AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1925, Page 1

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

TROUBLE AT MT. MORCAN. A HOSTILE DEMO NS T B ATI OX. [Australia it N.Z. Cable Association.] BUISBANF. Sept. 10. I rouble at the .Mount Alu?£;un mine, witieli was not re-opened alter the railway strike to allow the directors to di.seu.-s the position arising from the serious losses in operations, consequent on general labour conditions, resulted in a serious disturbance. A crowd ol about one thousand miners yesterday invaded tin- Company's premises and demanded that all oilicmls should leave the mine and administrative ofliees immediately. While the spokesman was parleying with the manager the crowd rushed the oflitos, seized the chief metallurgist and the assistant engineer and removed them from the premises and forced the rest of the staff to make a hurried retreat. T he rioters t.!ion raided the mine and demanded that the lire in the engine house he extinguished, hut the malinger persuaded them to desist in their demand under a promise that it would he extinguished three hours later as a sudden withdrawal would result, in an explosion. The mob continued to demonstrate until the promise was fulfilled. A number of police who were present. were unable to cope with the crowd.

All the ollieialx were compelled to leave I lie mine, u herein operations have now been completely stopped. The mine is strongly picketed. A hostile demonstration was made outside the house of the manager, who is under police protection. Now that, the pumps arc tumble to Operate tile mine is likely to he quickly Hooded. Tlte disputes committee lelegranhed the Government not to reinloree tinpolice and the sergeant ill charge was asked not to interfere with the strikCl’S. Union oflicinls declare they intend to light to a. lini-li. They demand a forty four hours week and 80s weekly for surface hands, with forty hours lor undergroultd employoes.

I-TBTHFH DIBIT K BANCFS. tßeceived this day at 8 a.in.,) BRISBANE. September 11. Further disturbances occurred at the Ml. Morgan mine. All roads leading to the. mine are picketed by the miners and the official shill bosses and members of the clerical staff are prevented from attending their work. Pickets searched the mine and located the general manager in the power house. They escorted him to his private office. The chief electrical engineer was also found and they threatened him that he would he thrown in the dam if lie came hack. I lie miners then escorted him to his private house. When tin- company's industrial advocate endeavoured to enter the- mine to interview the manager regarding an arbitration ease, he was slopped by a picket. Police assist mice was sought to take him. to the mine, hill further pickets arrived and the advocate and police retired.