THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 312, 29 June 1912, Page 5

THE WAIHI STRIKE.

o> A DRAMATIC MEETING. PLEA FOR SETTLEMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association, Waihi, Last Night. Mr. Joseph Foster addressed a public meeting this evening, his subject being the trouble in Waihi and the statements made by the leaders of the Federation and pointing to a way for the solution of the dispute. There was an attendance of about 800. At the outset it was evident that preconcerted action had been determined upon by a very large section of the meeting to break up the proceedings. The appearance on the platform of Mr. Wallnutt (chairman) and Mr. Foster was greeted with an outburst of "800-hoos," and some minutes elapsed before the chairman could make himself heard. After several attempts the ehairbriefly introduced Mr. Foster and stated the object of the meeting. The vice-president of the union asked if a union member could take the platform to reply to Mr. Foster. The chairman intimated that questions could be asked, but the platform could not he occupied by members from the audience. ■ «•' »'■ '''''s ] I

The reply acted almost magically. Immediately a great exodus occurred, and in a few minutes the large building was more than half emptied, a number of women making their exit with the men. This gave the impression that the majority of the miners are not yet seeking a settlement of the dispute. Mr. Foster then proceeded with his address, pointing out that he and many others had suffered as a result of the ill-advised action of one man in causing n cessation of mining operations. The Labor Federation delegates had visited the district and informed the strikers that they would bring about a satisfactory solution, hut their attempt to do so had proved abortive. They had met the mine owners' representatives' in conference, but could point to no way to a binding agreement, and had then left the j district and the people to face the posiI tion, leaving behind a hazy assurance that all would be well in the end if the dispute was left in the hands of the federation executive. It had been clearly shown that the federation could not solve the problem, and it was for the right-thinking members of the Waihi Union to insist on steps towards a settlement by demanding a ballot of members on the question of cutting away from the federation and adopting legal methods with a view to a solution. This could he done by appointing, say, four or five of their members to confer with the mine owners' and drawing up an agreement which could then be ratified bv the Arbitration Court. The federation in its dying struggle, had fallen hack on that iniquitous organisation known as the Independent Workers' World, which advocated destructive methods in coping with disputes.