THE TROUBLE AT WAIHI.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 43, 14 October 1912, Page 2

THE TROUBLE AT WAIHI.

AT THE VARIOUS CENTRES. LYTTELTON. (Per Press Association.) Christchurch, October 13. The watersiders at Lyttelton, whose union is affiliated to the Federation of Labour, held a demonstration this .morning, about 150 out-of 350'taking part. There was* no public interest in the proceedings. The demonstrators 'marched to the gaol,' | where brief .addresses were, delivered.: : They subsequently gathered dn ; fropt of i the )St qr Agjeticy gild carried a resolution ! coiidebilling ■ the Msssey* Cayernriient for its unjust, unirjahilyj j kpd yicious itreatment ofrfihe WMhij Jstyike.'.s,, and Ipledglcl' I themselves jto usfe] evCff- ;effort to, secure the please of thA-im-prisoned"' strikers. '-No labour was available for coaling the Harbour Board’s dr.edge Canterbury, but the dredge hands filled the breach, and work was completed without a hitch. Thb' Union Company’s permanent’-'staff worked, the mails, luggage and cargo on hoard the Maori,‘and little 7 inconvenience was felt. A procession was, •afterwards held in Christchurch. Speeches were made in Latimer Square and Victoria Square. » The steamers Kaipara, Arawa and Maori discharged their cargo by permanent hands, firemen in some cases assisting. Other steamers in port were not worked. Some of 'tlie watersiders expressed their - willingness 'to turn to, but it was stated that this was impossible in view of the decision of the union. TIMARU. Timaru, October 13. About forty watersiders walked in procession with many hundreds looking on and following to a suitable stand for speeches. Two leading members spoke for some time, condemning the Government and the press, the former .for imprisoning the Waihi men, and the latter for fighting against the Federation. Other workers who had re-

fused to take part in the demonstration were taken to task and brought a reply, and a lively .discussion ensued. A petition was signed demanding the release of the Waihi men. No work was interfered with, as no vessel was in port. WESTPORT. Westport, October 13. A mass meeting of miners, watersiders and others was held in Victoria Square this afternoon, and addresses were delivered by Messrs Dow Gray (Millerton), Richards (Waihi), Fagan (Reefton), Semple and others, relative to the mining disputes at Waihi and Reefton. Resolutions were carried protesting against the action of the Government, which was alleged to be assisting the mine-owners in their fight against the miners, and also against the gaoling of the Waihi strikers. The meeting was of a very orderly character. ' WELLINGTON. Wellington, October 13. The Wellington Wharf Labourers’ Union decided yesterday to take a secret ballot next Tuesday and Wednesday as to whether Saturday shall lie observed as a full holiday for the purpose of holding a demonstration of sympathy with the imprisoned Waihi miners. THE ONE-DAY STRIKE. WITH THE PROCESSION. "Roll up in tens of thousands; this is the day and the hour to unite with your fellow workers in protest against the tyrannical authorities in gaoling

men for no other crime than maintaining the right of peaceful picketing, tlnd being loyal to working-class principles. If the procession is interfered with or interrupted, do not disband, but proceed to the gaol and the Do* maim” So read a handbill circulated freely amongst all and sundry in Auckland on Thursday morning, the occasion being the 21 hours’ demonstration called by the Federation of Labour. To call on the workers to turn out in tens of thousands is one thing, to get such an assemblage is another, as the Federation now realises (states the Auckland Star.) Federationists wore red ribbons in their coats and printed badges in their hats, the popular cry being “Shall unionists rot in gaolP” Prior to the procession moving off, women went through the crowd of spectators, offering for sale pieces of ribbon at “a penny per piece for the children of Waihi.”

When the procession was fairly under way it was seen that there were less than 400 people participating, there being 47 ranks, averaging seven deep. All wore the red badge. Two or three women were included, one being an old dame of some 80 years. On Tuesday last the tramwaymen not only unanimously refused to cease work on Thursday, but further decided to cut adrift from the Federation. Every passing tramcar along the line of route was the signal for a loud demonstration. The motormen and conductors were vigorously hooted, and hailed with such approbrious terms as “traitor” and, “scab.” A counter demonstration was started by the following crowd, in which a number of college boys and many older people were conspicuous. As the approach of a car was anticipated by. cries of ‘Traitors!” “Scabs!” etc., interlarded , with many hoots from the processionists, there would arise from the western side of the street and the pavement hearty cheers in favour of the men who had refused to dislocate the tramway service. Half-way up the steep hill a strike of another nature occurred, being no less than a refusal by the two tired horses .attached to the second lorry to drag their load of bulky Federationists an inch further. Thus the whole of the procession (about 80 yards in length) was brought to a halt, and the horses did not budge until some of their human freight was jettisoned. And still many of the red-ribboned men preferred to ride. “There’s no holiday for the horses,” was one of the many, rema;riks< passed by the spectators. i

The march' wap uneventful for • a .time, Ibut; mejinwhile the hand was playing “Let MejLike a Soldier Fall,” d-THe Redj i JlVJiite and Blue,” ; and ipthetr catbhyiajirs calculated to arouse jehthudiasffi. I ' >■ 1 M cqpductor 6n a car was seen wavling \ find cheering ironically, and as :the proces'sidn'came up he ati by one bf jibe ' men on tin- Uutsiderank. A thrall of excitement 1 parsed, through the dnlookers -as blcdli Were exchanged between the two men, but the incident was forcibly ended by the intervention -ofa Some > trafmWay '-inspectors and onlookers who barricaded the against further attack. As fhe prbcessi6iji)ymoved oii r members qpd mondufitfor.SWere ob* served- to Shalte ! hands, dud,o;th e car continuing its ;’journey, them incident ended. ’ ■ ** Ms j The journey.'itlience to ; the’gaol was; irneventfulp'dgd the heat was beginning to make itself;' i!elt. The '-procession straggled on ‘haphazard, without any attempt at regularity. Some of the demonstrators,, in the attempt, to keep as cool as possible, divested themselves of coats and vests. Nearing the gaol gates, the baud, which was also showing signs of feeling the effects of its strenuous efforts, again blared forth, and enlivened proceedings with kbc strains of the Red Federation’s battlesong. Outside the gates a halt was called, and a crowd assembled round the lorry, on which sat the officials who had promoted the demonstration. The appearance of some prisoners at the windows of one of the turrets was the signal for loud cheers. There were no prisoners in the yard, the precaution having been taken to place them out of sight. A half-hearted attempt was made to rush the prison gates by some of the rowdier spirits, hut wiser counsels prevailed, and the demonstration remained outside the prohibited area. Various speakers addressed the crowd, demanding the release of the prisoners, and after more band selections, the procession wended its way towards the Domain, where further speeches wore given. The attendance at the gaol, including spectators, did not exceed 700.