BLOOD SPILT

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1929, Page 6

BLOOD SPILT

POLICE TWICE FIRE ON MINES

(Australian Press Association) SYDNEY, December 16. This morning’s events at Rothbury were marked by a sensational attack on the police at 5.30., which grew so seriously threatening that the constables had to open fire with their revolvers. Three of the miners were wounded. Several police were injured by sticks and stones. Wild scenes lasted twenty minutes. Rioters also attacked the press photographers present, whose cameras were seized, and the plates stolen. About 9.30 a.m. another riot developed near the Rothbury mine gates, when a crowd attempted to enter the mine property. Shots were fired by the police. Branxton reports state that one miner has been killed, and others have been wounded, but the reported death has not been confirmed. A telephone line between the Branxton Police Station and Rothbury, was cut. Attempts to get Government calls through from Sydney to Rothbury were unsuccessful. The miners had been converging on Rothbury all night, and the vanguard of them camped on a lonely spot about one mile from the Rothbury mine. From here a general move was made after dawn, on the mine. Some- of the militants urged extreme measures, but the older men depreciated this line of action. When they reached the outskirts of the mine property, the first brush occurred with the police, who were drawn up across the approaches. The accounts of what happened are conflicting.

It is stated that the Hon. J. M\. Baddeley, a Member of the New Wales State Assembly, while urging the men’s leaders to restrain _ their followers, was injured. His counsels of moderation were not well accepted by the C'essnock meft among the crowd. i

ACCOUNT OF THE SHOOTINGS. MINERS RUSH TOWARDS PIT. MET BY BULLETS AND BATONS. SYDNEY, Dec. 16. This morning’s rioting at the Rothbury mine vicinity has resulted in the death of one man, Norman Brown. He was shot in the stomach. Six others' have been treated at Maitland Hospital, the condition of three being serious. A number of police were also injured. In the first encounter, the young hotheads among the strikers swarmed over the mine fence, which had been strung with barbed wire, and booed the police, who kept fifty yards back from the fence, and acted with great restraint in the face of a difficult situation. Then, with wild shouts tire crowd hurst through and swept on to the colliery property. They were ordered back by the police, but the advance was maintained, and suddenly a shower of stones flew out from the crowd, and fell among the police, who had a hot time in dodging this homage. It was after this that shots were fired and three of the attackers were wounded. This scrimmage was preceded by the Hon. Mr Baddeley’s attempt to get the strikers to refrain from violence, but the men would not listen. They yelled: “Let us get in! We will push through and give them a go!” They forced their way through thja fence, and at first the police used their batons to keep the crowd at bay. The second clash, at 9.20, was the worst. It was then that the man Brown was fatally shot. A car approached the mine gates from Branxton. The crowd thought that it was an official car,, containg Air Weaver, the Minister of Mines. The occupants were two mine inspectors. There was a wild stampede of miners across the road. The police also moved, to prevent any damage to the car, and to assist the driver. The car was taken through the gate, amidst a fusilade of stones. While the police were hard pressed by the gate five shots were fired and three men fell, while batons and stones apparently accounted for the other injuries among miners and police respectively. Between eight and nine o’clock, the pickets raided a private railway line to the Rothbury mine, and threw boulders under the train in an effort to prevent the volunteers Irom being carried to the mine. The police drove the pickets off, several shots being fired, but no one, apparently, was injured. About noon another train and more police reinforcements and more volunteers arrived. The damage done in tin 1 morning to the line had been repaired, and this train travelled at a fast rate through Branxton for the colliery. To-day’s events have produced a feeling of acute tenseness among the people of Rothbury district. No one is prepared to hazard an opinion as to wlmt the next few days will bring forth. AH strangers are suspected and the pressmen are viewed with distrust" by the strikers, who fear that their plans to defeat the opening of the mines may be revealed prematurely.

