STRIKE AT WAIHI

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 276, 18 May 1912, Page 5

STRIKE AT WAIHI

CASH RETALIATION. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Friday. The Wholesale Merchants' Association passed a resolution urging strongly on traders in the districts affected by the strike the wisdom of insisting on receiving cash before delivery during the progress of the strike. The association also resolved that owing to the conditions existing at Waihi, Waikino, and the surrounding districts, no orders for those places will be supplied by members of this association unless accompanied by cash for the full amount. A DISGRACEFUL CONFLICT. Wailii, Friday. The position of affairs is unaltered. The strike committee has made a statement regarding the coal incident to the effect that the borough engineer explained that he had bought on behalf of the Borough Council sixty odd tons of coal from the Grand Junction Company, which had been refused transit, by the strike committee. Tie stated that the supply of coal for the gas works was on the road. The strike committee was of opinion that the coal purchased from the Junction Mine was not wanted for the 'hospital, as it was slack and unusable for fireplaces. The borough had sufficient coal to meet all hospital requirements. The Mayor was informed that the strike committee would see to the requirements of the sick in the hospital, which would be considered by-'their committee. The statement was made that the hospital authorities were retaliating for the nondelivery of the coal l'v refusing the admittance of a striker'; child to the hospital. STRIKERS' SPORTS. FIDDLING WHILE ROME BURNS. Waihi. Last Night. The Waihi Band and members of the Fire Brigade (in fancy costume) are attending the strikers' sports meeting, a gathering numbering over 1000. Mr. Scott Bennett, the Socialist lecturer, is expected here this afternoon, to address the crowd. At 11.30 a.m. a monster procession was formed in the main street and marched to the Recreation Ground. The crowd was perfectly orderly and for the most part did not appear to realise the gravity of the situation. The day had rather the appearance of a big holidaymaking under prosperous conditions. Mr. Donaldson, on behalf of the Hospital Board, will proceed to Wellington to-night to ask the Government for assistance for the institution if the strike continues. A great number of children remained away from the public schools to attend with their parents tho sports meeting. The few attending school were given a half-holiday. MINISTERIAL INTERVENTION . Wellington, Last Night. The Minister of Labor, the Hon. C. Laurenson, stated to-night that telegraphic communications were passing between him and the officers of the proposed Engine drivers' Union at Wnilii. but he was. for the time being, unable to make anything public in respect to the question dealt with.