Huntly Happenings.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 86, 1 November 1912, Page 6

Huntly Happenings.

DAY BY DAY AMONC THE LOCKED-OUT. MEN OFFER TO TAKE PLACE OF JAILED STRIKERS. The stroke of the pick is silenced, the noise of the screens has ceased, the boys stand about in idleness, the bosses are far from pleased. The position here briefly summarised is as follows: — October 10—A. holiday to protest against our fellows being put in jail. October 11—Returned to work. Refused work by manager, who was awaiting directors' decision, directors having already warned us against taking the holiday.

October 12—Still awaiting decision —tbis time it's the Mine-owners' Association that has to decide.

October 13—Sunday. Adjourned meetiiVg of union held in afternoon. Mining Act amendments discussed. Large meeting at the Log in the evening addressed by Peter Fraser and Mrs. Leech (of Waihi), Marshall and Duncan (of Huntly).

October 14 —Sports and games in the afternoon. The executive of union summoned to meet manager at 5 p.m. in the company's office. Executive meet manager. Manager road an ultimatum from the directors, approved of by the Mine-owners' Association, which dispensed with the services of the whole of the nine men who form t3io executive of the union, on the ground that said nine men had signally failed in their duty to the company by not preventing the men from taking holiday on the 10th hist. Each man was offered a fortnight's pay; each refused to accept same. Executive decided to call a general meeting and recommend:

"That the men return to work on the loth inst., and leave the position re the dismissal of the executive in the hands of the executive of the Federation." The general body threw out the recommendation in so far as it applied to returning to work on the loth inst. The chief argument against returning to work was that the directors and company kept us idle pending the decision to be arrived at by the Mineowners' Association; we remain idle pending the decision of the Federation. October 15—Whistles blew for work. No one went to work. "Herald" of same date reports all except the executive resumed work. Twenty-eight men offered to take the places of men sent to jail at Waihi; 20 chosen by committee: they are ready.

October 16—All quiet; none but officials and necessary mechanics, enginedrivers and firemen at work. No attempt being, made by union to close down the plant. T. Walsh arrives.

October 17—Same as 16th, supplemented by concert at night.-

October 18—Awaiting decision of Federation. "Herald" of this date appeared with heavy head-lines: "Federation refused to take action re Huntly miners." The executive of the union issued a contradictory bulletin to the statement of the "Herald." T. Walsh lefti the town, having failed to oruaniso. another union here. Concert again in the evening.

October 19—Awaiting developments quietly and patiently.

Lift up your eyes, ye toilers, and take a look around. The master-class is trying to crush us to the ground. Must we sta,nd still and W, them ? Say "No" with all your might. Some of us mar go under, but all of us will fight.

"We fight for industrial freedom, cur heritage and right. Our motto and our watchword—"Unite, Unite. Unite!—BßUlT. (This arrived the day after we had gone to press last week. —Ed.)