THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 115, 1 October 1912, Page 5

THE WAIHI STRIKE.

A MANIFESTO,

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Waihi, Last Night. The following manifesto has been issued by the new union:—"We, as members of the recently-formed Ohinemuri Mines and Batteries Employees' Union, desire to make clear our reasons for forming an industrial union under the arbitration laws of New Zealand. We belong to that section which were not satisfied with the ballot taken by the Waihi Union upon the question of the cancellation of its registration under the Arbitration Act. The deadlock which has since occurred, and which has lasted for nearly five months, can only be terminated by the action we have taken. We decline to be a charge upon the generosity of our fellow-workers when there is profitable employment awaiting us and a judicial tribunal in the case of dispute is offered to us. We bear no animosity toward those who think that we are wrong in taking this, the only line of action possible to bring about-re-employment. We ask that those who are willing to return to their work shall recognise that all sections have rights and liberties. We invite you to join us in sharing the management of union affairs, leaving a final settlement of disputes to the law of the land in which we live."

STRIKE MATTERS.

Waihi, Last Night. Strike matters are quiet here to-day. The strikers are arranging for an elaborate system of picketing on the Waihi Mine Hill for Wednesday morning. The Waihi Gold-mining Company have publicly notified that all persons trespassing upon or loitering about land occupied by the co.mpany for its mining purposes, will be prosecuted. A small cottage for the accommodation of guards who are to protect the Waihi Companies' bridge on the Ohinemuri river has been erected.

Quite an influx of ex-residents of Waihi has set in. The influx is coincident with the resumption of work at the mine. It is anticipated that about sixty men will respond to the Waihi Company's warning to resume work on Wednesday, with the alternative of the cancellation of contracts.

A new portion of the Waihi Company's Waikino line alterations, which have just been completed, has been tested. An engine with a number of loaded trucks was slowly taken over it this morning. The carriage of quart* from the Waihi mine to Waikino can bow be resumed at any time. The grading, and other alterations necessitated by the passing of the East Coast line over the companies' line has been in progress for several weeks.

THE FEDERATION OF LABOR,

DETERMINED TO STAND OUT.

Wellington, Last Night. The emergency meetings of the Federation of Labor Executive to consider plans for the future conduct.of the Wnihi strike ended to-day, when a representative of your paper interviewed a number of the members. They were not prepared to communicate much except opinions, the actual resolutions regarding their plans they said, secret far the present. Asked wlio is conducting the fight at Wnihi in the absence of Mr. Parry, included among the so-called martyrs at Mount Eden Gaol, the .executive stated that Mr. Fraser, of the Auckland Waterside Workers' Union, had been deputed to proceed to Waihi to take charge of operations. What will be done by him is apparently to await developments on the employers' side. The executive affected to he quite confident that the attempt to start the mine on Wednesday would be almost a fiasco, owing to incompetent workmen. As for the strikers, they declared tliat the dispute is mnning on a pood financial basis, and that funds are plentiful, with prospects equally good, as some sections of the Federation, such as the shearers, will be able to contribute towards the support of their idle colleagues more easily during the summer months. THE GAOL POLICY.

"Tire Federation is determined that the men in gaol who have committed no crime have to come out at all costs," declared Mr. Semple. "They could come out at once if they found sureties," suggested your representative.

"Well, they won't," promptly answered the Federation organiser.' "Thousands of people would have provided sureties, and_ we could do it out of our funds if wc liked, but we are determined not to sign away our liberty at the dictation of a class-biassed magistrate. Every miner in our Union, every woman, and every member of the executive, is prepared to follow Mr. Parry to gaol rather than sign any bond; We are going to demand the right to peaceful picketing." The Kaffir Labor allegations THE KAFFIR LABOR ALLEGATIONS.

Mr. Semplc declared that lie was still dubious, despite the denials of tho ■employers, that Kaffir or Chinese labor would be imported to run the Waihi mine. "Mr. Massey and Mr Rhodes can deny it," he said, "but I got the information from the Dunedin Star, which is an employers' paper. Tt mentioned about a week ago that a move was on foot in London to introduce eoolie or Chinese labor into Waihi, and this, with the statement of Mr. Rhodes that Kaffirs and Chinamen can "work the machine drill, makes it appear genuine."

MORE DEMONSTRATIONS.

Mr. Semple and Mr. Armstrong, of the General Laborers' Union, will leave for Greymouth to-morrow for the purpose of oriranis'iinr demonstrations in favor of the unconditional release of the 45 strikers now imprisoned at Mt. Eden Gaol. Other members of the Federation executive, will proceed to their own districts to organise similar meetings. Mr. Webb, who, with Mr. Tfickey. toured Australia to raise strike funds will return to New Zealand on Wednesday. His colleague will remain in Australia, until further orders. The executive declared that the Australian response had been marvellous and was increasing.