N.S.W. COAL CRISIS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 December 1929, Page 6

N.S.W. COAL CRISIS

(Australian Press Association) SYDNEY, December 30. M.r Justice Rich to-day proceeded with the hearing of the coal owners’ challenge application against the Federal Arbitration Court award oif Judge Beeby for the reopening of the Northern mines. Tbe counsel agreed to carry on as if the whole ease had been heard by Mr Justice Rich. The Commonwealth Government’s right for intervention was allowed by the Court. This was after a long argument Judge Rich noting an objection by the counsel for the Northern Collieries Lt,d.

ROTHBURY COAL. WILL IT BE MOVED. SA'DNEY, December 39. News from the Roth bury locality today suggests a feeling of anxiety, and scores of armed battalions oif militant miners descending on tbe Botlibury mine compound to drive out the volunteer workmen created consternaton in the little town of Branxton, but these rumours have not been confirmed, and moderate men are known to be doing their utmost to keep the strikers pacified, pending the Full Court’s decision next week as to the award challenge by the coal owners. The police do not consider a wild statement about the men being armed when next a clash with the authorities comes. Pickets to-day patrolled the roads passing the Rothbury Aline property, but all is quiet in the mine itself. There is wonderment as to when the Rothbury coal trucks are going to move. RAILYVAY-MEN’S SUPPORT. SYDNEY. December 39. The Australian Railways Union will take a ballot to decide whether the coal from Rothbury will be hauled. The Raihvaymen’s Union lias also passed a resolution imposing a weekly levy of one shilling on all of the members for the support of the idle Northern miners.