WORK AND WARES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 313, 1 July 1912, Page 5

WORK AND WARES

THE REEFTON STRIKE. By Telegraph—Press Association-. Reefton, Saturday. Further developments regarding the working of the Energetic mine have occurred. Shift bosses working 1 in the Energetic mine, as wired last night, were )met this morning by a refusal of the | engine-drivers to lower them. The shift j bosses were working the popper or >waugh-drill single-handed. Stormy scenes occurred at the mouth of the mine. The engine-drivers, however, were firm, and the shift bosses, etc., had to return, without working. There was a meeting of engine-drivers last night. Only engine-drivers on the Energetic mine have struck. The engine-drivers here are in a peculiar position." Some are members of the Engine-drivers' Association and the Miners' Union, while others belong to one or the other body.

STRIKE AT KAITANGATA. Dunedin, Saturday. A deadlock somewhat akin to that at Waihi is threatened among the Kaitangata coal miners, whose award expires to-morrow. There is a split in the camp, which is divided into three sections, described as arbitrationists, federalists, and railsitters. Each of the first two claim a majority, and each has prepared a schedule of demands. The arbitrationists have submitted their reference to the owners, asking for a shilling a day increase. The federalists have not approached the owners, and want a iittle more. It is expected that the third party will support the union which gains the best terms. The owners have to decide which union they will recognise. The miners say there is no necessity for a strike. Meanwhile Dunedin folk, with 1 characteristic caution, are layiing in stocks of Kaitangata coal. UNEMPLOYED IN TIMARU. Timaru, Last Night. There is some complaint of a shortage of employment here for unskilled men. The president of the Trades and Labor Council waited on the Harbor Board and asked them to put as much work in hand as possible this winter. The board r>eplie<} that it was sorry that it had nothing for the men to do. THE REEFTON STRIKE. Reefton, Last Night. A large mass meeting of miners was held to-day, not open to the press. It is understood that the meeting appreciated the action of the engine-drivers at the Energetic mine, and discussed the financial position. A good number from Blackwater were present. SYMPATHY WITH STRIKERS. Westport, Last Night. The Buller council of the Federation of Labor made the following resolution at its quarterly meeting on Saturday:— "That this council, representing the unions affiliated in the Buller district, heartily endorses the action of the executive of the federation relative to the Waihi strike and the Reefton lockout, and hereby pledges its various organisations to support morally and financially any action that may be deemed necessary to help the working class to victory; further, we, on behalf of your organisations, assure our comrades in the fight of our most sincere fellowship in their fight for humane conditions." It is authoritatively stated that the feeling of the miners in this district is very favorable to a general strike in sympathy with Waihi and Reefton, and that the leaders are experiencing some difficulty in keeping the strike spirit in check.