CIVIL WAR AT WAIHI.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 68, 13 November 1912, Page 5

CIVIL WAR AT WAIHI.

FLYING FEDERATIONISTS

(Per Press Association.)

Waihi, November 12. Tho Federationists were chased by tire workers whenever they appeared. On one occasion a Federatiomst was suddenly espied, and in a moment the crowd rushed him. The police, seeing me move, rushed to intercept them, fwo or three constables seized the man and ran him. up the street to get him away from the crowd. After taking him a snort way they let him go, but he was no sooner by himself than the crowd gave chase. The police also ran, with tho object of protecting him. Ac Wynyard’s corner he was caught, roughly handled, and sent sprawling to the ground. The police again surroundad him and pushed the crowd hack, and ultimately got him into a butcher’s simp. The crowd yelled, and attempted to push their way in, where the unfortunate man lay huddled on the uoor. There" were about twenty police on the scene. They prevented any of the crowd entering, and partially succeeded in clearing them. The man was then escorted into Rosemont Road. The crowd attempted to follow, but were prevented by the police. Tho man was eventually set free, and started off at a run. The crowd again attempted to get past the police, mt were stopped in the street. About twenty Federationists were included. It then looked as if the man would .rave got clear, but suddenly a worker, fleet of foot, slipped past the police, and then a great race ensued. The Fedorationist fled for his life, while the worker, followed closely by the police, pursued him. One of the constables outstripped his fellow men, and gradually lessened the distance between himself and the worker. The latter had got within a few yards of the Fedorationist when the constable overtook and grabbed him. The Fedeiationist then got clear away. Just after this incident a local bootmaker, a pronounced “red-ragger,” received the attention of the same worker. The latter rushed at him, teLing aim to “clear out.” Before the police could prevent it, the man was hit and knocked down. The police got round aim, and while he was on the ground searched him, but found no weapons other than a heavy file. He was then escorted to safety by the police.

It is reported that tho Federationist who fired the revolver this morning, luckily without injury, took to Ids deals as soon as he had fired the shot, md had since eluded discovery. “The Safest Place in Town.”

In the early part of the riot a prominent Federationist and the husband of a leading “scarlet runner,” appealed to the police for protection, as he felt himself in danger from the Arbitrationists. The police hardly knew what to do with him, but he solved tho j difficulty by suggesting that they take him to the lock-up as being the safest place in the town in the exciting state of affairs. The police fell in with the suggestion, and ho was accordingly taken to the station. Revolvers were taken from several Federationist pickets during the forenoon. . >, Bands of workers, ranging from IUJ to 200, have been roving the outskirts of the town. Hearing that some women were being insulted, a band of workers made for the locality. They caught one Federationist, and before the police arrived on the scene they gave him a rough handling. The mounted constables keeping watch on the workers hunted them off, and placed a temporary guard over the home of the Federationist. Kennedy’s Departure.

Mr. Kennedy, acting-president of the Waihi Miners’ Union, took a hurried departure from Waihi. He was rather badly handled by a hostile crowd at the station, and hears marks of the hands that were laid upon him. Ho told, a constable that the strike was off. Mr. Kennedy, before leaving his house on Martha Hill, asked the police for protection while en route to the railway station. Two constables escorted him down to Moresby Avenue, where a number of workers rushed towards him, and Kennedy told his escort that he would go no further till more police arrived. Kennedy then went into a friend’s house, and waited there till the arrival of mounted and foot police reinforcements, an escort numbering about a dozen. When they got to Devon Street the crowd broke through the police guard and severely knocked Kennedy about. At this moment a passing vehicle was brought inbo requisition, and Kennedy was put into it and driven to the railway station

Notice to Quit. Waikino is said to be clear of Feeler ationists. Many departures took place to-da.f. Several of the homes of die Federationists who have been conspicuous in calling out “Scab” and other epithets to the workers and their womenfolk have been visited. The inmates were told that they would lave forty-eigjit hours to leave the town, or must take the consequences [n one instance a Federationist replied that he would be carried to the cemetery before ho would clear out.

Meeting of New Union. The members of the new union held i mass meeting in the Onion Hall Buildings, which were packed. Mr. lucid, president pro tem., addressed die meeting. Ho explained that in view of the fact that they had among diem a number of financial members ,f the Federation Union, they had a perfect right to the use of the hall. He went on to say that they bad put ip with insults to themselves and their i-ives and families long enough at the lands of the “red-ruggers,” ar.d that certain of these individuals should bo Iriven out of the town. It was unanimously decided that these men, of which a list had been n-epared, and read to the meeting, would be given forty-eight hours’ notice to clear out of the town or take die consequences. Several prominent members of the tow union gave short addresses, applause and cheers greeting ca h at, tne •onclusion of their remarks. One peaker emphasised the fact that the mil had been built for the workers and niners, and that they hoped in a very short time that the now union would bo in legal possession of the building Votes of thanks were accorded to he Government for sending police to vVaihi, and to the police for their tonTho proceedings terminated with the singing of “God Save the King.” A number of Federationists. inducing a dozen women, left Waihi by the ifternoon train, and a few more left iv a later train. To-night a ’bus load, ontaining two red Federationist fain lies, left for Piieroa, and a cab with lie wife and children of a prominent federationist drove away to Paeron. Another Federationist, in bis eagerness to leave the town, hurriedly sold is furniture, the whole lot being purbased by a secondhand dealer lor £2.

Constable Wadh. By the aid of X-rays the bullet Ims been located in Constable Wade s bodv. It entered slightly to one side, of the middle of the abdomen, and

passed round to the right side for about eight inches, where it Judged. It has not vet been extracted, but serious results are anticipated. Evans is suffering from concession of the brain. Ho is unconscious, and his condition is very critical. A number of applications from “rod ruggers” for protection have been received by the police. The Mana of Federation.

Officials of the Auckland Brewery Employees’ Union state that the result of tlie recent ballot—which decided, by a majority of 34 votes, the secession of the union from the Federation of Labour—Was largely influenced by the despotic actions of the Federation leaders, and the irksome levies to which the members of the union have been subjected (states the Auckland ‘Herald’ )■ The Waihi strike levy was the first bone of contention, and after pjying £7 Is towards that levy, the members of the Brewery Union demined to contribute further, and have not done so. The cost to the union of belonging to the Federation for twelve months has been £63 10s, which is looked upon as an extortionate sum to pay for little or no return. The action of the union in seceding I'ai r. lie Federation does nob necessitate registration under the Arbitration Act, as the original registration under that Act has not been cancelled, and the union is working under an award of the Court which does not expire until next April. The brewery employees having followed the example of the Tramways Union in the revolt from the Federation, that body is in a parlous state so far as Auckland is concerned. The only two unions in Auckland now retaining membership of the Federation are those of the waterside workers and general labourers. Already members of the latter have decided to re-register under the Arbitration Act, and are shortly to discuss the question of final secession. It is also well known that a large section of the waterside workers are impatient to free themselves 'from the bonds of the Federation.

POLICE HAVE A FREE HAND. Auckland, November 13. The Premier (Hon. W. F. Massey) states with regard to the position at Waihi that the Government has the fullest confidence in Inspector Cullen, who has been given an absolutely free hand to do everything possible to maintain law and order.