INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 53, 26 October 1912, Page 8

INDUSTRIAL UNREST.

THE DISPUTE AT HUNTLY. (Per Press Association.) Auckland, October 25. Messrs Webb and Semple, representing the executive of the Federation, arrived in Huntly this morning, and were met by a crowd at the railway station. Mr Semple, in a speech, admitted the extreme gravity of the situation generally, but hoped an honourable settlement would be arrived at. In the meantime the Federation was being unjustly assailed by the employers and workers, and an action for heavy damages for libel was being taken against the Federation by those concerned in the efforts to form scab unions. The seriousness of the position was the excuse for the Federatin’! executive not having met the men sooner, but he assured them they Fad no fear of meeting them. He and Mr Webb would meet the miners’ executive in conference to-day, and a report of their deliberations would be given to a meeting to-morrow. He felt sure the men would admit an honest endeavour was being made to settle the trouble in an honourable way. At the conclusion of Ins speech Mr Semple was cheered. It is reported from Huntlv that the probable residt of the conh-renco of the Federation with' the Miners’ I nion executive will be that the Vaupiri Coni Company will be asked to reinstate the dismissed executive and resume work on the footing previously existing. Fail'ng this the union will call out the engine drivers and declare a state of strike at Huntly, at the same time calling out the coal minors throughout the Dominion. The Star reporter on the spot expresses the opinion that less <liastir proposals will be made. TROUBLE ON THE MAORI. Wellington, October 25. The articles of the crew of the steamer Maori expired to-day by efflnx’on of time. When the men signed off and were invited to sign on again, they demanded two days’ pay. one for to-day as being the concluding day of the terminated contract and one for to-day as being the first of the now contract. The Union Company were compelled to yield to the demand to enable the Maori to run to her time-table. It appears that p 1 evious to 1911 the Shipping and Seamens Act provided for two days' pay under such circumstances, but the amendment passed in 1911 provides for only one day’s pay.