Waihi Again!

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 91, 13 December 1912, Page 4

Waihi Again!

Miners' Halt In Hands 6f Unionist Owners

By H.E.H.

The unionists returned to Waihi in large numbers as soon as the strike was declared off.

A number went to the mine and ask* M for Work, and were told they would first have to join the Scab union, and would also have to sign the unemployed list there.

This evidently with a view of facilitating Work of blacklisting by the chief scabs.

Not on* of the returning unionists joined the scab concern.

In due time Semple's wire to the union, intimating that Rhodes had notified Richards that the Unionists would not be required to either join or sign oh with the scab union was posted. Next day an official of the Scab union (Rudd) posted a typewritten notice up on a business establishment opposite the tlnion Hall, intimating that work Would only be given to member* of an Arbitration Uflian. This bore Barry's signature, and apparently indicates that Barry has rebelled against Rhodes, and is out to assert himself.

On Tuesday morning ft notice was served on the scab union, representatives demanding that they deliver 4 up the keys of the Union Hall on or before Saturday, December 7, and threatening legal proceedings if the demand were not cqmplied with.

This caused a, little flutter in the scab dovecote, and there was much rushing around and the mine officials were consulted and legal advice sought.

It should be mentioned here that prior to the return of the Unionists the scabs had returned to their original office.

On Wednesday afternoon two of the union trustees (Messrs. Morton and Hales) walked , into the Union Hall througH an open door, and took posses* sion of the building on behalf of its owners, the Waihi Trade Union id Workers. How the door came to be open, and how the trustees came to find it open might be too long & tale to be told in this issue of The Woftftfiß. tfc was not long before a large crowd of unionists had quietly strolled from the union's temporary office, higher up the street, and that afternoon a brief meeting was held, addressed by McLennan and Fraser, when the unionists were welcomed back to their own hall.

Afterwards tho trusteee waited on the police inspector, and intimated that the union had taken possession of its own building, and would require that the hall be protected from damage. They also demanded from the police the property of the union seized when the hall was broken Into.

Tea WoSfcER representative accompanied the trustees, bat the police inspector declined to talk while he tt&H present, and he accordingly left. The police sergeant entered upon a cross-examination of the trustees as to how they go* into the hall, aad wti told "through the open dbor." The essence 6f the police reply to the trustees was that they considered the unionists were now in the position the scabs had been in when they had possession of the hall. If any attempt were made to dispossess thenl it would have to be made through the law courts. The police would only interfere in the event of any breach of the peace. With regard to the union property, the po'ice refused to hand this over unless ordered to do so by the court. Thus the union property, seiaed by the scabs when the hall was violently raided on November 12, is now held by the pone. Aβ the union trustees left the police station two representatives of the grab mgf iiisation rushed breathlessly in with angry faces and puffing hard. Apparently failing to get assistance there, they were next seen speeding towards the office of the mine. It would be interesting to learn what transpired there. Rudd paid a couple of visits to the hall, and was allowed to enter without molestation, but he went away looking a very 6ick and sorry nlan. It was most amusing to Watch the expression on many a ecab countenance as the strike-breakers, with all the available police guardians that Waihi could produce, returned past the hall from work.

A number —not one of whom had eVe- been a member of the Miners' Union —gathered around the door of the Union Hall and endeavored to precipitate trouble. Among them were the Maori (Peter Leaf) and the cockney Harvey. The latter had a special grievance against The Maoiuland Worker that he wanted to ventilate. Rudd came excitedly on the scene, and Said a few angry words as he endeavored to get the disturbers away, and in the end the police ordered them to "get Cut of it" —and they got.

At night a splendid cffiWd of men and women filled the Miners' Sail, and an* other enthusiastic meeting Was held.

The recapture of the hall has heaft-ened-up the unionists and dismayed the scabs.

Splendid solidarity—the most splendid ever seen in an industrial fight with such a history—prevails in the union ranks, and Waihi will cdtne again. Scabbery will fall; solidarity will triumph, and, anyhow, New Zealand will be one big step nearer t6 the Social revolution because of the Waihi strike and the great fight that was fought for dear freedom by the men, women and children of the Union.