Attacked by Scabs

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 92, 20 December 1912, Page 4

Attacked by Scabs

POLICE AGAIN POWERLESS.

COMPANY AND VIOLENCE

On Thursday morning, December 5, Messrs. Parry, McLennan and Wesley Richards proceeded to the Grand Junction mine, AVaihi, for the purpose of interviewing Superintendent Grace. On arrival at the mine they met Manager McConochie, and had a long talk with him. Mr. McConochie could give them nothing definite, a»d told them to see Mr. Grace, whom they would find at either the power-house or the battery. At the power-house they met the electrical engineer, Mr. Cole, w,ho directed them to the battery. On reaching the battery they were told by one of the scabs that Grace was down at the power-house.

Two policemen were present, and these demanded to know what they were doing there. Richards replied they were on business and were seeking the superintendent.

At this time one of the scabs aaid to Parry: ' 'AA r hat the hell are you doing here; we own this by show now."

Tlie delegates went on to the powerhouse, and there met the battery superintendent, Mr. Noble, who told them they should go back to the office, and if he could find Mr. Grace he would tell him they were waiting for him. They accordingly went to the office, and McLennan entered, Parry and Richards remaining on the verandah.

AVhile making inquiries in the office, McLennan saw a mob of scabs coming jn that direction. AA 7 hen they reached Parry, the scabs started to threaten him and told him to get to hell off the E remises, declaring that they were the osses there now. They approached Parry with threatening gestures, and McLennan rushed out to assist him. Parry and Richards were shoved and jostled out towards the main road. McLennan protested, and one of the scabs immediately caught him by the elbow and wrist and twisted his arm. McLennan told him if he didn't let go he would strike: him. The scab only increased the strain, and kept pushing McLennan back. The latter then struck his assailant in the face, and then three or four of the scabs struck at him and shoved him down against the wall of the office. When McLennan arose they caught him by the shoulders and started "putting the knee into him," and shoved him out on the road, where the other two union officials had been jostled.

It is remarked that although the union officials had traversed the whole of the 'mine property unsuccessfully searching for Mr. Grace, im-tediately the attack was made that gentleman appeared. He asked what was the matter, and when told declared that he "didn't know anything about it," and concluded by asking them what tbey wanted.

It is to be noted that the scabs who assaulted the three unionists assembled from all over the mine property, leaving their work to make the attack, some coming a distance of fully half a mile. Although, the two police constables previously referred to must have seen the scabs gathering and following, and must have been aware of the attack they were wholly conspicuous by their absence. One of the shift bosses also viewed the attack.

It might be added that, when t_e unionists were employed, any such desertion of work would have been promptly followed by the "sack." It would appear as if violence is now openly approved) by the mine-owners, if the said violence is directed by scabs against unionists.—-H.E.H.