THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 303, 19 June 1912, Page 5

THE WAIHI STRIKE.

| AN ABORTIVE CONFERENCE. A FIGHT TO THE END. By Telegraph—Press Association. Waihi, Last Night. The conference between delegates of the Gold-mine Owners' Association and the Federation of Labor commenced here this afternoon. The former were represented by Messrs. C. Rhodes (chairman), H. P. Barry (Waihi), W. Evens (Reefton), D. McArthur (Grand Junction), H. H. Adams (Auckland), H. Stamsfield and J. McCombie (Karangahake), and J. Pryor (secretary). The Federation representatives were Messrs. P. C. Webb (president), R. Semple (organiser), W. E. Parry (vice-president), P. Fraser (Auckland General Laborers), and G. K. Crowley (president of the Inangahua Miners' Union). Tn opening the proceedings the chairman said that they had met in accordance with the request of the Federation of Labor, and the Mine-owners' Association were prepared to hour what -the Federation hadf to say. In answer to Mr. Semple. the chairman said that it was the wish of the mine-owners that the press should be

present. Mr. Semple and his colleagues took strong exception to the presence of reporters. The frequent misrepresentation of press reports, they said, more particularly at such meetings as the present one, would lead to further misunderstandings, and create greater antagonism amongst all parties concerned and the public generally. After further discussion, Mr. Semple saidl that rather than the conference should end at that stage his colleagues would waive the point. In reply to Mr. Semple, Mr. Rhode* made it clear that whatever agreement between the delegates of the Federation and the Association he represented was arrived at. it would have to be a binding one, and that at present he saw no other way to effect this than through the medium of the Arbitration Court. If the Federation delegates could find a way that would be equally binding, then they would be glad to consider it. | Mr. Semple: "If we cannot submit to you sonic proposal equally binding as the Arbitration Court, I am to take it that you people are going to insist on an agreement being endorsed by the Court?" Mr. Rhodes: "It has got to be that or equally good!; we know of no other way, but it has got to be some solid way. Y don't know that I can make it clearer." I

Mr. Scrapie said that it was a very, important point, and he would ask the delegates to explain their reasons for deviating from the present system, which he maintained had worked so well. Mr. Rhodes said that Mr. Semple should surely know that there was only one reason, and that was that the present agreement <lid not bind anybody. The Federation delegates then retired, and on their return Mr. Semple said that as far as they were concerned they were not going to be parties to arbitration, and proceeded to make a very long explanation. Mr. Rhod'es reiterated the condition ■ that the only binding agreement, as far ; as could be seen, would be under the Arbitration Act. ]

j Mr. Semnle and Mr. Parry said that the officials of the, Waihi Company had cognisance of the formation of the Engine-drivers' Union, and had had some | hand in its formation. It was clearly their duty to prevent the formation of a union in face of the existing agreement. He contended that the local companies had broken the agreement in spirit, and were responsible for the present trouble. The union had kept their compact in every way. He further contended that the Waihi Company had aided and abetted the formation of a new union. Mr. Rhodes, replying, said that the company had neither aided nor abetted in the formation of the Engine-drivers' Union. The sworn evidence of Mr. Barry, superintendent of the Waihi Company, and Mr. McArthur, attorney for the Grand Junction Company, showed that they hiid no knowledge even that a union was being formed until the strike had been declared; and, further, that no complaint about the union being formed had been made to the officials of the company. During the discussion it was pointed out that the representatives of the Federation had declared that they did not respect agreements, and that they could bo thrown aside. Hickey's name was mentioned in this connection. Mr. Semple Teplied that such ideas were not entertained by the Federation.: Mr, Hickey had not been an official of the Federation for the past three years. His organisation could not be held responsible for the utterances of individuals. Referring again to the Enginedrivers' Union, Mr. Semple said that the union was in a minority, and that it tried to coerce a majority. He concluded that as far as they were concerned they ! were not going to deviate one inch, and were not going to be parties to an agreement such as proposed! by the other | side. In anticipation of their not finding J a way of making an agreement binding,< ns required by his Association, he would submit the following, as agreed by his Association: "In respect to any agreement that it be a condition precedent to any negotiations for a settlement of any existing differences between the members of the Goldmine Owners' Assoication and of their employees, that any organisation of workers with whom an agreement is proposed! shall be the body •registered under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act."

The matter of the Reefton dispute was discussed at some length. Mr. Crowley intimated that as regards agreements hound only by respective signatures they would rather take the risk than have ,such agreements registered under the Arbitration Act. In answer to Mr. Pryor, Mr. Evans saidf that in South Africa, Mexico, the United States. Canada and at the Otira tunnel (New Zealand) the popper drills were worked by one man. The two-men drill weighed 4901b, and the weight drill 721b. Mr. Semple alleged that the popper drills were not used in Australia. He contended that the weight of a drill had nothing to do with it. They were concerned with the health and lives of the workers. Mr. Webb said that it was no use wasting further time. It was quite clear that the mine-owners had no intention 'of entering upon an agreement other than one binding them down as slaves. He regretted that nothing had been done, and would bid them good-by. The chairman said he wished to deny a statement by Mr. Parry that popper drills were not used single-handed in Waihi. He had a statement to the contrary. Mr. Semple said that he had come there thinking something would be done. The gauntlet, however, hadi been thrown down, and though they had the press and all sections outside of the working class against them, yet they had sufficient confidence in the workers of the country and of Australia. They wouldi make a bitter fight and to the end, with ,the gloves off. They were not as weak as many thought. The gloves were now off, and it would be a fight with bare knuckles. Mr. Rhodes: "All right, sir; we'll leave I it at that." ' This ended the conference.