THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 99, 12 September 1912, Page 5

THE WAIHI STRIKE.

COAL FOR THE MINE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, Wednesday. The Star is authorised to say that it is understood arrangements have beet) entered into between the New Zealand Coal Mine Owners' and the Xew Zealand Cold Mine Owners' Associations, providing that the Waihi companies shall he supplied wth all the coal they require, no matter what action the Federation of Labor may take.

CHARGES AGAINST STRIKERS. Waihi, Wednesday An extraordinary amount of interest is being taken in the police cases against strikers to-day. The charges, numbering seventy, are for following up engine-drivers and arbitrationists, threatening behaviour, insulting and obscene language and applications for sureties to keep the peace. No fewer than fifty strikers have been charged, including Mr. Parry, President of the Miners' Union, and Mr. McLennan, vice-president. About 1000 people base, gathered in the vicinity of the eoLirlhouse where Me Warden's Court is boiug held this mom ing, and it is likely the strikers' cases will not come on till after the midday adjournment. Yesterday afternoo-i the strikers' wives took an active part in affairs at Waikino. About twenty paraded the main thoroughfare in liie township with a placard attached to the front part of their garments upon which was inscribed in bold lettering, "Done be traitors to your cause."

Waihi, List Night.

In the strike cases to-day, evidence for the prosecution showed that the systematic following ii]< of Engine-driver Shcard caused him serious annoyance. Counsel for defendants contended that no'breach of the peace had occurred, and that with the exception of two men, Zenovetch and Kemp, who it was alleged had behaved threateningly, the strikers were quiet and orderly; also that defendants were not more prominent in the affair than the general crowd. The Magistrate said that the question was. what was the object of the follow-ing-up practices? Cmnsel said that he supposed this was to .show that these men are marked hum). In most cases this attitude was adopted in conciliation in order to convert them to their side. The Magistrate said: "Is that the way to conciliate a man—to follow him up. call him a scab, and threaten to smash him up?" Proceeding, he said that it seemed marvellous to him how men who were subjected to such treatment had kept their self control. The further hearing was adjourned till to-morrow morning. The Commissioner of Police has given it out that it was obvious that the most critical stage of the strike had been reached, and it was clearly understood tli.it the police would remain at Waihi till the end of the strike; also that the police will protect every man wishing In work, irrespective of whether he is an arbilrafionist or a federationisfc. Further, that the Government is determined tn maintain law and order.