THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 107, 21 September 1912, Page 5

THE WAIHI STRIKE.

WATERSIDE WORKERS' RESOLUTION.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, September 20. At a meeting of the Wellington Waterside Workers' Union a resolution was passed protesting against the imprisonment of the strikers at Waihi and the concentration of police in the strike affected area, for the purpose of intimidating peaceful unionists, and demanding the release of "our fellow workers in gaol, and freedom from molestation by the police." The resolution proceeds: 'We express our confidence in the New Zealand Federation of Labor, and we are prepared to help in any movement winch will bring the strike to a satisfactory conclusion."

THE LAW-BREAKERS.

STRONG MAGISTERIAL COMMENT.

FURTHER COMMITTALS.

Waihs, Last Night. On the Court resuming this morning, before Mr. F. V. Fraser, S.M., the 24 men who were required to find sureties and bonds to keep the peace for twelve months, and who, at their own request were given till this -morning to find sureties, each in turn, when questioned, replied that he had decided not to find sureties but to accept the alternative and go to gaol. The Magistrate said that to some extent the men had taken him by surprise by adopting this attitude. Yesterday all promised to find sureties. It did not seem a heroic thijig to him that, after making up tlirir minds to do the right thing, they allowed somebody not competent to give advice on the matter to cause them to change their minds. It did not seem to him that t.hev possessed much strength of mind. They must be a "glorious" band of heroes, who wanted to uphold a "glorious" principle bv following up and annoying and intimidating people, and even in some instances frightening women into a state of illness, and creating public disorder. It was a "glorious" principle for which they were fighting. The Magistrate went on to say that there was no intention in the wide world to stop picketing. They had had the assurance of Inspector Wright that the police would not interfere in any attempt by the strikers at legitimate picketing or efforts for converting free laborers. It appeared that there was no principle involved beyond the "glorious" principle of the right to intimidate and annoy those weaker than themselves, when they were in such numbers as to make it safe for themselves. If that constituted "a hero" he was wrong in his estimate of what the word »eant.

Mr. Harman asked permission to speak.

The Magistrate said that lie would 'hear him.

Mr. Barman explained that lie had reviewed the situation seriously, and had come i.o the conclusion that it would be folly to enter into a bond, on account of the aggressive attitude of the police against their organisation. If they were bound, men who smiled at a policeman or made any chance remark re his personal beauty, would receive a summons, and their bonds would be forfeited.

His Worship said that this was "utter rot, untrue, and absolute nonsense." It was just an attempt to justify the attitude taken. He explained again that there would be no curtailment to the men who found sureties in the performance of their duties as pickets, but a principle of disorder and lawlessness would not be permitted. He would ask whether any ''"hero" present would change his mind. Mr. Cullen, Commissioner of Police, in the course of a few remarks, made it plain that the police would at all costs maintain law and order. They would protect anyone who wanted to work, no matter who, whether free laborer or Federationist. The poliee would remain there as long as they were wanted. There were more police ready to come at any moment. It was only a matter of sending a telegram. He wanted the men to clearly understand the position. The final T>atch of .charges in connection with the following of free laborers was preferred to-day against Walter Collins, Win. Collins, Geo. Bence, W. Peny and Mattic Piacun. Defendants pleaded not guilty. 'ln opening the prosecution, Mr. Mays said that it was regrettable that all warnings and court proceedings had not so far 'had the desired effect on the strikers. Some of those now before the Court had been charged earlier in the week, but had escaped, with the exception of Piacun.

The Magistrate, in making an order to find sureties to keep the peace, increased the amount of the surety to £SO and another £SO.

The men elected to go to gaol. The number going to gaol to-day is 29, making a total since the proceedings were instituted of 45 Altogether there were 51 bound over, six of whom found sureties.

During the Court proceedings to-day a number of women paraded outside the Courthouse, bearing placards, with the inscription, "Don't be traitors to your class." The 29 prisoners committed today were taken away from the station in two brakes, driven by policemen, to the steamer at Paeroa. They will arrive at Auckland at daylight to-morrow. An immense crowd saw them off, amid much cheering for the prisoners and hooting for the police and the law. A DETERMINED MAGISTRATE.

Waihi, Last Night, In connection with the charge against Walter Collins. Win. Collins, G. N. Bence and W. Perry, the Magistrate, in giving his decision, said that these eases were more serious than those which had preceded them. In fact, the offences were contumacious, and tended to override law and order, whereas in the earlier informations it might reasonably be assumed that the offences had been committed in ignorance. He was always prepared to act' leniently where men had acted in ignorance, or had rashly acceded to the requests of persons having some authority over them, but when it was found tliat men had set out to deliberately break and defy the law the position was entirely different. The men would find that they were up against a snag in him when they so acted. They had absolutely no excuse for their actions, and each would be bound over to keep the peace for twelve months in a recognisance of £SO and one surety of £SO, or two sureties of £25 each. The men stated that they would not attempt to find sureties, and intended going to gaol. The Magistrate, addressing the strikers in, the body of the Court, drew attention to the increased bonds of the last four men, and intimated that if any further cases came under his notice he would raise the individual recognisances to £IOO, and go on raising them thereafter. These offences must be stopped, and it would be well that they should recognise that it was useless to go on kicking against the law, as the law always worn It must be understood that he was absolutely determined that the district under his jurisdiction should be law-abiding and orderly. He was sorry that the strike had occurred, and to note the suffering which the strikers had had

to put up with hi consequence;' and he was sorry, also, that a number of peopl* who had not been parties to the disputes should have suffered. He sincerely hoped that the strike would toe brought to a speedy and honorable,settlement, and he would be only too pfeaijeA to do anything he could to bring about' its termination. This he would do willingly and ungrudgingly, and without,consideration for the time expended. In concluding, Mr. Fraser said that no doubt some of the men present were under the impression that the informations in which they would be involved were yet to be dealt with, but such was not the case. He had talked the matter over with Mr. May* and the police authorities, and it had been decided that anything that happened up to the present juncture should not be made the subject of a charge. They should start with a clean slate from to-day, and he hoped they would keep it clean. This decision would show that there was no desire on the part of the police to deal harshly with them.

There was a demonstration this afternoon in the street, opposite the police station, when the 29 prisoners were taken off in brakes to Paeroa. Though marked by loud cheering for the men and hotting for the police, it was otherwise orderly. Union pickets were in attendance, and succeeded in preserving order among the large assemblage. A number of Fedcrationists at Waikino and Karanga'hake, through which townships the prisoners were driven, en route to Paeroa, cheered the occupants of the vehicles. The prisoners were put on board at Paeroa, and will reach Auckland early in the morning. A motor fire engine, driven by some of the firemen and flying miniature red flags, accompanied them, amid cheering from the crowd, for a short distance.

Mr. R. Semple, organiser, arrived at Waihi by the eevning train. He was met at the station by" about fifty strikers. Some cheering began, but was suppressed by the Strike Committee. In the evening he gave an open-air address, and congratulated the miners on the stand thev had. taken.