WAIHI MINES

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10712, 2 October 1912, Page 5

WAIHI MINES

MEETING OF STRIKERS. ARRANGEMENTS FOR TO-DAY. (By Teleoravh — Press Association.) WAIHI, Last Night. At a mass meeting of strikers this afternoon, the chairman announced that the business was to appoint pickets in connection with the resumption of work at Waihi. and also vo hear a message from Mr Eraser, a member of the executive of the Federation of Labour. The latter addressed the men. He said the Federation approved of everything the Waihi men had done, including tho decision of those going to gaol, and that tho Federation were satisfied that the mine-owners were beaten, but would not give in. Even if the mine-own-ers admitted their defeat the men now in gaol would have to be released before the strike would be off. Tho companies were getting outsiders in for the purpose of decoying local men to return to work. Tn the speaker's opinion, five hundred of the strikers would go to gaol before returning to work under the existing conditions. He criticised the Commissioner of Police and the "blue coats,'' and added that every member of the executive was prepared co go to gaol, if necessary. An elaborate system of picketing for to-morrow was then .arranged, men being appointed to occupy various ooints in the vicinity of Waihi. The chairman instructed the men not to use violence, but tactics suchas calling the men "scabs," etc., were to be indulged in as much as thev liked. He said the police were onlv waiting the chance of a riot to justify their coming to Waihi. lie asserted that only about three Waihi Union men were going back to work. Included in the programme for tomorrow, women are to have the use j of a hall, and are to have a roving commission.