Waihi Miners.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 15, 16 June 1911, Page 11

Waihi Miners.

Enthusiastic Mass Meeting.

A mass meeting of -the Wailii miners was held on "Wednesday evening of last week to consider the delegates' report from the conference with the mining companies' representatives. Fully 800 members were present, and about 100 were unable to gain admission. Proceedings were enthusiastic from the start, and were a direct refutation of the remarks mad© about diversity of opinion. Mr. W. E. Parry (president of Union) explained the result of the conference, which, despite adjournments, was abortive. Mr. Parry eulogised the delegates' attitude at conference, and said that they completely overcame the mining representatives in every argumeirtEach of delegates spoke on the matter, and laid clearly before -the men the position. The following resolutions were then put and carried un>animously: —

(1) That, in view of the uncompromising atitude adopted by the mining companies' representatives at conference yesterday, and your delegates having exhausted ail efforts to effect reasonable concessions at said conference, we immediately hand over the question to the New Zealand Federation of Labor.—Carried unanimously.

(2) That in view of the undue criticism levied against the policy of this Union by irresponsible persons, and the effort to form a scab organisation here, this mass meeting of the Waihi (Miners' and Workers' Union express their unbounded confidence in the Union, officials, and the policy of the New Zealand! Federation of Labor.— Carried unanimously.

(3) That this meeting repudiates the statement made fri the local paper to-night re the major part of the contractors being opposed to any alteration in the contract system.—Carried unanimously-

Mr. Senrple then addressed the meeting, and in a forcible manner criticised the action of scab members endeavouring to form a new organisation. He also dwelt on the necessity of loyalty to The Maoriland "Worker, as it was essential to our progress that we hay© a strong press behind us. He was greeted with prolonged cheering at the conclusion, and then called for three cheers for "organised Labor," which were given with all the heartiness characteristic of miners. Cheers Iwiere also (Called for Semple .and Parry, which were lustily responded to. This closed the most enthusiastic and unionistic meeting ever held in Waihi.—O. SMITH and C. McMILXrAN, joint correspondents.