N.S.W. COAL TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 21 January 1930, Page 5

N.S.W. COAL TROUBLE

POLICE CHARGES

ON SYDNEY- DEMONSTRATORS

(Australian Press Association)

SYDNEY, January 20

There was a remarkable scene at Domain yesterday, when the AVoikeis Defence Army were endeavouring to tage a demonstration against the police control of the coalfields. They were scattered by swift police rushes. Then banners were captured and destroyed in the view of thousands of

spectators. From the tops of police ears, the officers cried direction to their men, and the crowds dispersed before the repeated charge of the police. Mr .1. O’Brien, who formerly was the Organiser of the Volunteer Timber Workers’ Association, had his stand at the Domain overturned and was being severely manhandled when rescued by the police. POLICE; MARKED MEN. SYDNEY, January 20. Air James Federal M.P. in a .speech at Cassnock, aid that the police would be marked men ‘for all time. If they wanted blood, Mr James added, the members of the, police force should throw away their arms and batons, and should meet the miners in equal numbers and fight with their fists.

SCULLTN’S REFUSAL

TO JOIN IN COERCION.

SYDNEY, January 20,

Correspondence bewteen the N.S.AY. Premier (Mr T. Bavin) and Mr I. H. Scullin (Federal' Prime Minister) regarding the Labour Defence Army lias been published. Air Bavin asked the Prime Alinister to issue a proclamation under the Crimes Act, forbidding the drilling of persons in the use of arms or in military exercises. Mr Steullin replied that there was nothing to show that the New .South AVales police force was adequate but that they would he greatly assisted by the issue of a proclamation.

The New South Wales Government has now decided to take action to secure the suppression of the Miners’ Defence Organisation, on the ground that it is illegal.

DUMPS OF ’AMMUNITION,

POSITION QUIET YESTERDAY

(Received this day at 10 a.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 21

The police flying squad on the coalfields discovered a dump of several hundred' rounds of ammunition and a quantity of gelignite detonators in the fecrub at Kurri. It is thought to be part of recent thefts from the mines.

Police are now on duty at most of the pits. All was quiet on the coalfields yesterday. An attempt at''the railway by Sydney Communists failed to raise any enthusiasm.

The defence army appears to have been disbanded. No parades have taken place for a while.

ROTHBURY RIOT,

(Received this day at 8 0.m.) SYDNEY, January 21

A sensational story of Rothbury riot when one miner was killed, was told at Maitland Court to-day when eleven Miors were charged with having, on December 16 taken part in an unlawful assembly and having torn up Branxton railway line.

The Magistrate decided to deal with them separately, Edward Auburn was convicted and fined £o in default, a month’s imprisonment. Police evidence was to the effect that revolver bullets were first fired from the crowd which stormed the colliery. Several thousand men with sticks and atones uttering the vilest threats tried in vain to reach the volunteer workers, “Let’s kill Weaver” (who is Minister of Mines) was a notable threat