N.S.W. COAL CRISIS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 January 1930, Page 6

N.S.W. COAL CRISIS

ROTHBURY COAL

BEING SHIFTED BY RAIL.

(Australian Press Association). SYDNEY, Jan. 9

Three hundred tons oi Rothbury coal were hauled to Newcastle early this morning, a distance oT 25 miles. No attempt was made by the strikers or pickets to interfere with the train crew. . :

The train crew consisted of two locomotive inspectors. One acted as driver, and the other as fireman. The guard’s van was full of police, who were strongly armed.

A second coal train, hauling four hundred tons from Rothbury, reached Newcastle later in the day.

THE ENGINE-DRIVERS IN CONFLICT WITH MINERS. SYDNEY, Jan. 9

The Colliery Engine Drivers’ and Firemen’s Association, which is in conflict with the Aliners’ Feneration, ~as definitely decided in the event of the miners withdrawing the safety men from the associated Northern pits, cabled this niorning, they will withdraw the drivers from every pit in the State, whereby the mines will become idle immediately cutting off levies which are enabling the strikers to live without working.

ANOTHER MARCH BY AHNERS SYDNEY, Jan. 9. A special meeting of all the Aliners’ Lodges in the Newcastle district was held to-day. It was decided to bold a massed march to Rothbury Colliery “at a future date.”

SERIOUS REPORTS. OF AIJXERS MOBILISING POLICE, REINFORCEMENTS

SYDNEY, Jan. 10. Reports received from the coal-fields early this morning indicate the miners are mobilising lor a big demonstration in Rothbury to-day.

C ess nock and, Jvurri miners are reported to be preparing to leave their respective towns in order to be at Rothbury at -daybreak. A group of miners consisting of about three hundred men occupying eleven Iforriies, were within five miles of Rothbury last night. It is believed they came from Newcastle.

Officials of Rothbury police camp were busy during the night making preparations. ..Mounted police are searching the district in the vicinity of tiie camp. ' Over fifty police left in a .special train from Sydney lor ,the.:scene-short-ly after midnight in response to a request for reinforcements.