COAL STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1929, Page 5

COAL STRIKE

ROTHBURY COAL. WORK PROCEEDING. (Australian Press Association). SYDNEY, Dec. 18. Work is proceeding smoothly at the Rothiniry Colliery. There is now the question of whether the railway engine drivers will haul tlie llotlibury coal from, the mine to Sydney, a distance of one hundred and thirty milqs. This remains to be seen. The raihvaymen have not yet made known their attitude. The fact remains that the railwaymen have already transported the fine labour from Sydney to the Rothbury Mine, and their Union so far has made no public protest.

AMMUNITION FOR POLICE. SYDNEY, Dec. 18. A large quantity of ammunition has been sent to the police camp at the Rothbury colliery. MINERS’ QUEST' FOR ARMS. , SYDNEY, Dec. 18. The police have obtained evidence that miners a.t Kurri Karri and in other portions of the Maitland coalfields are attempting to obtain arms and ammunition. The miners were forestalled when they sought to obtain possession of the military rifles at a local drill shed, The bolts of the rifles had already been officially removed. FEDERAL ACTION. (Received this dnv at 12.25. p.m.) SYDNEY, December 19. It is reported in Sydney to-night that the Commonwealth Government intends to commandeer a privately owned colliery, Maitland field as a setoff to the State Government’s action in acquiring Rothbury colliery. Mine-owners declare the Commonwealth’s action will be tested in the law courts. ROTHBURY NEWS. (Received this day at noon.) SYDNEY, Dec. 19. A Rothbury message states officials of Stanford Merthyr Colliery discovered that the powder magazine at the mine had been broken into and a case of explosives and a .large number of detonators stolen. Kurrie messages report that the militants are collecting arms and ammunition. Police action at Cessnock resulted in a prohibition against the sale of either guns or cartridges. All hotels in tne mining areas have been closed, even to travellers ana boarders. : Five unassociated collieries in Cessnock district, where the miners ceased work to attend the funeral'of Brown, did not reopen yesterday. . Strenuous efforts are being made by moderates to have mass picketing stopped. It is understood members of the Rothbury Miners’ Lodge decided not to take active part in any further demonstration.