TROUBLE IN WAIHI.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 150, 12 November 1912, Page 5

TROUBLE IN WAIHI.

ARBITRATION v. federation. FIGHTING IN THE STREETS. By Telegraph— Press Association. 'Waihi, Yesterday. The long-looked-for clash between the workers and non-workers, or abitrationists and federationists, occurred this morning. The incidents in Seddon street on Saturday afternoon were but mild curtain raisers to the events of this morning. At about 7.30 the men going to the shift at both the Wailii and Grand Junction mines assembled opposite the new Union Hall. Here they formed into a marching column, and started off, four abreast, en route ,to the mines. Meanwhile, the strikers and women had congregated. As soon as they espied the workers coming, they crossed over to the same side of the street, the non-workers interniinglino- with the women. The workers continued their march without interference for the usual chorus of brays fro.n tin* women and men alike. The procession proceeded on its way until it reached a point near the mine entrance. At this point the clash occurred. A unionist picket made an insulting remark to a worker. High words followed between the two. Several citizens intervened and endeavored to restore peace, but, notwithstanding the efforts in this direction, blows were struck, and both men want at each other hot and strong. The incident seemed to be the signal for an aggressive movement by the arbitrationists, and in a twinkling a stampede occurred, hike a bolt from the blue, the workers turned on the strikers and smashed into them right and' left. The women became panic-stricken, and shrieking fled in all directions for safety. The police were for the time being powerless against the sudden and overwhelming onslaught of the workers. No quarter was asked for or given. The strikers were outnumbered by over three to one. A cry went up from the ranks of the workers, "Now boys, let's at 'em!" The cry was answered by a yell, and the workers fell upon the federationists with increased vigor. A regular Donny brook scene followed. The strikers had no chance, and fled incontinently, anywhere for safety. Meanwhile, individual fights were occurring thick and fast in all directions, while there were -instances of strikers fleeing like hunted rabbits, with workers at their 'heels. Such a scene has never before been witnessed in Waihi. There were one or two instances where several workers were attacking one striker. With these exceptions, no unfair advantage was taken by the workers, the crowd insisting that there should be a fair deal. Within ten minutes of the first clash, Seddon street had somewhat the appearance .of a battlefield. Subsequently, the, appearance of the strikers could have-been likened to, that of a routed army., Those who were not already • engaged in ,hand-to-hand fights scurried into rights-ofway and other places to get out of the way of the infuriated workers. The latters' blood was up. There was no restraining them. The poiice/at'this stage appeared powerless to stem the torrent of angry passion. ; i | END OF THE CONTEST. EXCUSES FOR THE WORKERS. , Waihi, Yesterday. , A number of women and men sought refuge in a butcher's shop, where constables mounted guard. In the generel melee there were a number of exciting incidents, including several stand-up fights between the more prominent arbitrationists and federationists, the former lashing at their opponents with the fury of a long pent-up passion. Bleeding noses and cut faces resulted from quick exchange of blows. A group about half a dozen federationists standing on a flight of steps were advised by the police to go home. A band of workers rushed at them, and they bolted up the steps, with the workess at their heels. Whenever the strikers were seen making for refuge, the crowd chased them. They ran like scalded eats. Meanwhile, the police endeavored to protect them from the crowd. The next scene occurred in the vicinity of the Miners' Union Hall. Here the workers concentrated in force and made for the hall, where a number of federationists had taken refuge. The crowd yelled at those in the building and made an attempt to get inside. At this stage Commissioner Cullen took a hand, mounting the steps at the entrance to the hall. He called upon the crowd to disperse. • Ultimately the workers were induced to go away. They then gathered their forces together, and, getting into marching order, they proceeded to the Waihi Mine. The hands escorted the Junction hands to the Junction Mine. While 011 the way, the workers suddenly espied a band of strikers in the distance, and a contingent from their ranks rushed in hot pursuit of them. However, the mounted police barred their progress, preventing any further trouble. Meanwhile, blasts of the whistle from the mines had gone forth unheeded, the men arriving at work over halt an hour late. Eye-witnesses stated that the workers were goaded to exasperation by the unemployed on the footpaths, and the women who were with them. Goading was continued without intermission, until the workers could stand it no longer, and one when who was near them called out "scab," he was quickly dealt with.