THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 27, 29 May 1912, Page 5

THE WAIHI STRIKE.

THE STRIKERS OBDURATE. tl'or Press Association ) Waihi, May 23. A delegation from the Federation of Labour, including Messrs. Semple, Parry, and Armstrong, was received to-night by representatives of the En-gine-drivers' Union. Mr. Semple appealed to them, as reasonable men, to consider the advisability of returning to the Miners' Union for the sake of industrial peace. The reply was that the new union would not be broken up. The Federation delegates then withdrew, Mr. Semple concluding with the cryptic remark, "We will be with you in the end." The conference lasted about five minutes. Later, a mass meeting was held at the Theatre, about 800 being present. Mr. J. McLennan, vice-president of the Waihi Miners' Union, briefly introduced the visiting delegates from the Federation.

Mr. Semple stated that they had interviewed the engine-drivers, and had got no satisfaction from them. He said he would endeavour to get an interview with the local mine managers in the morning, with the object of solving the problem. Asked as to what attitude he would take in the event of the managers refusing a conference, he said that he could not at that stage say what his attitude would he. The speaker then outlined what be had done in Australia when be had got p.iundertaking from the Victorian and New South Wales miners that in the event of the Federation being involved in an industrial upheaval they would not get coal for New Zealand, and there would be no intercolonial "scabbery." He read the agreement to the meeting. Referring to the present trouble, he said that as far as they could see they would confine the trouble to Waihi. the text of the wire sent by the Federation Executive t r . Parry re the strike was read, to the effect that Parry had the authority of the executive of the Federation t< strko, providing that all other means failed. In answer to a question it was vr plained* that the proviso had, by inadvertence, not being read in the earlier stages to the meetings of the miners. The result of the conference with the managers would be reported to the Federation before it would be announced to the union. He .sa'd that if an agreement was made, r it would be observed so lon'.; as the principles of tho Federation were cot vio> lated. Should that occur the Federation would have no compunction in breaking it. He stated that the Timaru Waterside Workers had announced their intention of giving financial support to the Waihi Union. A motion endorsing the attitude ol the Federal ion was carried.

In regard to the application by the mining companies for protection, it was stated that opposition would be given to the application for six months' protection of the mines and their subsidiary rights. As a result of a question, Mr. Parry denied that the Federation had censured him in reference to his attitude in calling a strike. He asked members to have "implicit confidence in him. No immediate arrangement has been made with the Mine Owners' Association for a conference.