The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MARCH 8, 1901 LABOR TROUBLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 57, 8 March 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, MARCH 8, 1901 LABOR TROUBLES.

It is clear that there is a feeling of unrest among the miners in the northern goldfields. The other day we heard of miners, in opposition to the wishes of their employers, taking a holiday for the holding of their annual picnic. Our telegrams this morning show that the men employed in the Government service at Jvarangahako are firm in their resolution not to accept the terms offered,which they say does not provide a living wage. Another telegram shows that the trouble at Waihi is becoming more serious. Though pretence is made that the men dismissed have been discharged because of their incapacity for the work, that is too transparent an explanation to be seriously accepted by anyone. The plain truth is that the question of unionism is at issue, and it will be interesting to note developments. A fiery speech was made on Saturday evening by Mr Jackson-Palmer, in advocacy of the men’s cause. He addressed a crowded meeting of the Waihi branch of the Thames Miners’ Union. Ho stated that he had come to Waihi for the express purpose of helping them in this their time of trouble. He entered his most emphatic protest against the Waihi Gold Mining Company for having dismissed from their employment steady, competent, and trustworthy servants who had faithfully served their employers some six and some seven years. And for what ? It was patent to all; because of their intimate connection with the Miners’ Union, and as spokesmen of the Union they had dared to ask for an increase of wages. If this was not the reason for the men’s dismissal, why had the Waihi Company, out of the hundreds of men in their employ, only selected for discharge the executive officers and delegates of the Miners’ Union ? There could only be one conclusion for the men’s dismissal, and it simply meant the introduction of a form of intima dation. How did the question affect the legislation of the colony ? The Conciliation and Arbitration Courts had been established to settle all disputes between the employer and the employee with respect to wages, hours of labour, and many other important matters, The Act distinctly declared that once the trouble had commenced there shall be no sacking of men, no lock-out, and no strike. The miners of Waihi obeyed the law to the letter, but the Waihi Goldmining Company had set at naught the letter and spirit of the Act. It was this defianco of labour laws that left but one course for the Premier to take in this matter, and that was to see the legislation carried out,' and it was intended it should be carried out. The miners only wanted their case met fairly in the Conciliation Court, and he could not for the life of him see why the Waihi mine should not be prepared to face the matter as required by law, and not attempt to override the Union as they had been doing. If tho Company’s action was endorsed, then no executive officers or delegates of any Labor Association would be safe, and trades unionism would be stamped out very soon. He would see this matter through if it required twelve months to accomplish. The following resolutions were unanimously carried by tho meeting : —(1) “ That the members of this (Waihi) branch of the Thames Miners’ Union are satisfied that the men who have recently been dismissed from the employ of the Waihi Gold Mining Company have received,dismissal on account of their connection and position held in the Waihi branch of the Thames Miners’ Union(2) “ That the action of the Committee following the dismissal of tho members of the Miners’ Union is hereby endorsed;” (3) "That Mr Jackson Palmer, M.H.R., be requested in conjunction with Mr W. H. Potts, President of the Thames Miners’ Union, to approach management of the Waihi GoldmTning Company to request the reinstatement of the miners and battery haiid? who have been victimised.” Our telegrams show|that Mr Tregear, Secretary of Labor, Las now arrived on the scene, and is seeking to effect a settlement by Conciliation. Apparently there is not much hope of his succeeding in his mission. The Waihi Company have taken a firm attitude in the matter, and the next move on the part -of the employees will be awaited with much interest.

The special feature of the; cycle racing yesterday was the game way in which C. Kirk tackled the crack riders from ■ other centres. With more experience of. the racing track Kirk would have made things livelier for the visitors. Maxwell, who won the Club Championship, is a rider of colonial note, who is now a resident of Gisborne.

. There was a large attendance at the Bowling Green yesterday afternoon, when a number of matches were played. Chief interest centred in tho Club singles and fours, the final of the latter being .played between Johnston, Rosie, Nasmith and Ferris (skip), who had a handicap of 17 points, and O’Meara, Nicholas, Wallace, and McGowan (skip) receiving 21 points. The game was keenly contested and resulted in a victory for McGowan’s team by eleven points, the scores being 43 to 34. On Wednesday evening, McGowan’s team met Robertson, Massey, Pettie, and Dixon (skip), the latter receiving 16 points. The game was slightly in favor of McGowan, who, with 21, had all the best of tho handicap, and won by 43 to 82. In the singles, Hookey, with 10 points, defeated Cox (30 points), by 45 to 44. The winner, however, came to grief in his match against Sidobottom, in the noxt round, when tho latter gained a meritorious victory by 30 to 23. Gaudin and Humpreys met on equal terms, each having six points. The game up to the eighteenth head was keenly contostod, and ended in favor of Gaudin, by 26 to 20. Willock (10 points) met J. T. Witty (18 points), the latter having an easy victory by 42 to 27. The following scratch matches were played :—Witty, Orr, Coleman, Simson (skip) 20, v. Robertson, Boxendell, Ambridge and Witty (skip) 25 ; Cox, McMillan, Pettie, Bright (skip) 19, v. Quigley, Morgan, Adair, Hennessey (skip) 27. Afternoon tea was provided by Mrs and Misses Morgan, and was greatly appreciated by members and visitors. On Thursday afternoon next, tea will be supplied by Mrs Orr.