THE MINING TROUBLE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 19 November 1912, Page 5

THE MINING TROUBLE

u MINISTERIAL VIEW. FEDERATIONISTS "NOT TO RUN NEW ZEALAND." AMPLE POLICE PROTECTION AT) HUNTLY.

PROSECUTIONS PENDING. "It is difficult for those who live away from the boundaries of Waihi, 1 ' said the Minister of Justice (tiho Hon A. L. Herdman), in an interview with a Post reporter yesterday, "to realiso what was going on there during th© last six weeks or so. Business was paralysed; men and women—peaceful citizens—lived in a state of terror. Men who wanted to work could only go to work and return from work under protection. And even then they were subjected to the grossest insults. For the first time, I believe, in th© history of New Zealand firearms have been used in industrial troubles. A REMINDER.

"People should not forget that gelignite and revolvers have been employed by Federationists, whose leaders are now parading the country circulating wild and baseless rumours. The result of last week's commotion is that Waihi i-s perfectly quiet. Peace has been 'restored, and citizens can now walk up .and down the street without fear of insult or assault. CLEARING THE AIR,

"From the various . newspaper reports it is difficult to get a clear view of what happened, but at the inquest to-morrow the evidence of Constable Wade and the other worker who wa<9 shot should help to make clear what at the present time is a little confused. It is clear thajb the arbitrationisfcs were goaded by weeks of insult and intolerable provocation into breaking nut as they did last week. That is bevond dispute. POSSIBILITIES AT HUNTLY.

"The Koderationists are now transferring their field of operations to Hnnt-ly. What was done at Waihi in tho way of affording protection to men who want to work, and to citizens who want to go about their busK ness will be done at Huntly. Ample police protection wilt be given, and the F'-'derationists' will liave to be. shown very clearly that they are not going to bo aJlowed to run this coun■fry.- •• ■•■ .-"■- "

MEN ON BOTH SIDES BEING PROSECUTED. - The Minister yesterday received a telegram from Police Commissioner Cullen in which it was stated that the town "of Waihi is very quiet. Some strikers ar© still leaving, but others and .their families 'are'-" walking tho streets without any provocation or annovanee.

"Constable AVade," Commissioner Cullen added, "is still improving."

"A batch of arbitrationisfcg and Federationists," he finally advised., "aro being proceeded against for assaults and breaches 0 f the peace during the late trouble. Thp cases are set down for hearing to-morrow week."