UNION SPECIAL MEETING.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 90, 6 December 1912, Page 4

UNION SPECIAL MEETING.

STRIKERS ENDORSE DECISION.

EXECUTIVE'S REASONS,

RESOLUTIONS OF APPRECIATION

CONFIDENCE IN EXECUTVE.

(Special to TfiE Mao&tland Worker.) AUCKLAND, Monday. Sample, Webb, Parry, Canham .and Frasir attended a meeting of the Waihi Workers' Union in the Trades Hall, Auckland. Wesley Richards prfesided over ft. good attendance. Parry spoke first, and conveyed the results of the Federation Executive's deliberations, giving the reasons for the' decision to call the strike "off." The companies had been defeated in so far, as regarded the obtaining of efficient labor; in fact, that assertion was admitted by themselves; but owing to demonstrations of administrative tyranny by the Government and the police involving the necessity of maintaining the strikers away from their homes, it was thought inadvisable to proceed further with the struggle. Its continuance would mean increased hardship, and no useful purpose would be served thereby. The fight had been a great one. They had begun well, and had fought throughout well, and must face defeat bravely like men. He had the best of reasons for stating that a considerable number of men would be started right away at the mines, and before many weeks had passed he believed raany" more would have been gradually aborbed. The Federation would stand by all until work was obtained.

Semple, who followed 3 explained that one of four courses had to b6 chosen: First, conducting the strike aWay from Waihi; secondly, returning and continuing the struggle in Waihi; thirdly, declaring Waihi a scab town; arid, fourthly, declaring the strike "off." The latter course amounted to an admission of defeat at the hands of th# Government, whose brutal arrangement, endorsement and participation in mob violence drove the Waihi people from their homes. After a lengthy and

calrft deliberation, every ftfetor being fully considered, the executive had conic to the decision to adopt the fourth course, ifkich decision was concurred in by the Waihi Strike , Cbminitte© , .' Webb and Canham also spoke on similar line's. Charles Smith moved:— The*' this mating of the- Waitti Workers' Union hereby endorsee- the decision of the Federation executive in declaring the Waihi strike "off" from this date. After partuSpatingf in the greatest' industrial struggle in New Zealand's histtfry — which ranks as one of the' most strenuous, orderly* and clear-cut fights" foif Industrial Unionism in AusTrM«si*«H«f feel compelled, owing to" the* forces arrayed againet us—wneietmgr of tbe Government, with all its uaion-ema»h-ing forces, the law court, .and all, its degrading partisanship *■* is* .&ct, every conceivable force of —to arrive at this decision. lise that for thetim© being #eliave had the worst of the deal, but feel firmly convinced we will emerge "from the conflict stronger 1 aWd nibre" 0U ttf carry on the work of obtaining humanity's freedom in the near future. The motion was carried with 24 dissentients, who favored carrying on the strike. Resolutions of appreciation of the Federation executive's conduct Cf the , fight and of the assistance, financial and otherwise, received ffdifn the 1 wdfkers of New Zealand and AflfiStfaliw, find of the Auckland Trades Hjall trtisfeW for placing the hall at the disposal 6t the Strike Committed, wtere passed unanimously and heartily. ' Despite the unavoidable disappointment and chagrin at having to acknowledge defeat, even at the 'hands of the political State, after concluding a magnificent struggle' for Indiietiial Unionism, the meeting wee cheerful, and even- enthusiastic, ia.accepting this temporary repulse', as men with spirits unbreakable can. The ed with ringing cheers for the Federation of Labor. The executive considers the meeting a worthy conclusion to the urieutpftieed fight on the part of the Waihi men. Mr. H. Melrose cdav«3«eTd the executive's decision to the , riieil at Earangahak*; $M Mr. C. Mattfeew W flidife «t the Thames.—FRASER, WEBB, end SjEMPLB.