NEW SOUTH WALES COAL TROUBLE POLICE AND MINERS CLASH

The miners’ vigilance officers test the bona fides of everyone, even of those attending the Miners’ Lodge meetings. Repeated attempts were made to pull the two mine inspectors from the official car. Several shots were fired by miners, and the car was seriously damaged. Nobody, however, was injured. A section of the railway line near Branxton was uprooted and the police arrested eleven miners “red handed” and gaoled them. There have now been upwards of over five hundred police despatched to the Rothbury district, and other police from all over the State of New South Wales, are holding, themselves 'in readiness for despatch to the scene. There is a number of detectives also in the neighbourhood. They are keeping in close touch with the headquarters. THE CASUALTY LIST. SYDNEY, December 16. The list of to-day’s casualties at Rothbury Mine is as follows: — DEAD. Norman Brown, aged 29 years, miner, single. WOUNDED. David Brown, aged 32 years, machinist; shot in neck—serious. Walter Woods, aged 23 years, miner -^serious. Robert Hunter, miner, aged 35 years —minor bullet wounds. William Harrison, miner, aged 23 years—minor bullet wounds. George Lindsay, miner, aged 26 years—minor bullet wounds. The condition of the three last mentioned is not serious. A number of other miners were struck with batons by the police. These men have refused to enter the hospital. Between forty and fifty men suffered minor injuries. , POLICE CASUALTIES. Detective Sergeant Ryan, of New-castle-shot in the forehead; critical. Sergeant Moore, of Newcastle—shot in the arm; serious. Sergeant Booth, of Cessnock—injuries to the head caused by a stone. Constable Campbell, of East Maitland, wound in the leg.

CALM FOLLOWING THE STORM. SYDNEY, December 16. At the,Rothbury mine there were further casualties, which include tlie following:— Walter Woods, shot in the throat. No further deaths are recorded. Quiet has now been restored at Rothbury. There are a few pickets about. It is believed that the situation is' under control. PRESSMEN DISTRUSTED. SYDNEY, December 16. Mr Bavin, State Premier, received a message after lunch to-day saying that telephonic communication had been restored with the Rothbury mine. The representatives of the Sydney and Newcastle newspapers are on the scene. They have been harassed by the strikers, and pursued with sticks and threats. They had to hastily retreat in special cars to other points of vantage. MR BAVIN’S REGRETS! SYDNEY, December 16. Mr Bavin, the Premier, stated: — “The Government deeply regrets the casualties. T desire to reiterate that, a's we l are relying on the Rothbury and other mines to obtain coal for the public services, we cannot, and "’ill not, deviate from that policy, because of acts of violence. I have received word saying the position is much quieter and that a number of rioters have left the scene,” SYDNEY. December 16. The Minister of Alines, Air Weaver, in the course of a statement, sent from Rothbury to-night relates happenings and ho declares that the shooting was begun by miners, a few olf whom possessed firearms. He says the police up to that stage displayed commendable patience, and faced tremendous odds, and that they took their Fives in their hands. FEDERAL COURT. IGNORED BY N.S.W. CABINET. SYDNEY, December 16. The State Cabinet considered the position for four hours to-day. The Premier announced afterwards that the Government did not intend to depart from its policy, and that jt refused an invitation to attend a further peace conference called by the Deputy Federal Registrar of Arbitration for to-morrow.

AG AINST CONCILIATION. SYDNEY, December 16. The N.S.W. Premier, Mr Bavin, in the Assembly, said that lie had received an invitation to take part in another Federal conference convened by the Prime Arinister (ATr Scullin). Air Bavin said that hi? replied that he could see no good purpose that could be served by accepting the invitation. He

added: “We already have deferred our plans on two occasions at the request of the Federal Government, to ascertain whether the dispute could be settled, but all to no purpose. I now Avish to make it clear that the Government has both the intention, and the power, to prevent the control of the situation being taken out of its hands.” REQUST TO WITHDRAW POLICE. REFUSED BY AIR. BAVIN. SYDNEY, December 16. A deputation olf miners’ officials call ed on the Premier, Air Bavin, to-day requesting that tlie police should be Avithdrawn from the Rqtlibury colliery, in order to avoid further bloodshed. The miners’ officials promised a full supply of coal. Mr Bavin replied that the Government’s policy Avas unalterable. The Chief Secretary, Mr Chaffey, also made a statement later. He said: LaAv and order Avill be maintained at all costs. APPEAL FOR PEACE. CANBERRA, December 16. The Federal Prime Arinister, Rt. Hon. Jus. Scullin, has sent an urgent message to the miners’ leaders, in Avhieh he has asked them to withdraw all their pickets from the Rothbury Colliery. He asks the miners’ leaders also to try to prevent any further clashes. Mr Scullin has also communicated with the N.S.AV. Premier, Mr T. Bavin, suggesting the suspension of the Rothbury mine operation until after the holding of a compulsory, conference which he (Air Scullin) has ordered under the chairmanship of the Deputy Federal Registrar of the Arbitration Court. Air Bavin in reply has respectfully declined to comply Avith the Prime -Minister's request. MR, BAVIN’S IDEA. SYDNEY, December 16. The Premier of NeAv South Wales, Air Bavin, may yet have to call upon the Commonwealth 'for military forces, under the Constitution, Section 119 of Avhieh provides that in a case of domestic violence,., the-Premier can request the Federal. Government to dnll out permanent forces, militia, or volunteer troops for the protection of the State.