The Position as Regards Employment

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

The Position as Regards Employment

MR. RHODES AND THE STRIKERS.

ARE THE MEN BETRAYED?

A meeting of the Waihi Trade Union of Workers was held on December 6, Mr. W. E. Parry (president) in the chair. Mr. Parry said he was pleased to see so many old faces present that morning and to find them by no means saddened ones. Mr. Wesley Richards would give a detailed account of what took place bet-ween himself and Mr. Rhodes (attorney for the Waihi Mining Company) and the methods adopted by the Strike Committee in dealing with the closing stages of the fight. Hβ explained the various views the Federation exeouptive had to contend with, and the reason why they had arrived at the decision to declare the strike off. This has already been explained to Worker readers.

Mr. Richards stated it would not take long to sum up the position. He had private business with Rhodes, and that, gentleman brought up the question of the strike. Rhodes told him that it mattered not to the company whether the men belonged to the scab union or any other union, and he was prepared to engage thfl members of the Federation union without compelling them to join the scab union. On this understanding the Strike Committee had en-

dorsed the executive's decision. Since then, however, tho company had decided that all men employed in the minAs must be members of tho scab union. It was a complete somersault by the mine-owners.

At this stage Mr. Canham, Federation representative of the Watereiders, was introduced to the audience and received a. hearty welcome from the miners. Mr. Canham briefly replied in an appropriate manner.

Mr. McLennan (vice-president) also explained several little details in connection with the matter. In an interview with the Grand Junction manager (Mr. McConachie) the day before, the manager had stated that until he received further instructions he had to insist on all employees being members of the scab union.

Mr. \V. E. Parry then explained the attack made on himself, Richards, and McLennan by employees of the Junction mine when socking an interview with the mine superintendent (Mr. Grace). Even if the Federation members joined thfe arbitration union th*y would still be subject to the approval of the scab official before getting employment. It was quit© apparent that the scab organisation had some sort ef hold oter tho mining company and were masters of Waihi—at present. The company tvas in sortie gort of dilemma with the scab ftff&ir. He asked the members to discuss the matter fully, and please themselves as to what decision they arrived at.

Tim matter was then thrown open to discussion. One member said that on seeking employment the day before he was told by on© mine manager that as he was one of the "jail-birde" he had no chance of employment. Another member pointed out that even those who joined the scab trust had no guarantee of employment by the mlaing magnates of Waihi.

After lengthy discussion, the following motion was submitted to the Meeting: "That the members of this union please themselves as to whether they return to work or leave the place." This wae carried, with three dissentients.

The general feeling throughout tha meeting was that very few of the members would accept the company's ultimatum to join the Scab union. In fact, it appears that the elave-owners have, like their scabs, overreached themselves in their tyranny and gre«d. — Tfiffi REBEL.