N.S.W. COAL TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1930, Page 5

N.S.W. COAL TROUBLE

SUPPRESSION OF PICKETS. (Australian Press Association) SYDNEY, Jan. 15. (The police this morning took determined action to suppress mass picketing on the- northern fields. Pickets, gathered along the road from Kurri to Paxton, were dispersed by baton churges. A number of arrests were made.

. PREMIER BAVIN. INTENTION TO UPHOLD LAW AND ORDER. i SYDNEY, Jan. 15. Premier Bavin to-night broadcasted a speech on the coal dispute. He traced the history of all the futile attempts to settle it and finally referred to the outbreak of violence and intimidation of the safety men. He said matters had reached a stage when the Government intended to go the full length for the preservation of laWi and order, and the protection of the lives and ( property of the people. He hoped that ordinary agencies would be sufficient for this purpose, but if it proved inadequate, “we shall not hesitate to call upon law abiding citizens to give us the help necessary to ensure this ,part of Australia shall not pass into the hands, of the avowed enemies of law and order.”

BATON ATTACKS. POLICE PLAN TO BREAK UP MEETINGS. SYDNEY, January 15. To-day a more serious clash between the police and twenty-five hundred miners, occurred near Cessnock A party of one hundred police constables interrupted the men’s march on the South Maitland field towards the Abermain Number Two Mind, where pumping is being continued by the staff.

A number of women participated in the march of the miners. When the miners were near Abermain, they found that their progress was cut off by the police, who changed the approaching demonstrators with their batons drawn. No guns were produced. Several of the front rankers of the miners received nasty injuries, and two of the,m were felled to the ground. In the face of this determined police charge, the miners then scattered into thick, scrub, and they dispersed into many small sections, who gradually melted away homeward. The miners complain of the sudden attack made by the police. 1 The miners say that their march was intended only as a peaceful demonstration. ,It is pointed out that under the Massed Picketing Act,, the assembling of men in groups is illegal. To-day’s move is the first one to break up big meetings. There were a dozen men injured. Three arrests were made.

Instructions to withhold food relief from the law-breakers have been issued.

ANOTHER DEMONSTRATION. PROVES PEACEFUL. /SYDNEY, January 15. Another contingent of fifteen hundred to-day of the miners marched to Stanford Merthyr Colliery, but no demonstration or clashes with the police are reported there.

FOUR POLICE ATTACKS. ON MINER’S GATHERINGS. SYDNEY, January 15. Altogether four of the coal miners’ gathering in the coalfields were broken up by the police forces to-day. Most sensational scenes were witnessed. The police, while greatly outnumbered, were splendidly organised. They ■were led by Superintendent Beatty. They swooped down on the men’s massed gatherings at different points, miles apart. The police travelled thither in commandeered motor lorries, omnibuses and cars. At no place were the police force more than one hundred and fifty strong. The miners’ numbers, on the other hand, varied from one thousand to three thousand. Rarely did the miners show fight. Some men, when at a safe distance hurled some stones and insults. The majority, however, scampered an ay from the police batons as fast as their legs could carry them, vaulting fences and takng cover in private homes, and even going up chimneys. The rout by the police of' the Labour Defence Corps was no less complete. The men sought shelter everywhere.

During the earlier combats a few of the older miners were unable to reach safety. These men, fell before the police charge, with wounded heads and gashed faces. They were later stretched out in a group near the Kearsley Public School, where the local doctors and the wves of the miners attended to their injuries.

The police have arrested ten of the miners’ leaders. Th police also took the names of sixty of the men yesterday who were drilling with the Miners’ Defence Corps. These men and others will forthwith be deprived of their Government food orders. The feeling on the coalfields naturally is very bitter at the moment. The police are of the opinion ' that they will soon have the back of the miners’ resistance broken.

MR BAVIN’S ENQUIRY. ' SYDNEY, January 15. The Premier, Mr Bavin, has tele graphed to the Federal Prime Minister, Mr Jas, H. Scullin, asking bin whether he intends to take any action to suppress the so-called Labour Defence Corps. THE OBJECT ON VIEW. SYDNEY, January 15. Future developments on the northern coalfields cannot be predicted. Some people believe that to-day’s notable police victories will mean an absolute end of massed picketing, while others claim that the men have been so incensed to-day that they will next march on the police properly armed. It is agreed however, that the next few days will mean some definite turn towards a complete termination of the dispute. Ihe mine owners have insured their collieries at stiff premiums.

NO RESISTANCE. TO POLICE. 1 SYDNEY, Jnuary 15. Tim hi test reports from the con Ifields state that many pickets were armed with stout -sticks and stones, but so great was their confusion that no serious resistance was offered. AIR BAVIN’S ACTION. SYDNEY, Jan. 16. Premier Bavin and the Minister of Mines (Mr Weaver) indicated that volunteers might shortly be called for special constabulary to co-operate with the police on the coal fields. Air Bavin leaves for Melbourne tor night to discuss with the Prime Minister (Mr Scullin) the question of suppressing the so-called Labour Defence Corps.

MINERS’ LODGE DECISION. SYDNEY, Jan. 16. Ten of twenty-one miners’ lodges in the west have passed resolutions favouring an all out policy. Other lodges are expected to adopt a similar course. AIR SCULL,IN’S HOPES. SYDNEY, Jan. 16. Air Scullin, addressing a deputation of miners at Ale!bourne, said “I still believe force used by any side will not bring a solution of this vexed problem. I firmly believe a just settlement can be arrived at along lines of conciliation. I am making a further effort in that direction.” Dispensing with conferences, Air Scullin has initiated discussions with the Premier and coal owners to prevent further trouble on the coalfields.

STATEMENT BY MR BAVIN. AUSTRALIA DISGRACED. SYDNEY, Jan. 16. In a speech over the wireless, Mr Bavin declared ihe miners’ demonstrations could be described only as civil war on the community. This warfare has, been characterised by acts of brutality that have disgraced Australia throughout the world. Attributing the trouble entirely to militant revolutionaries and communists, the Premier said it revealed a violence and savagery unparalleled in New South Wales’ history, except during the timber strike when the same influences had operated.