FLAXMILL EMPLOYEES AND WAIHI STRIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1013, 22 October 1912, Page 3

FLAXMILL EMPLOYEES AND WAIHI STRIKE.

THE "DAY OFF” NOT OBSERVED LOCALLY.

At a meeting of the Flaxmills Employees Union held at Tokomaru about a fortnight ago it was decided to cease work lor one day as a protest against the gaoling of strikers at Waihi, when a demonstration was to be held at Palmerston North. The day fixed for this demonstration was to-day, and the employees at all the mills in the district were communicated with to this effect. The decision ot the Tokomaru meeting was not received with much enthusiasm by some of the employees at the different mills and opinions were divided as to whether tools should be downed on the day appointed or not. A great number of the men were indifferent, apparently not caring whether the proposed demonstration was held or not. A meeting ol employees was held at Shannon and the reports published indicated that the meeting was rather of a stormy nature, at which it was decided to continue workiug as usual on the day appointed. The employees at the local mills were apparently opposed to the ‘‘holiday,” ns milling operations are in full swing at all the mills on the bank to-day. It is staled, however, that practically the whole ot the mills, with the exception of the Foxton ones, have closed down, uot so much because the men support the tactics of the Federation of Eabour, but because of their indifference. From information gathered it appears that the majority of the flaxmill hands aie opposed to the Federation of Eabour, preferring the Conciliation Council and Arbitration Court methods ol settling disputes. It is understood that the ballot taken recently on the question ol seceding from the Federation was destroyed on account of some irregularity, and that another vote is to be taken on the question.