WAIHI AND HUNTLY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 72, 18 November 1912, Page 2

WAIHI AND HUNTLY.

THE POSITION AT HUNTLY. (Per Press Association.) Auckland, November 17. The Star’s Huntly correspondent telegraphs that a statement is made, apparently from a good source, that the miners will strike on Monday. If the members of the new union go to work they will. be given notice to get out of the town. t • FUNERAL OF EVANS. The funeral of Evans, who-died as a result of the War hi trouble, took place this afternoon, and was one of the largest seen in Auckland, many hundred workers paying a silent tribute to'the deceased. FEDERATION IST, STATEMENTS. Waihi, November 17. About 250 men, women and children have left Waihi since yesterday. The new union states emphatically that the strikers or their wives are not being interfered with in any way. Members of the new union at the railway station this morning endeavoured to induce the women to return, but the Federation wire seemed to have got on their nerves, and they left. It appears that the woman who received the wire was instructed to get all the women supporters to leave at once, and to frighten any waverers into leaving, which is slightly different from the account, sent this morning. The Mayor of Waihi has issued a manifesto as follows:—“The reports as to the intended action of the Arbitration Union in dealing with the strikers and their families are entirely without foundation. Every precaution is being taken by the union executive to preserve law and order, and anything of a contrary nature is to be sternly repressed.” The men and women are not being hunted out of town. The strikers are perfectly safe. Most false and alarming statements are being made by Federationists who have already left for the purpose of enlisting sympathy. The public throughout the Dominion are advised to give no credence thereto. Strangers coming into the town are be-* ing scrutinised. Certain men arrived here who could give no satisfactory account of themselves, and were urged to go back, as they were Federation spies. This course, it is said, will be continued by the union, as their presence here would only lead to trouble. POLICE FOR HUNTLY. Wanganui, November 17. Four police, making thirteen from the district, left for Huntly on Saturday by special train from Wellington. Wellington, November 17. Thirteen police constables, with Sergeant Kelly in charge, left Wellington by special train at 9 o’clock this morning for Huntly, where it is reported that the Federationists are endeavouring to drive the Arbitrationists from the town. UNION’S LEGAL POSITION. .t , ; ALLEGED' ILLEGAL ACT. Wellington, November 18. Mr Oregan, legal adviser to the Federation of Labour, has furnished an opinion that the Waihi Miners’ Union is a trade union duly registered and is the lawful owner of certain land and buildings with contents at Waihi. The buildings have been broken into by certain persons who continue in possession, and Mr Oregan regards the civil position as beyond controversy. Even if the forcible entry was effected with the approval of the police, that does not divest an illegal act of its illegality. The Union has its civil, memedy, which can be enforced in due course. Mr Oregan further considers the seizure and publication of private documents to be factors in' determining the question of damages.