STRIKE AT WAIHI.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 15, 15 May 1912, Page 5

STRIKE AT WAIHI.

A SERIOUS POSITION

(Per Press Association.) Waihi, May 14

Yesterday the air was thick with rumours anent impending trouble between the Miners’ Union and the local mining companies over the severance of the engine-drivers from the lire on and the formation of a separate union under the Arbitration Act. The Miners’ Union unsuccessfully attempted to induce the engine-drivers to disband the new union. The result was that at I o’clock yesterday afternoon the shift did not go to work. The miners held a meeting last night, and resolved not to return to work till the engine-drivers rejoin the Miners’ Union. Practically all work ceased at the mines and batteries. This morning the horses have been brought to the surface. The strike will affect about two thousand men, and 300 of their dependents. The Borough revenue depends almost entirely on the duty on gold, and this will cease during the strike. The gasworks, sanitary service, hospital, waterworks, and Borough matters generally depend entirely upon tin's revenue. The mine pumps will he stopped this morning, and this will add to the seriousness of the position. So far as can ho ascertained both sides are firm.

I THE COMPANY’S ATTITUDE. Auckland, May 14. Mr. Rhodes, the Waihi Company’s mining representative, and Mr. Barry, mine superintendent, interviewed, said that the trouble was between (lie Miners’ Union and the engine-driv-ers,' not with the companies. The Minors’ Union declined to work unless the companies insisted on the engineers joining the Miners’ Union, which was not within the powers of the companies. Even if the miners were prepared to resume work' now, the companies could do nothing, as the whole question had been submitted to the New Zealand Gobi Miners’ Association. The position applied equally to all gold mines in the Dominion.