HUNTLY & WAIHI.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1572, 16 October 1912, Page 8

HUNTLY & WAIHI.

TAUPIRI POSITION. NO MINERS RESUME WORK. WATERSIDE ASPECTMODERATE MEN QUITE TIRED. THE HAT-Plrf CASE. (13y Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, October 15. There is so much dissension amongst members of the Auckland Waterside Workers' Union that a section of men, numbering about 320, were openly expressing a desire to-day that they should l'orm a new union. . These men are the moderate section of the union, and are loyal to the Arbitration Act. One waterside worker told a "Herald" reporter that tho leaders of the moderate party had, for some days, been considering whether it would not be advisable for their party to break away, and form a new union. They had been urged from many quarters that this would be tho wise course, and they were sure that they would havo public sympathy behind them.

There was a lengthy meeting of the executive of the '.'Waterside Workers' Union this morning', when delegates from the General Labourers' Union put their case before the executive. It is understood that there has been a great deal of dissatisfaction caused by labourers' pickets making exaggerated statements on Monday as to the number of labourers who had ceased work. After a lengthy discussion the watersiders' executive decided to call a special general meeting of tho whole union for eight o'clock on Friday morning, when a vote will' be taken on the strike question. If the men decide to strike they will go out immediately. NONE RESUMED. c (By Telegraph— Press Associations Auckland, October 15. The Himtly Miners' Union declined to agree to the recommendation of the executive, that they should resume work when the whistle blew at the mine, pending the decision of the Federation of Labour in reference to the Taupiri Coal Company's action in dismissing the executive. No miners started work this morning, sur- j face hands only being employed. • QUESTION IN HOUSE. In. tho House of Representatives yesterday, Mr. 6. W. Unshell (Avon) asked the Prime Minister whether tho Government proposed to take any action, or to consult the officers of the' Crown with regard to . the dismissal of the executive of -the Waikato Miners' Union by- the •Taupiri Coal Company. 110 said he did not propose to discuss tho matter, but ho wcut on to -say that it seemed to him that the action of the company was calculated to create a very sorious industrial disturbance. The Hon. J. Alien: I thought you were not going to discuss it.. Mr. Russell: I'm not going to. Mr. Allen: You're very unwise to do it. Leave this thins, oiit of party 'politics. Mr. Russell again repeated his .statement that the aclion of the company was exceedingly likely to precipitate a trouble such as had occurred at Waihi. The Hon. W. F. Masscy (Prime Minister) said, in reply, that lie had never been communicated with or consulted by the directors of the Taupiri Coal Company with regard to what had taken place. On tne merits of the question he preferred not to express on opinion at present. Ho had no objection, however,, to. referring the matter to the law officers of the Crown, alid lie would seo that this was done. . LABOURERS' ATTITUDE. (By Telegraph— Press Association.} ' Auckland, October 15. ' The position in regard to the partial strike of general labourers remains much the same as it was yesterday. The majority of the 400 men who went out, as a protest against tho refusal of the local bodies to take back tho men who ceased work last Thursday, are still out, there only being a few instances in which, they have returned to work. Picketing was again indulged in extensively to-day, but, apparently, was attended by anything tut encouraging results to tho strikers. Most of tho men working for the local bodies appear to liave been "waited upon" by parties of pickets, but, iii nearly every case, the interviews seem to have been futile. Tho methods adopted are'quite peaceable, although decidedly annoying for the men upon whom they are practised. The pickets first of all as a rule try a little gentle suasion, and, if this foils to effect the desired purpose, they content themselves with hurling . such over-worked epithets as "scabs" and "traitors" at the workers.

The Drainage Board's 47 casual labourera are still walking the pavement; and, consequently, some of tho hoard's works will lie delayed. As'jxt no attempt has been mndo to fill their places. The City Council is having, practically 110 trouble with its employees, only about 30 absenting themselves from work. It is understood that some of tho men working in the Domain who took a day's holiday yesterday grew tired of idleness, and returned to their work to-dav.

Tho Harbour Board men, with tho exception of 60, who wont out yesterday, turned up as usual to-day, and, although somo of them were visited by tho pickets, tliey refused to throw down their tools.

The waterside workers held a general meeting yesterday to consider what action should, bo taken in. regard to Ihe strike, and it was decided to allow t'he matter to remain in abeyance until Friday, when a mass meeting will be held. It is expected, in the meantime, that the executive of the Federation of Labour will have intimated what course they consider advisable. - , , , M As all local bodies are affected by tlio general labourers' strike, the question arises: What should be done? The chairman >of tho Auckland Harbour Board (Mr. J. H. Gunson) this afternoon remarked that local bodies would have to take action. It would be foolish,- at tho present time, to take anything but united action. Tho position was undoubtedly serious, and it was necessary that representatives of all local liodies should meet tomorrow, or on Thursday, to discuss what their united attitude should be. "OFFICIAL REPORT." ' Auckland, Octobcr 15. The following official report was sup. plied to a reporter this morning by members of tho Strike Committeo of tho General Labourers' Union:—"A mass meeting of strikers -was held in tho Trades Hall yesterday afternoon, the hall being crowded by tho men on strike. Great enthusiasm prevailed. Despite the press reports that only 100 labourers ceased work 'on Thursday last as a protest against the gaoling of the Waihi strikers, 12.) men j are victimised sis tho result of ceasing I work, and a largo number were allowed to resumo their ordinary occupations, thus proving that considerably over 100 took part in Thursday's demonstration. Tho leaders of the meeting laid great stress on tho advisability of maintaining order, while engaged in picketing the various jobs. The strike officials aro well .satisfied with the response to cease work while their mates aro victimised." "The following manifesto wa.« unanimous--1 ly adopted by the meeting :~"As the outcome of tho decision of the employers .of Auckland to victimise labourers in their employ-who,-at.-the roquet of'their. organisation, took part in the demonstration hold on Thursday, October 10. a'special meeting of the union was held on Sun'dnv morning tvhf-n it was decided, to down tool? until all the men were reinstated.'

."Tho decision was further unriiiinum-lv endorsed I'V a nitiss meeting nf workers in the following re.-oiulicn''This inceling of workers is determined In re«enl to Ihc i'nlU'-l the methods odopted l,v the employers toward Hie workng class.' " The' system of picketing is being conducted by squads of men under ">erireant?" who report lo the strike emnnntiop. and oil Iho report nf various "*erf<mnti>," SOS men rexpottdnd the i>»l] to ioivn tools which conflicts with the state.

ment issued in the daily, papers giving the number ns -UK). Also stewards were appointed as doorkeepers so that none hut general labourers were - admitted to Hie ma.s» meeting. ■ Tlio number tl;i? mc-eting was 689, which substantiates the liguros given by the pickets us to the actual number of strikers.