COAL STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1929, Page 5

COAL STRIKE

LABOUR MINISTERS CONFER (Australian Press Association). SYDNEY, Dec. 22. A. conference, with the Prime Minister, Air Jas. H. Seullin, as Chairman, was heid on Saturday in Sydney, at which a number of the niembe.s of the Federal Cabinet and also Mr Lang (Leader of the New Sonin Wales Labour Party) discussed the Coal position from every angle. There was considerable 'bitterness, bnt no definite result was reached.

HIGH COURT INVOKED,

SYDNEY, Dec. 22

The coal position underwent no change yesterday, but the New Smith Wales State Government took steps to test Judge Booby’s order for the reopening of tne mines at the- pre-stop-page rates. An application was made to the Chief Justice of the High (Court of Australia yesterday for ,a summons to compel the (parties to the coal dispute to appear before the High Court, in order to determine the validity of Judge Reeby’s 'order. This matter comes before the High Court on Monday.

Meanwhile thq Ne South Wales Government will not proceed with its plans to reopen additional mines with free labour.

The State Premier, Mr T. Bavin, announced that the Government intends to continue the operations at the Rothbury Colliery until the High Court gives its ruling as to the legality of the State Government’s action. MINES .STOP FOR HOLIDAYSSYDNEY, Dec. 22. All of tho coal mines in the Southern and Western (New South Wales) fields, which have been working at high pressure since the Northern dispute 'began last March, have now closed down for the Christmas and New Year holidays, which means that the coal reserves for the railways and gas works will be seriously depleted within a few days.

PLEA FOR PEACE

EFFORT TO END DISPUTE BEFORE 'CHRISTMAS.

(Received this dav at 11 a.mA SYDNEY, Dec. 23

The Prime Minister (Mr J. H. Seullin) in a plea for peace in the coalfields said a strong effort would be made to end the dispute before Christmas. “Let the Christmas spirit prevail on all sides and 1. am confident a settlement will bo reached,’; lie said.

The “Herald” says at Saturday’s conference it was disclosed that miners were quietly arming themselves against the advice of their leaders to revisit Rothbury and avenge the death of the miner killed during the riots.

Mr Seullin was asked to cc.i.imj.ndeor Rothbury immediately m Older to avert further bloodshed. All powder, gelignite, ammunition ■ and other explosives at the Northern miners are being removed and taken to Newcastle.