THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 285, 29 May 1912, Page 5

THE WAIHI STRIKE.

THE STRIKERS OBDURATE. FEDERATION INTERVENTION USELESS. By Telegraph—Press Association. . Waihi, Midnight. A delegation from the Federation of Labor, including Messrs. Parry and Armstrong, was received to-night by representatives of the Engine-drivers' Union. Mr. Semple appealed to them, as reasonable men, to consider the advisability of returning to the Miners' Union for the sake of industrial peace. The reply was that the new union would not be broken up. The Federation delegates then withdrew, Mr. Semple concluding with the cryptic remark, "We will be with you in the end." The conference lasted about live minutes.

Later, a mass meeting was held at the Theatre. about 800 being present. Mr. J. McLennan, vice-president of the Waihi Miners' Union, briefly introduced tlie visiting delegates from the Federation. Mr. Semple stated! that they had interviewed the engine-drivers and had got no satisfaction from them. He said he would endeavor to get an interview with the local mine managers in the morning, with the object of solving the problem. Asked) as to what attitude he would take in the event of the managers refusing a conference, he said that he could not at that stage say what his attitude would be. The speaker then outlined! what he had done in Australia, when he had got an undertaking from the Victorian and New South Wales miners that in the event of the Federation being involved in an industrial upheaval they would not get coal for New ZealahSl, and there would be no intercolonial "scal)bery." He read the agreement to the meeting. Referring to the present trouble, he said' that as far as they could see tliey would confine the trouble to Waihi. The text of the wire sent by the Federation Executive to Parry ro the strike was read, to the effect that Parry had the authority of the executive of the Federation to strike, providing that all other means failed. In answer to a question it was explained that the proviso had, by inadvertence, not being read in the earlier stages to the meetings of the miners. The result of the conference with the managers would be reported to 'the Federation before it would be announced to the (union. He said that if an agreement was made it would be observed so long as the principles of the Federation were not violated. Should that occur the Federation would have no compunction in breaking it. He stated that the Timlaru Waterside Workers had announced their intention of giving financial support to the Waihi Union. 'A motion endorsing the attitude of' the Federation was carried.

In regard to the application by the mining companies for protection, it was stated that opposition would he given to the application for six months' protection of the mines and their subsidiary rights. As a result of a question Mr. Parry denied that the Federation had censured him in reference to his attitude in calling a strike. He asked members to have implicit confidence in him. No immediate arangemerit has) been made with the Mine Owners' Association for a conference.