THE TABLES TURNED.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1595, 12 November 1912, Page 6

THE TABLES TURNED.

MELEE AT WAIHI. WORKERSTURN ON THE STRIKERSSTREET FI6HTING. NO QIIAETER ASKEB OR. GIVEN. (By. Telegraph.—Press Waihl, November 11. Tho long-lookod-for clash botn-cen workers and non-worliors, or orbitrationists and federationists, occurred tliis morning. Tho incidents in Swldon Street' on Saturday ftftevnoon wero but ft mild curtain-raiser to tho events of this morning. At about 7.30 tho moil going on shift »t both tire Waihi and Grand Junction minoß-assem-bled opiiosito tho now union hall. Mctc they formed into ma-rcliing, column and started oif, four abrtast, en routp tp tho mines. Meanwhile, tho 6trikens aim vvomon congregated, and ns soon as they espied the workers coming 'they crossed over to tho same sido of tho street, tho non-workers intermingling with tho women. Tho workers continued, their march without interference, excepting for tile usual chorus of brays from tho men and wanrcn alike. Tho procession proceeded oii its way until it reached a point near tho mine entrance. The Spark to tho Powdor. At this point the clash occurred, A, unionist picket- mode■ nn insviUinif remark to a worker, liig.h words I'oUowvd between tho two, sovoral citizens interven-ed,-and. endeavoured to restore peace, but, notwithstanding th« offorts in'this diwiction, blows wero struck. Both men went at each other hot and strong. Tho incident seemed to bo tho signal of nn aggressivo movemont by nrl>)ti<atlo)i> ists, and in a tw.iukKng iv stampede occurred. Like a boit from tho blue tho workers turned on tho striker!; and smashed into them right and left. Women, became panic-stricken, and. shrieking, (led in all directions for safety. The police were for tho tinib beiiiig powerless ngninst the sudden- overwhelming onslaught of the workers. ; . ■ -.- • ■ "Boys, Let's at 'Em!" No. quaTter wns. asked or giveiu The strikers were outnumbered by over three to ono. A cry went up from tho .ranks of tio workers: "No\v, boys, let's ht'em." Tho cry was answered* by a yell, and the workers fell.upon, the federationists with increased vigour. A regular.Donnybroflk scene fallowed. The strikers had.no chance, and fled incontinently anywhere for safety. Moan. while individual fights were' occurring thick and fast hi all directions, while there were..instances of strikers fleeiiig like hunted rabbits with the workers ot their heels.- . Such a scene has never' before been witnessed in' Waihi.' There were one- or, two instances in which several, workers were Hun to ono striker, but, with these ' exosptions, no unfair- advantage was. taken by the workers, the orpwd insisting that .there should bo. a fair deal, • Police ■ Poworjens—Strikers Flee:. Those who were i-,ot already engaged in -hand-to-hand fights scurried into.right-of-ways and. other plnces tq get out of the Way of the infuriated workers, The latfcer's blood was up. There was 'no restraining' them. The - polico . at this stage appeared . powerless .to stem the ~ torrent oi'. ailgry, : passion. A number of wonen and iiien sought refuse in a butolwr's • shop, where constables mounted guard. -In the .generflj lcelee there", were ■ a number of exciting incidents,-including several .stand-up fights botween" some of tho more prominent 'arbitiatiohists and federationists, the former lashing; at their opponents ■ with the fury ! -of long nent-u-p passion. Bleeding' noses aild cut inces resulted from'the iiuick' exchango of blows;.' ' ■ A group of about half a dozen federationists standing on a Eight of steps wore advised by the police to. go honi«, A band of workers rushed. at them, • and' they bolted np the'stops-with l the workers at their-heels. WheaoVer. strikers, were seen making for .refuge the crowd, chased thom. Thoy ran ' like scalded' cats. Meanwhile' the police endeavoured to protect them from tho,crowd.Enter Ppmmissioner Ciillen, - The'next scene occiirred iji the vicinity of the Miners' Union Hall.. Hero the workers concentrated in- force, and made for the hall, Svhei'o .a number'of federationistst had taken.,.refuge, .The .crowd yolled at those who were in tho building, and made nn attempt to get inside. At this stage tho Commissioner of Police (Mr. Cullen) took a hand. Mounting the steps at the entrance to ..the'- ha 11,., he •called upon the ..crowd to disperse, . tJltk mately, the workers were induced .-to go away. They then gathered their forces together. Getting into' marching . order, they proceeded, anil', tie Waihi mine hands escorted the Junction hands, to the Junction mine. .-'„... ; While on the way the workers suddenly' espied a band of 'strikers: in the' distance, and a' contingent from their ranks rushed in, hot pursuit after them. However, mounted police bnrred their progress, preventing any further troubli*. Workers Goaded to Exasperation. Meanwhile the blusts ; of a whistle from the mines had gone forth unheeded, the men arriving at work over'half an hour late. Eyewitnesses .stated .that the_ workers had been goaded to exasperation .by unemployed (to. tho footpaths, and women who wero with them. 4 Tie goading was continued . without intermission until the workers could stand it no ■longer, and When ono-who 'was near them called out. "scabs," he ttas -quickly dealt with. What followed , has already been recorded.