WAIHI MINERS' DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 154, 25 March 1919, Page 8

WAIHI MINERS' DISPUTE

RESULT OP-MASS MEETING. By Telegraph—Press Association. Waihi, March 24. At a mass meeting held yesterday, the Miners' Union decided after addresses liad been delivered by Messrs. O'Rourkn and O'Brien, of tho Miners' Federation and Labour Federation respectively, to leave '.the matter regarding; the men standing out of the union in tho hands of the federation, and that tho federation representatives approach tho companies regarding the position. The Miners' and Labour Federations have reported as follows regarding the-dispute: -''After reviewing tV> position of the British minors the fact is clearly illustrated that the better miners are organised the more satisfactory it is for all concerned. In f:u?o of this the attitude of the Waihi Company in conntenanc'in<; the refusal of several employees to become members of tho union and the attitude of tho?e men is viewed with alarm and by organised workers throughout tho Dominion. An agreement was arrived ut hist September between the minn-owners and tlie miners' representatives that nothing would be dono to interfere with the recognised ■function of the local unions, recognising that the first function of a union was to ensure that all employees in an industry are members of the union. In face of this it appears to the local union officers and the federation representatives that the Waihi Company is out to cause industrial turmoil. The executive of the local union is to be congratulated on its attitude up to the present, and, despite the clamour of the rank and file, it has not allowed drastic action to be taken. The situation at Waihi is extremely delicate, and it behoves everyone who has interest in the welfare of Hie town to see that the cause, of the friction is immediately removed."