THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 281, 24 May 1912, Page 5

THE WAIHI STRIKE.

NO FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Waihi, Thursday. The town is again quiet. Last night another roll call was made. There has been a falling off in the departures from the town during the past few days. The indiscriminate sale of revolvers has been stopped by local ironmongers. The secretary of the Engine-drivers' Union stated this morning that no remittance had yet been received by him. He pointed out that his union had made no appeal, for funds to the public. The Grand Junction Gold Company's pay takes place to-night, and this practically dispenses of the principal pays.

THE CASE FOR THE STRIKERS. AN OFFICIAL MANIFESTO. Wellington, Last Night. The Strike Committee has issued a manifesto in reply to the manifesto of the engine-drivers. Summarised, it states:—(l) In two previous attempts to form a union the engine-drivers publicly announced the fact, but on this octasion anonymous letters had been sent to several engine-drivers, asking them to attend and bring a friend The Miners' Union objected to the new union because, if it were registered, it would bring under the arbitration award more engine-drivers and firemen who are members of the Miners' Union than are comprised in the new organisation.(2) Ballots for the cancellation of the Miners' Union's registration were conducted on lines best calculated to conform with the Arbitration Act. The result was an overwhelming majority in favor of cancellation, after every member of the mines and batteries had been given an opportunity to record a vote. (3) The matter of cancellation was first brought before the Miners' Union Committee by an engine-driver. A communication was forwarded to the Federation's solicitor, urging him to watch developments in the House, owing to rumors that attempts were being made to reduce the status of engine-drivers' certificates. So far no attempt had been made to bring this matter before the House. (4) It is true that three years ago some drivers obtained a small increase of wages, bringing them up to 10s 6d per shift, an increase of Gd over the award. Since last July, however, all winding engines, with the exception of the small winch, had been considered uniform, insuring an lis shift. This further increase was obtained by the Miners' Union. The arbitration award did not exceed 10s. (5) A noteworthy fact was that the leading spirits in the new union could not pass the eyesight test. All engine-drivers ex* amined by the Mines Commission favored a medical examination of drivers. Thirtytwo lives are in the hands of drivers at one time, and it is essential that proper precautions should be adopted. The talk of drivers conforming to the law does not conceal the fact that they would "scab" on fellow workers out on strike. Prominent members of the Drivers' Union informed an official of the Miners' Union that "The company is behind *b, and if it is necessary to keep the pumps going we will do so;" also that "in the event of trouble the company will stick to the drivers and grant them preference." (7) The resolution of the Miners' Union that its members would not be lowered by drivers in the dispute was forwarded to the drivers' secretary, but not acknowledged. A deputation was then sent to talk the matter over, but was refused admittance. The drivers complained of coereion, yet formed a union obviously at the companies' dictates, in order to revise Judge Sims' coercive remark: "Sell your labor at a certain price and refuse, and you are law-breakers." If the drivers were successful they would force a majority of drivers and firemen who were bitterly opposed to arbitration under their award. (!) & 10) The drivers' manifestos are charactmsed- as puerile and irrelevant statements. One manifesto states also that the organiser of the Federated Drivers of New Zealand visited Waihi recently, with the intention of organising the local drivers, but learning of the tactics adopted by them he decided to have nothing to do with them.