HARMONY AT WAIHI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1135, 19 August 1913, Page 2

HARMONY AT WAIHI.

MINERS AND TRADESPEOPLE SATISFIED.

Auckland, August iS.

“Both from the workers and the employers’ point of view conditions at Waihi have never been better than they are at present,” remarked Mr A. Butler, President ot the Ohinemuri Mines and Batteries Employees’ Union, in an interview. “The conditions of work are better, and the wages are also better, and since the strike the class of men employed in Waihi might safely be said to be equal of any in New Zealand. There has been work completed in the Waihi Mine of late that had never previously been approached, that is with regard to breaking out of the ore. There are fewer employed now, but the tonnage worked per man has been largely increased, all of which goes to show that the company is getting better work from its employees. Three years ago there was always dissatisfaction, but there never has been before such harmony as exists now.”

During the period of the strike, as was well known, and even before, there was a feeling of unrest, which at times amounted to chaos among the business people in the town. Now the tradesmen, Mr Butler said, were as satisfied as it was possible for them to be,' and they had been showing their appreciation of the new labour regime In a very practical way by according the union strong financial support.