THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 91, 3 September 1912, Page 5

THE WAIHI STRIKE.

EXAGGERATED STORIES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Waihi, Monday. Several wild stories had been in circulation in regard to the position at Waiikino, where the Waihi Company is taking on men. Rumours of disturbances and shooting have been raised in Waihi, hut investigation shows they are groundless. On Saturday one man was harassed by the strikers, but the police came to his assistance and the crowd dispersed, after being warned. The railway line and stations are being picketed by the strikers, but so far no disturbance has occurred. AN APPEAL FOR FUNDS. V Wellington, Last Night. At a meeting to-day of the Council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce a communication dealing with the condition of affairs at Waihi came up for consideration. The secretary of the Waihi Drivers' Defence Fund, Auckland, wrote asking for tlie support of the public for members of the Waihi Drivers' Union during the time of the strike. The appeal, after setting out the facts of the case, enclosed a form guaranteeing so much for so long for the support of the wives and children of the sufferers. It was asked that the appeal should be circulated amongst the members of the Chamber. The chairman (Mr. Mabin) said that their sympathies were with the men. Mr. Jones said that he considered the endorsement of the appeal was a highly political action, which aimed at smashing the Federation of Labor. He thought they, as a Chamber, should not take any such action. Mr. I'allinger held that the Chamber should uphold the union. They were lighting what was an illegal action, to prevent men from working, and he thought it was their duty to help these men. It was decided that a list of members of the Chamber should he supplied to the applicants, so that a direct appeal could be made.