The Waihi Strike.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 73, 2 August 1912, Page 9

The Waihi Strike.

To see Premier Massey,

"Tho idle miners, " &s the truthslayiug press calls 113, are still idle.j Thoy are still telling us bow much money we have lost that we never possessed, and lots of equally ridiculous statements. Tho latest move, towards attempting to bring about a settlement is tho visit of the Mayor of Waihi (Mr. John Newth) and Councillor Potter to Wellington to interview Premier Massey 1o sac "what can be did." Councillor V. H. Potter is t'he individual who, a week before tho 1911 minors' Union annual meeting, joined the uuion and was nominated for the Executive Council, but was placed at the bottom of tho poll. Since the strike took place, he hna been proving his loyalty to the robbing fraternity. Nai'nrally, ho will bo able to deliver the "plod" with official approval. No one expects the Mayor vi set fire to Wellington with his oratory, and not one of tho slaves of Waihi is in a sufficient state, of delirium tremens to expect Massey to tell the mine-owners to accede to the workers' demands. So, at time of writing, tho sfctike re-mains unchanged. Strike pay is being paid o'lt as iisunl, and so far ample supplies have come to hand to meet all demands. People's Popular Prices I A very successful' -oncert was held on Tuesday evening of last week, when the Sport? and Entertainment' Committee presented -\ varied programme to a large and enthusiastic audience at the People's Popular Prices —Free, Gratis, j>tut for Nothing. A singing competition for children resulted in Miss Gibson proving the winner. The committee are h> bo congratulated upon the success of their enthusiastic efforts in providing sue!) bills of fare as they have repeatedly done since the inception of the struggle. Successful Meetings. During last week tfhe Vice-president (Mr. W. McLennan) arranged meetings at various towns on tlve AucklandWaihi line. Several meetings at adjacent mining camps have been held also, the true position being received with marked approval in the majority of cases. Anti-conscripts.

Two more boys —Leslie, Itodgers and Loslio Lack —who refused to join God-

Official Report from the Scene of Action

ley's coiiscript army, have arrived home trom Thames alter being held in captivity in juil IVr seven days. A public woloonw v. .is .■•.>; ded t'hein at tho SmMoii Monnnn'iii. whoro vigorous and -'di-iloy.*!" ;ckin'.,...'s liv(Mcd liy Messrs. Dye, King, _ Kennedy and Uodsiers to a large audience.

Carl Rodders haa just received a notification from tho Defence authorities to attend drill for t-lio purpose cf taking the oath of allegiance. They fmve not tv!i.-ii<od much time after his seven days hi prison for refusing to register. Stray Shots. Tho member of tho Auckland Chambotr of ltoli hers who eaid that "no legislation would atop men from edrikiny if thoy so desired/ evidently knew inoro iiboul the awakening intelligence of the slave-class than the majority of the wag"-slavo3 do themselves.

Whon questioned by a striker as to why "ho w.i.h so nnximiS for tho miners to resume- work," a local rubber said: "We'll, if they don't go back to work, I will hay" to go to work." That's what tho (Iμ says, too, after the dog is thoroughly fumigated.

'J.'hrt reason advanced on a recent Sunday at the Forward Movement for "the world's unrest" was that "a spirit; of liberty was abroad • . . and. leads to discord." "Materialism also is a cause of the world's unrest." (Guess it's because the bottom-doggers haven't enough materialism that is causing all the trouble). 'There is something in man thab craves." Yes, parson, >o craves for all he as a class produces, and he will set it without waiting for something from on high.

The Waiiii Chamber of Robbers— I>o, Commerce —has been earnestly diseasing tlie Waihi strike, and the best possible means to got the men back to work. All the speakers were agreed that the nVnt had la.sted lons enough, an-d should be on Hod off. They all agreed thai the Arbitration Court required considerable amending., but r,o one suggested the abolition of the dear old institution. One speaker advocated a sort of a trial by jury to settle disputes, regulate wages, conditions, etc., while nnothiM- member was sure compulsory wftsros boards was th-p solution to the. problem.