STRIKE AT WAIHI

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 273, 15 May 1912, Page 5

STRIKE AT WAIHI

THE MINE CLOSED DOWN. By Telegraph—Press Association. Waihi, Yesterday Yesterday the air was thick with rumors about the impending trouble batween the Miners' Union and the local mining companies over the. severance of the engine-drivers from the union, and the formation of a separate union under the Arbitration Act. The Miners' Union unsuccessfully attempted to induce the engine-drivers to disband the new union. The result was that at 4 o'clock yesterday the afternoon shift did not go to work. The miners held a meeting last night, and resolved not to return to work till the engine-drivers rejoined the Miners' Union. Practically all work has ceased at the mines and batteries. This morning the horses were brought to the surface. The strike will affect about 2000 men and 3000 of their dependents. The borough/ revenue depends almost entirely on the duty on gold, and this will cease during the strike. The gasworks, sanitary service, hospital, waterworks and borough matters generally depend entirely upon this revenue. The mine pumps wall be stopped this morning, and this will add to the seriousness of the position. So far as can he ascertained, both sides are firm.

THE COMPANY'S ATTITUDE.

Auckland, Yesterday. Mr. Rhodes, the Waihi Company's mining representative, and Mr. Barry, mine superintendent, interviewed, said that the trouble was between the Miners' Union nnd the engine-drivers, not with the companies. Tlie Miners' Union declined to work unless the companies insisted on the engineers joining the Miners' Union, which was not within the powers of the companies. Even if the miners were prepared to resume work now, the companies could do nothing, as the whole question had been submitted to the New Zealand. Gold Miners' Association. The position applied equally to all gold mines in the Dominion.