ENRAGED HUMANITY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3677, 12 November 1912, Page 5

ENRAGED HUMANITY.

DEBACLE AT WAIHI. WORKERS LEVY HEAVY TOLL OH STRIKERS. WILD STREET SCENES. X - / C- V • 'A TO WN IN A STATE OF RIOT. [IIY TELEGEAI'H —SPECIAL CORP.ESPOXBEXT] WAIHI, Nov. 11. 1 he first big clash between arbitrationists and Federationists took place at Waihi this morning, beginning about 7.30 and lasting fully an hourI.he scenes of Saturday afternoon and evening were completely outdone. The pent-up feelings of the workers burst forth like a raging mountain torrent and the main street resolved itself into a living mass of enraged humanity, a perfect debacle ensuing. It had been decided that the workers, instead of being driven to the mines, should assemble opposite the office of the new Union in the vicinity of the Post Office and thence march to Avork.

From 7 o’clock to 7.30 a.m. brakes loaded Avith Avorkers from all points of the compass arrived at this point and disgorged their living freights. A procession was formed at about 7.40 by the Avorkers. Headed by a small hoy carrying a flag they marched up the main footpath towards the Waihi Company’s mine road, indulging in the usual choruses and cries of “Are we downhearted?” etc.

Assembly of Strikers. In the meantime a number of strikers had assembled on the left footpath, near the mine road, the women oo copying a position on the opposite side past the Sterling Hotel, where a haf-eh of workers who are billeted, there were assembling outside in readiness to join their" mates as the latter came up the street. ■Suddenly the strikers vacated thenposition, crossed over and joined the women. When the army of workers arrived opposite the hotel, instead of proceeding up the mine road they keptstraight ahead, a number of them having to proceed t-o the Grand Junction mine.

Rival Forces in Conflict, Immediately this move was noticed by tiie strikers the- latter and their women folk cleared the middle of the footpath, taking tip a position along the kerbing and as tbs procession of workers passed by they set tip a laughing chorus and jeered at and taunted the workers to their faces. One worker shot the whole of the contents of a billy can of tea right into the face of one of the jeering women. It was not till the corner near the Church of England had been reached that things came to a head. At this point a striker (one of the pickets) was walking along m the opposite direction and notwithstanding the solid mass of Humanity in front of him he kept ahead and attempted to jostle his way through, buinning up against one worker after another. He bumped once too- often and the next thing he was shot out on to the road A heated altercation occurred, resulting in a fight between a strike picket and a- worker.

A Headlong Rush

Other pickets approached and another scrap ensued and then suddenly, like a dam bursting, the pent-up feelings of the workers gave way. They wheeled about and rushed headlong fighting down the main street, sweeping the footpaths, scattering the pickets like chaff before the wind, and lashing out on all sides. A perfect debacle ensued. The women shrieked and eventually took refuge in a butcher’s shop, and one of the strikers picked up a cleever. An enraged worker dashed into the shop and accused him and his wife- of being persistent tormentors. Things were assuming a serious aspect when the police interfered and looked the door, keeping the women inside.

Strikers Severniy Handled. In the meantime the army of workers were rushing all over the main street and every striker who was overtaken received severe punishment. A strong force of police and mounted men mingled with the mob, buthad great difficulty in restraining the workers.

Whenever a strike picket or any offender canto under the wrath of the now thoroughly incensed Arbitrationists if- was seen that he would be hunted like a hare fleeing from a pack of hounds. The workers rushed the Miners' Union Hall and had it not been for the intervention of Commissioner Cullen. who, as usual, was in the thick of the. fight, they would have certainly entered the building and probably in their rage would have wrecked things considerably. In the meantime other bands of workers were rushing down the side streets and lanes to any place where the quarry led them. Mounted constables and foot police wore busily engaged in following up. Several individual fights took place. Two strikers received a severe handling and another was knocked senseloss.

Appeals were made to the police for protection and it was stated that batons were used in some cases.. Had it not been for pvolice intervention the infuriated workers would probably have badly injured several pickets. . Prominent in the rush were several loading strike breakers, including an engine driver. These men t»;ere smarting under continued insults and annoyance and their feelings were at breaking strain. Their watchword in the fight was evidently “retribution,” for they gleaned a heavy toll. Some of , the principal offenders were specially singled out with the result that surgical attention was necessary afterwards.

After sweeping the lower portion of Main Street and its bv-ways, the workers rushed aloug towards Barry Road.

A small knot of pickets were chased

tto the hill opposite the Sterling Hotel. They took refuge in the buildings (private property) and the police prevented the workers from following.

A Headlong Flight. Poll mell rushed the FedSerationists towards the Grand Junction mine •where pickets \vere stationed, and as the infuriated workers were seen approaching the pickets broke cover and incontinently tied. They , rushed towards the Wailii Company’s No. 6 shaft, climbing up the tip heads in their efforts to get away. Others ran into the railway tunnel under the hoppers. - r They were followed and ‘-'dealt with.”

A striker residing near the Junction was bailed up, but being an old man the younger bloods were induced to leave him alone. Hvory person caet with who had joined in the previous rallies against the workers was required to give an explanation of his conduct. Several pickets were located in ti-tree and 1 received immediate punishment. The melee lasted about an hour iand then things simmered down. After all the pickets had cleared out the workers proceeded to the mines.

During the raid numbers of -residents and mine officials (X-eupied points of vantage on the tip heads and hills. A great cinematograph picture was undoubtedly lost. .The main street at the height of the storm provided a scene probably unequalled in the history of the Dominion.

A prominent worker stated that they would no longer put up with continued jeers, insults and annoyance on the part of the strikers and their worn on-folk. This conduct had become unbearable. The strikers wore Hero now with the specific object of annoying the workers and their families.' Hie strike had concluded and those engaged in the above tactics had no chance of employment. They were unemployed. . The workers wore determined in this respect.

An Irresistible Rush. During the fray Sergt. Miller, who was in charge of the mounted section of the police, was heard to remark that they might as -well try to stop the incoming tide as to attempt to stem the rush of the workers. They simply all before them and wore terribly determined. It is understood that at a meeting of the Minors’ Union held this morning a resolution was passed doing away with picketing. Arbitratinnists have expressed 1 thenintention of clearing all pickets out. Extra police have arrived from Waikino.

If the Federationists continue their “boohing” tactics trouble may he expected again. Ten more men went to work this morning—six at the Waihi Company’s mine and four at the Grand Junction. It is understood that the former ■Company will secure the required complement of men this week. No more will then be necessary for a considerable time-