THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 100, 13 September 1912, Page 5

THE WAIHI STRIKE.

THE EVIDENCE IX THE CASE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Waihi, Last Night. In the strike cases to-dav, under crossexamination, Mr. Parry, president of th-i Miners' Union, said that he contended that a man had a right to speak to any man on the public footpath. The directions given to the pickets were of a varied character. He had not made anv statement to the effect that in other countries the engine-drivers, for their action, would be tarred and feathered. It would be hard to take steps to prevent a repetition of such occurrences as the Hayden and Sheard incidents, or those at Waikino. In the event of members congregating in a large crowd, arguing the point with the police or anybody else, he would call upon them to disband. He had never heard whistles blown to collect a crowd of strikers together. Pickets had been appointed to do certain duties. It was necessary, in the case of strikes, to have, pickets and scouts to get information. It was usual and necessary for the successful conduct of a strike. On September 2 the Strike Committee visited Waikino, and there were a number of other Waihi men there, at the same time, no doubt by accident. Nothing was done by pre-arrangement in the way of lining out on Fraser's track. The Magistrate said that the question was whether the method of converting the engine-drivers or free laborers was likely to provoke a breach of the peace. It was not a question of whose principles were right. Ee-examined, witness said that their policy was- to conciliate and not to in-' timidate. Mr. Eraser asked if witness or his committee would approve of enginedrivers or others following with a running tire of remarks and calling a man "Scab," "Smelly" and various other ex-' pressions, holding their noses as he passed along. Witness said that that kind of thing was not approved of, but it was hard to prevent people putting their hands to their noses. Witness said that he could not recall whether the committee had dealt with any of its members for transgressions or such behaviour as indicated by His Worship. The Magistrate asked if it would not be better to arrange with one or two of their members to meet the. men they wished to convert, instead of large crowds following them round. A man who was frightened, such as in the case of Sheard, would hardly be a fit subject to argue with and try to convert. ' It would be advisable, perhaps, to discourage strikers as a body from following-up tactics. Witness said that it could be done, but there were various reasons of which the Bench would not be aware for special tactics on the part of strikers. There were reasons also why it was not discreet to go to the places of persons. Traps might be laid. It had been done in all parts of the -world, and they had to guard against that sort of thing. Mr. Eraser then briefly summed up the evidence of the witness, in order to endeavor to arrive at some kind of interpretation of the connection of the fol-lowing-up with the education and conversion of engine-drivers and others. . Charles tlurman, the defendant, said that he did not know Sheard. He would absolutely deny being present at the demonstration on the afternoon of September 4. He was engaged that afternoon at an economic class meeting. Cross-examined, witness said that a large number of men attended the class. He was in a crowd that followed two men at Waikino. He did not use instilling language. The only expression he used, and the reason why Sergeant Wohlmau checked him was that he said "Look there," indicating a man standing near; "I am surprised that he should choose a scab as a bosom friend." Witness, proceeding, said that it was then that Sergeant Wohlman checked him. Asked by Mr. Eraser if he did not think the expression "scab" was an insulting one. witness said that he did not. If was a term used against those who were opposed to the interests of their organisation, hut was not used in malice. In further reply to the Bench, witness said that if the term was recognised as an insulting expression he would be careful about the use of it in future. In the case of one defendant, M. Piacun, the Bench held that the evidence was not of a substantial character, and the case was dismissed. Up to the evening's adjournment, fourteen cases had be-.i dealt with, and in each of these cases the evidence adduced by the defence goes to show that individuals took no active part in the demonstration against the engine-driver Sheard. The defendants and their witnesses swore that, they were present merely out of curiosity. For the most part.' defendants stated that they had never seen Sheard till his appearance in the courthouse. They were not among the crowd for the purpose of annoying Sheard or anybody else. They were out for a little exercise, and did not know who the crowd was following, or what they were doing. The proceedings will be resumed tomorrow. The formation of a union at Waikino. to be registered under an award of Ihe Arbitration Court, is a significant factor iii the re-opening of the Waihi mires, and re-starting milling operations, ft is all the more gratifying to 'hose ar.x-ous lo resume work to learn that over fifty mm have joined, and application for rc:ri-dration has been forwarded.