N.S.W. COAL CRISIS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1930, Page 6

N.S.W. COAL CRISIS

MARKING TIME. (Australian Press Association). /SYDNEY, Jan. 8. Cabinet to-day further discussed the coal , situation and decided to mark time until the High Court appeal was determined. ■ Premier Bavin commented on the statement that the miners were forming a defence corps. He said it was both unlawful and unnecessary. He added the police were quite capable ol protecting the citizens of this country. MIXERS PROSECUTED. OYER THE ROTHBURY CLASH. SYDNEY, Jan. 8. The police in the northern coalfields district to-day served seventy summonses on men who are alleged to have taken part in riotous scenes at Rothburv on December 16th. Tlie men are charged with having used weapons, such as bottles or sticks, likely to cause death or grievous bodily harm. They alternatively are charged with being members of an unlawful assembly'. The eases will-come befomthe Maitland Court on January 26th. RET URXED SOLDIERS. SYDNEY, Jan. 8. Tlie Central Council of tlie Returned Soldiers’ Longue dissociates itself from the action of the returned soldier miners, who have passed a resolution pledging themselves to fight under the direction of the Miners’ Federation. . . . -

MINERS’ MOVE. TO OBEY COURT ORDER. MELBOURNE, Jan. 8. A surprise move was made 'by the Miners? Federation, to-day, which might affect the hearing of the appeal of the coal owners relating to Judge Booby's Arbitration Court order for their reopening of the coal mines, which appeal is now before the Full Bench of the High Court. jAn application was to-day filed by the Miners’ Federation asking for a compulsory conference with the mine owners on the subject of the re-oipen-ing. The miners have amended their log as to the wage claims and improved conditions, and offer affidavits in support declaring that there is grave unrest and threats of r cessation of work 'at all of the mines of Australia if the claims arc not granted.

NORTHERN MINES. SAFETY MEN WITHDRAWN. [United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] SYDNEY, Jan. 9. The Combined Committee of the Alining Unions of Sydney, by 8 votes to 7, decided upon the withdrawal of safety men in the northern mines closed by the coal-owners under a threat of mass picketing. A number of experienced coalminers have been sent to New South Wales by the South Australian Alines Department to take employment in the mines which will he opened by the New South "Wales Government.