THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1059, 20 June 1912, Page 3

THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Another batch of mimers left Waihi for Sydney by the Mabeno on Monday, lull up of the Red Federation’s strike bungle. More would have booked passages had there been available accommodation A reporter interviewed several on the boat, and all expressed strong resentment against the originators of the present strike, and their dislike to taking strike pay, which' one considered nothing less than living on charity. All admitted that the strike would have very serious results, and rather then be idle perhaps lor mouths and see their little pile gradually diminish they had decided to shake the dust of New Zealand off their feet. One said he intended joining a party of prospectors who were about to leave for the Northern Territory, while the remaining three said that Western Australia was their destination.

AN ABORTIVE CONFERENCE. THE FEDERATION’S THREAT. Waihi, June 18. The conference between the delegates of the Goldmine Miners’ Association and the Federation of Labour commenced here this afternoon. Mr Rhodes (Mineowners) presided. The chairman said they had met in accordance with the request of the Federation of Labour, and the Mine Owners’ Association was prepared to hear what the Federation had to say.

Iu reply to Mr Semple (for the Federation) Mr Rhodes made it clear that whatever agreement between the delegates of the Federation and the Association he represented was arrived at. it would have to be a binding one, and that at present he saw no other way to effect this than through the medium of the Arbitration Court.

Mr Semple said he had come there thinking something would be done. The gauntlet, however, had been thrown down, and though they had the press and all sections outside the working class, including a small section of the latter, against them, yet they had sufficient confidence in the workers of the country and of Australia, They would make it a bitter light to the end, with gloves off. The gloves were now off, and it would be a fight with bare knuckles.

Mr Rhodes: “All right, sir! We’ll leave it at that.” This ended the conference. Waihi, June 19.

At a mass meeting of strikers last night the speakers were greeted with considerable applause at the conclusion of their accounts of the proceedings at the conference with the Mine-owners’ Association.

In the course of a lengthy address by Mr Semple, he is reported to have stated that the position would again be discussed bv the executive of the Federation of Labour to decide upon a course of action ; also, he gave the impression that the fight would be confined to Waihi. The Federation would not call for a general cessation of work in the meantime.