Huntly Lock-out

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 87, 8 November 1912, Page 4

Huntly Lock-out

Men Resume work

THE ENVOYS.

SEMPLE'S STATEMENTS

Messrs. Webb and Semple, representing the executive of the Federation of Labor, arrived at Huntly on October 25. They were met at the railway station by a big crowd.

Mr. Semple admitted the extreme gravity of the situation generally, but hoped that an honorable settlement would be arrived at. In the meantime the Federation was being assailed by employers and others, and an action for heavy damages for libel was being taken against the Federation by those concerned in the efforts to form scab unions. The seriousness of the position was the Federation's excuse for not meeting the men Booner. He felt sure the men would admit that an honest endeavor was being made to settle the trouble in an honorable way. At the conclusion of his speech, Mr. Semple was cheered.

At a mass meeting of Huntly miners next day, Mr. Semple, Federation organiser, advised the men to resume work on Tuesday, Monday being Labor Day, on the supposition that they would be taken back on the conditions formerly existing.

In the meantime, the Federation would maintain on strike pay those members of the executive committee who were dismissed as the result of the holiday taken to join in the demonstration against the imprisonment of the Waihi strikers.

Mr. Semple, in the course of a later speech at a meeting of Huntly miners, emphasised the fact that the lack of funds necessitated the decision of the executive in advising the men to return to work. It was better, he said, to give the Federation a chance to fight out to the finish at Reefton and Waihi than risk failure all over. The financial factor was a tremendous hurdle. The Federation's recommendation was adopted, but a further motion was carried that in the event of any further victimisation the whole body of men refrain from going down the mine.