government and the press, tho formor for imprisoning tlio Waihi men, and tlio latter for fighting against tlio Federation. Other workers, who had refused to take part in the demonstration, were taken to task, and tliis brought 011 a lively discussion. A resolution was put mid declared carried and a potition was signed demanding tho release of. the Waihi men. No work was interfered with as there was no vessel in port. FEDERATION RALLY. Westport, October 12. A mass meeting of miners, watersiders, and others was held in Victoria Square this afternoon, and addresses were doliveretl by Messrs. Dowgrny (Millorlon), Richards (Waihi), Fngnn (Eeefton), and Semple and others relative to tlio ruining disputes at Waihi and Reofton. Resolutions were carried protesting against the action of tlie Government, which was alleged to be assisting tho mino-owncrs in their fight against the miners, ami also against tho gaoling of tlie Wailu strikers. The meeting was of a very orderly character. AID TO HOSPITAL. CABINET GRANT OF .£IOOO. Owing to tlio closing down of tho mines and the consequent falhne-oif-in

the revenue from the output of sold, tlio Waihi Hospital authorities liavo found themselves in very serious financial difficulties, and liavo been compelled to apply to the Government for assistance. A few- weeks ago an advance of .€250 was made against tho ordinary subsidy .but this Ims been exhausted, and in audition the Hospital Board has an overdraft of £500 at the bank. Cabinet oil Saturday agreed to a straight-out ndvanco of .£IOOO to keep the institution running.

UPROAR

WELLINGTON WATERSIDERS MEET

SOME BLOWS STRUCK.

SET-BACK FOR FEDERATION.

HOLIDAY BALLOT.

For some considerable time before the appointed hour on Saturday afternoon members of tho Wellington Watorsldo Workers' Union were wen making their way to tho waiting-room on Waterloo Quay. From appearances and remarks which wero heard li.v passers-by, the wholo topic of conversation seemed to be tho "holiday" question. Soino were discuss■inir it earnestly and some in [ißhjer vein. At 3 p.m. the room was well filled, and tlierc was iv babel of sounds Hooting on tlio air. Kvelyoao was talking and excitement appeared to run high. At tho hour mentioned a Dominion representative made his appearance at (lie open doors, and after having surveyed the scene for a few moments lie 1 was approached by Sir. G. Ci. Farland, secretary of tho union, who said: "Have von got any business here:" Yes, Sir. Farland, was tho reply, I am a press reporter.

here at alii .We don't want youl" wn« tho angror. Can I after, tho meeting? wa« a6ked.

"No. Get away e.B for ns you can from this building. I don't wajut to talk (o Sou, and don't wait to liavo anything to o with, youl So got 1" VVith. those fow kindly jrordfl the roJwrtor walkod out. Waving tho Red, White, and Blue. On reaching th,o outer world he, how ever, met ono or two wharf workers, who wore a little more bcnovolently disposed than their, secretary. "llullo," said ono genial persoa, "got put out, chP Well, never mind. See us after the show and wo will tell you what has happened." And they wero true to their word.

A. few minutes later tho numl>ers in tho already full room -wero swelled by o eouplo of hundred more watersiders, who woro allowed to leave work for half au hour to attend tho meeting. Earlior in tho day the Union Company had given permission for tho men who wero working on their vessels to lcavo off to attend. Among tho late-comers were ono or two

who went to tho meeting with tho strict intention of showing Ihcir feeling in regard to the Federation of Labour. One of these moil displayed a few yards, of red, white, and blue ribbon.

What aro you going to do with thatf ivns asked.

"Wo are going to fly theso oolours up at that meeting. Some of those Federal lienors think that they can run the whole show, and wo are just going to show them that they can't. When wo fly these colours there will be trouble. So come up and see the fun." Tho offer, however was not accepted. ' When tho meeting began in earnest there wero over 3000 men in tho room, and Mr. P. Curtis, president of the union, took tho chair. Tho crowd appeared to bo divided. into two sections. ■ Those up near tho platform seemed to favour the Federation, and wero more demonstrative and noisy than their brother workers at the back, The trouble mentioned bv the bearer of the red, whito and blue ribbon was not long in coiuiug. TII6 president rose and explained why tho meeting had been called, and. at tho suggestion of the executive of the Federation of Labour, endeavoured to move a resolution to tho effect that a "holiday" should bo taken by tho Wellington members of the Waterside Workers' Union next Saturday as a demonstration against tho gaoling of the Waihi law-breakers.'

Pandomonium and Blows. This was met by cheers from tho fronl section and hoots from tho back. Pandemonium reigned for a few minutes, and it was then that tho red, white, and blue ribbon was displayed. Almost at onco two men exchanged blows, and some of the inoro excited, ones also warmed up to it, and things bccame merry for a time.Presently, however, wiser counsel prevailed, and tile boxing display ceased. Onco again tho chairman endeavoured to speak, but again hoots, groans, and cheers broke forth. It appeared that i members were asked to signify their intention regarding tho motion by saying "aye" or "110." 'When it was put there ■was a chorus of "ayos" from one section: of the crowd, and a man at the back called out: What about tlio 'noes'r" Apparently, however, those who wero against tho motion wero not asked to vote at nil. Then someone 6aid: "Will you take an amendment?" but tho execu. tivo officials did not want any amendments, and again thero was uproar. •Eventually the more sober-minded part of the crowd succeeded in. bringing tilings to ail issue, aud it was eventually decided that n ballot bo taken 011 tho question of downing tools next Saturday. Tho' ballot will be held to-morrow and Wednesday, and tho result should bo known by Wednesday evening.

Some of the Men's Opinions. It was somewhat amusing to hear tho remarks of tho men as they came out of tho meeting-room and made their way to town, or along tho water-front. Remarks 6uch as these wero common; "Well, Bill, what did,you think of it?" ' "Not much, Jack. /Those men don't know how to oonduct a meeting." "Thev tried to g2t their own .crowd to caTry tlio Federation's proposal, didn't they?" ; "i'cs, but wo wero too good for them this time, Jack. They hadn't the Wednesday crowd to deal with this timo. had they?" "No. And what's more, they 11 see what tho crowd wants after the ballot. _ Look here, I nin suro that tho Federation 11 get blown out over this question, \oull ""Well, Jack, I think you'ro right, too." Some of the nioro jolly members looked at tho amusing side. "Hooray, hooray," called out ono man, when, ho heard some cheering inside tho building by tho section who liad remained behind to discuss things. "What ore you hooraying out? asked his mate. . , "I' don't know, chum. Thoso chaps up there didn't know why they werodiooravins at tho meeting, so I might as well join thom now I am outside. From inquiries mado amongst the waterside workers on Saturday afternoon, after the meeting, tho goncral impression gained was that tho voting to-morrow and Wednesday will bo against downing tools" next Saturday., It was also thought that Saturday's'decision to take a ( ballot and not act upon tlio Federation a sugeestion was n l>low to Mr. Scmplo and his followers. It is regarded as tlio boginning of the end 111 rcgaTd to tho Weifinaton waterside workers, connection with tho Federation of Labour. The majority of tho men aro not pleased with the methods adopted, and are not afraid to speak their minds about tho quest on of seceding from tlio 1 ederation. If tho ballot decides against a holiday, it is voir likely that tlio aiiti-l'cderationists will »airi tliis point also. 0 It is understood that Hie men ( f ™ r ,J" number) who exchanged Wows at the meeting will be brought before the Executive Committee of uio ( union and dealt with according to rules and regulations.