MR BAVIN'S DEFENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1929, Page 3

MR BAVIN'S DEFENCE

CHALLENGED IN ASSEMBLY. a ' (Australian Press Association) SYDNEY, December 17. Tlie N.S. Wales Premier, Mr Bavin in tlio course of liis statement in the Legislative Assembly this afternoon, said: It would be an abdication of the Government to be deflected by a. policy of threats of violence. The Government was convinced that a. vast mar jority of the citizens had no sympathy with the methods of violence and revolution practised yesterday. The whole responsibility' for the death of Norman Brown and the injury otf the

gallant policemen rested with the men who encouraged and incited the miners to violence and but for the action of the police, the lives of volunteer workers would have been endangered. Mr Bavin denied that the Government acted in a provocative manner. He felt bound to say the position was made more difficult by irresponsible statements made by members of the Federal Government. The atmosphere of Parliament became electrical when Air' Lang, the Leader of the Opposition, finally moved the following resolution : “That this House deplores the loss of life at .Rothbury yesterday, and censures the Government for permitting the use of the State police in furthering the efforts of the mine owners in their attitude of open defiance .against the lawt 7 *

The debate thereafter was a. stormy one. SYDNEY, December 17. 1 Mr Lang’s censure motion in the Assembly had not been debated far when a Member, on a point order, declared that the motion could not be discussed pending the Coroner’s inquiry into Norman Brown’s death, as the n/atter was subjudice. The point was upheld. BAVIN’S REPLY TO SCULLIN. SYDNEY, Dec, 18. The N.S.W. Premier, Mr T. Bavin, has replied to the Prime Minister, Air Jas. J-f. Scuilin’s criticism, which was to the effect that the New South Wales Government was acting in a provocative manner. Mr Bavin said: “T am ..responsible fqr my actions, not to the Prime Minister, but to the people of New South

Wales. Therefore I <lo not think it is desirable to engage in a press controversy with iMr iScullin,-- since we both have very heavy 'responsibilities at the present time.” SYDNEY, Dec. 18. The chief daily newspapers in Sydney endorse Premier Bavin’s attitude, and declare the State Government’s coil plums must go ahead, irrespective of any threats of violence and lawlessness. FEDERAL COURT. TO ADJUDICATE ON DISPUTE. (SYDNEY, Dec. 18. .Judge Becby announced to-day that owing to the coal mine owners having rejected the Federal Government’s proposals for a speedy settlement, which were submitted to the Compulsory Cbnforcnoe ye-stoa'day,. luv Rad referred the dispute into the Federal Arbi f ration Couirt for hearing, which begins to-morrow.