WAIHI WHIFFS.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 48, 9 February 1912, Page 10

WAIHI WHIFFS .

A .special meeting <>! members ol I lie I W'iiihi Workers' Accident Kcli.l- Association was reee.ntly held in the Union Hall. G. .\. .loiies (chaii man i poiiued out tluifc oiling to the abnor.imtl number of accidents since the mii cjui.ji) -of the society, and the oonseuent heavy drain on the funds, it lunihi be expedient, to cither reduce the i.'iiieiits Or strike levies to put the Association • -.-; a- .-:eu-e!e.r Jiiiiiiichil basis. (he Association had only come into existence."ojj August 21. of last year, and up to, .December 31 C37'J 13s Id had been disbursed in accident pay. General working expenses during the name period had amounted to £47 3s, making the total disbursements .€'ll9 lCs. The total receipts for the period amounted to £422. After a good deal of discussion and due deliberation, it was resolved that from the date of the meeting the benefits lie reduced by one-half (.accident pay 10s. per week and funeral allowance .£10), till such time «s the Association would be in a sounder financial position, when a meeting would be called th further consider the question. The Miners' Hal) was well filled on Sunday evening, January 14. when W. B. Parry delivered an excellent address en "Matters of Importance to Workers." with special reference to his recent trip through "God's Own" with the .Mines Commission. He felt that there was great need for greater organisation amongst the workers in both islcuds. Referring te the last election. 'he had witnessed workers in Wellington on election night so intoxicated with their intelligence as to carry capitalistic politicians on their backs. Was it any wonder the workers were defeated? The speaker was accorded (fiiile an ovation on the conclusion of his address.

The Socialist Party have been hard at work lately, and on Sunday, January 28, inaugurated their children's Sunday School, under the snperiiitendency of Comrade (i. Leather. Our comrade has had considerable .. experience of this sort of work in England, and great hopes arc held of its success here. A fitting opening was arranged, and several "revolutionaries" from Auckland and Huntly were present. Capitalism had an .neasy sleep that night, I'll warrant. The party has also re-started their fortnightly socials, which were such a great success last winter. The initial one for 1912 took place on Friday. January 26, and proved very enjoyable. s

Waihi has received a heavy mental shock, the occasion being the quarterly meeting of the Waihi Council of the New Zealand Federation of Labor in Waihi. The Miners' Union arranged a large open-air demonstration at the Seddon Memorial, and a large crowd attended to hear the various delegates express their views of matters of workingclass importance. Messrs. Rosser, McKnight, Duncan, Bloodworth, Marshall, and the organiser (R. Semple) were the speakers at tho meeting, at which the Miners' President (W. E. Parry) occupied the chair. The speakers were frequently applauded for their remarks, the keynote being "organisation."

On Sunday morning, January 28, the conference met to discuss the powers conferred upon it by tho National Executive. The clause giving power to the District Council to enter into disputes between master and man evoked considerable discussion. The Council was apparently surprised at these powers being conferred upon it, and denied that such powers were ever intended to be sought by the Council. The clauses relating to powers re disputes wore, referred back to the National Executive for reconstruction.

It was decided that the next meeting be hehl at the Thames, where some good work is hoped to be accomplished. At anyrate. there is plenty of material there 'to be moulded on the lines of modern organisation.

In tho afternoon the Miners' Hall was well idled, the occasion being tho opening oi the Sunday School ol the Socialist Party. Comrade G. Leather (.superintendent) occupied the chair, and briefly suited the object of the Sunday School—the teaching of tho dabs, struggle in order to better fit the young for the arduous work ahead. Comrade Marshall followed with a short characteristic address., and Comrade Mrs. Leather sang with fine- effect, "Bless tho Little Children." Comrade R. Semple appealed to the parents to send their children to the school in order to broaden their youthful minds. The sneaker received some excellent answers from the children, and concluded a most interesting address with a passionate appeal for the uplifting of suffering humanity, which won the unfit-in ted approval of his listeners. AI te moon tea was served by the ladies, the good things provided lieing heartily enjoyed.

At 7.30 a meeting under the auspices of the party was held, which resulted in a packed house. Comrado Peter Eraser (.President-elect of the party) n'cupiiil the chair. The speakers'— Oomrach s Marshall and Semple —were in excellent lighting form, and the largo audience showed its hearty endorsement by uvititintcd applause. Comrade Semple brought the house down with his description of the Reform Party Tally recently held in Auckland. He said lie had never listened to snch piffle in all his life, and if those men were the managers of the State ship— veil, all he could say was the passenJp.is were in for a. rough time. Duriiig the eve nine the orchestra, under

.Mr. (i. (lodkin, ,played '-some' excellent -elections. • "■ ■•' The Waibi Party have secured the -crvices of Comrade B. It. Hartley for :. term of two months, and will in the future run lectures-even Sunday evening at Waibi and in the smaller towns luring the week. Comrade Hartley ommcnccd his duties on Sunday. !'V). ruary 3. As evidence of flip growing demi.tid for literature in Waibi. it is worthy of mention that a large consignment of books was received <>n the 27th nit:, and were all disposed of at our openair meeting. This i* solely, due to the energy of 'our energetic secretary .Comrade F. Dye).—THE KFBFL.