THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 104, 18 September 1912, Page 5

THE WAIHI STRIKE.

FURTHER COMMITTALS. By Telegraph.— Press Association. Waihi Last Night. The two men, P. Kchollard and J. Doel who declined to Hud sureties, were conveyed to Auckland, to Mount Eden Gaol this morning. The Karangalmke miners knocked off work to attend a meeting in connection with the committal of the offending miners to gaol. MR. SEMPLE'S THREATS, Wellington, Last Night. Mr. Seinple says in an interview with a Past representative that he wishes to inform the people who are responsible for the introduction of the police to Waihi that "they are up against as still a proposition as they want by attempting to beat us back with the police baton or a class-biased magistrate. They are up against men wiio have backbone. The spirit of revolt will be stirred up. That the strike is not fizzling out the people of New Zealand will know before long, the trouble is only beginning and the Jure the people with us."He added: "We have the people ith us. As to what we are going to do next, you will know all about that soon enough." 'FURTHER PROSECUTIONS. POLICE EVIDENCE. Wellington, Last Night./ Evidence in the charges against Parry. McLennan, Opie and Melhose of offensively following arbitrationists at Waikino was continued last night till ten o'clock. Cooiiey said that he came to Waikino on August 30. He corroborated the evidence of previous police witnesses. Parry and McLennan, beyond doubt, were the most prominent in the crowd. Since the arrival of the free labourers the at; titude of the strikers towards them was very agressive. He cautioned several not to follow the man Stone about. They persisted, and said that the police could do their worst. Residents on the hill had been reduced to a state of terror, and inconsequence police were stationed in that locality. On September 2 there was the biggest show of strikers at Waikino. The position at one time looked ugly. By the Magistrate: The conduct of the strikers was such as to make any ordinary man resent it, and cause a breach of the peace. The general attitude of the strikers towards free labourers was hostile. He would say that the strikers were going the wrong way to convert the men. He did not know Parry had brought a crowd down to Waikino. The strikers did not take much notice of the police till the free laborers appeared on the scene. Cross-examined by Mr. McLennan: The strikers were very aggressive towards the free laborers. The police took Best, one of the free laborers, to the watch-house on Sunday for safety, and kept him there till more constables arrived fromd Waihi. Witness said that he would not allow the crowd to picket but had no objection to two pickets trying to argue with the men in a legitimate way. The police would not persuade the men to go to work. He had not seen McLennan in anv demonstration since.

Cross-examined by Mr. Parry, witness said that the crowd that came -from Waihi was Parry's crowd. It was a good thing for Parry and the strikers that ; they went no further. He believed there would have been trouble but for the police proceeding there. Cooney said that he heard someone call "Parry, wliere's your pluck now?" Cross-examined in answer to further questions lie said that women and children on the hill were terrified by the strikers. He enumerated the names of three women and a little girl. One had her pathway temporarily blocked by a strike picket, and insulting epithets were used towards her. Four other constables gave evidence corroborative of Detective Cooney's as to the aggressive attitude of the strikers, and said that but.for the presence of the police the situation would have been very serious. The hearing of the evidence was resumed this morning. A witness who was 'among those followed stated that the position bad got to such a stage that police protection was necessary. DEMONSTRATION IX AUCKLAND. Auckland, Lasfc Night. Patrick Schollard and James Doel, who refused to find securities of the peace at Waihi, arrived at Auckland this afternoon, and were taken to the Mt. lEden Gaol. A crowd numbering about 300 assembled to meet them. About 250 of the crowd were waterside workers. On the wharf the prison van was waiting to convey the two strikers to the gaol. "The prisoners were among the first to step down the gangway and immediately they stepped on to the wharf, one of the waiting crowd of watersiders called for ''three groans for capitalistic law and ordir." Three loud groans followed. 'Then someone called for ••'three cheers for the prisoners," these were lustily given. Three cheers were then given for "Federation of Labour." The watersider, who called for them adding, "that the I Federation wasn't beaten and wasn't likely to be." Further groans followed agaiiist the MaSsey Government. The two men stepped quietly into the van, ami were driven away to Mount Eden Gaol. As soon as the conveyance had disappeared the crowd melted away.