THE WAIHI STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 123, 11 October 1912, Page 8

THE WAIHI STRIKE.

THE PROPOSED DEMONSTRATION. By Telegraph—Press Association. Clii'istdiUß'li, Lust Night. Business men in Christehurch, with orders to fulfil for North Island centres, are working at to-day to get their goods off by this evening's steamer, as they recognise that if this were not done their goods would be delayed in Wellington all day on Saturday, owing to the Federation demonstration at that port. Chatting, with a reporter, a business man, referring to the Federation tactics,, said: "I hope to goodness that the Government will stick to their guns as they are doing at Waihi, where, as a. consequence, they are going to win through!"

" DEMONSTRATION IN AUCKLAND.

Auckland, Yesterday. The waterside workers held a big meeting this morning and further discussed the 24 'hours' strike. A proposal to take a secret ballot was rejected, and it was resolved to observe to-day as a holiday and participate in the demonstration against the imprisonment of the Waihi strikers. It was agreed that work be resumed on three large vessels now in port at midnight, but on the Union Company's steamer Mokoia, due this afternoon, work will not be started unu: eight to-morrow morning. The City Council's general laborers, 60 strong, were unanimous against a day's strike. Only a small number of men employed by suburban local bodies are participating. A large number of Huntly coal miners did not start work this morning, but a j large proportion of the surface workers resumed their employment. The waterside workers formed a procession on the wharf at 1 p.m., and were joined by some of the general laborers. The total muster was about 460, small compared with the membership of 2000. Headed by a band and the waterside banner, the procession marched through the main street to the gaol and the domain, where speeches were delivered denouncing the imprisonment of the Waihi strikers. All along the route the tramway men on the cars were hooted for standing out of the demonstration and denounced as scabs and traitors.

The directors of the Taupiri Coal Company have been advised that only 96 out of 500 miners resumed work this morning. They have announced that those taking the holiday will not be employed this week at least. The directors will hold a meeting to consider further action. The only remarkable incident in the Federationists' demonstration occurred in Symonds street, where a tram conductor, who waved his hands derisively in defiance, of the, hooting, was grabbed by a man in the procession. Blows were exchanged before the spectators could interfere, but the incident then ended.

1 WELLINGTON APATHETIC. STRIKE CONTRIBUTIONS. THE MINE OUTPUT. Wellington, Last Night. The Wharf Laborers' Union has resolved to take a holiday next Wednesday, from 8 a.m. to midnight, and has notified the Harbor Board and the shipping authorities accordingly. The proposal is to hold a mass meeting of protest against the imprisonment of the Waihi strikers, and then to form a procession to Parliament Buildings. There is, however, considerable doubt whether this programme will be carried out on Wednesday, if at all. In the first place, the union executive is understood to consider the presence of Mr. R. Semple essential, and he is on the West Coast and cannot be in Wellington next Wednesday. In the second place there Is a lack of unanimity among the members of the union. One member, discussing the position with a Times reporter, said "A meeting of the union was held and attended by about 300 members, out of probably 1400, at which it was decided to stop work, as requested by the Federation of Labor. This decision was far from being unanimous, and there are many members of the union who, in these busy times, with Home boats arriving every week, object strongly to the proposal, as they feel that nothing can be gained by it, and that 'it only means fooling with the work there is to do. A large number of wharf laborers, while sympathising with the strikers' unfortunate position and willing to pay strike levies, are honestly of opinion that the Federation of Labor has gone too far, and that its leaders have not the right to make others suffer in the way they propose doing, for many men ire risking the 'sack' if they don't turn, up to work next Wednesday." A special 1 meeting of the Wellington Wharf Laborers' Union has been called for Saturday, at 3 o'clock, in the men's waiting-room, to protest against the decision of a few hundred members, binding about 1400 members. | A draft of £834 18s 3d from the New- j castle Miners' Employees, and £SO from the Perth (Western Australia) Railwaymen was received by the Federation of Labor yesterday, in aid of the Waihi strikers. Australian and New Zealand contributions to the strike fund received this week amount to over £2OOO.

Mr. P. Fraser telegraphed to the federation executive in Wellington, from Waihi to-day: "Five less men gone to S0 mine to-day. Sixty tons of quartz sent yesterday to battery from ore reserves. The ordinary output before the cessation of work was nearly a thousand tons of ore a dav."

A VIGOROUS DEMONSTRATION.

Waihi, Last Night. Strike matters this afternoon were of | a more pronounced character. The main street in the vicinity of the eni trance to the mine road was the scene of a larger demonstration by men and women than usual. The street where Delaney lives was also congested, and the now well-known hooting and boohooing indulged in increased in vigor. The police, however, took precautions, especially in the conduct of Delaney to his Jiome. A gathering, principally of women, was in evidence in the vicinity of the homes of workers on the outskirts of the town.

PRACTICAL SYMPATHY. Pulmerston North, Last Night. A meeting of llaxniill workers, at To-

komaru, at which 240 were present, confirmed the resolution of the union executive passed last Saturday, "That on ft day to be arranged all men in the union should cease work at the mills for 24 hours, as an ' expression*? of sympathy with the Waihi men who are gaoled." Ail at the meeting promised to give one day's pay towards the strikers.