N.S.W. COAL TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1930, Page 5

N.S.W. COAL TROUBLE

N.S.W. GOVERNMENT ACTION

(Australian Press Association)

SYDNEY, Feb. 20,

Tt, is rumoured that though tliey were by the Magistrates acquitted, Mr Badeley and Mr Jones (Labour members of Parliament for Newcastle districts), will probably hear more of the matter of the prosecutions against them on a charge of using words insulting to the police on the Northern coalfields The New South Wales Chief Secretary is calling for reports on the ease. He says that it was a most extraordinary verdict, and that, in the interests of justice, the matter cannot lie allowed to remain where it is. Apparently out of the three members of the Court, one found the charge proved, and the other two decider] to dismiss the case. It is strange that Justices of the Peace should sit on the Bench in the circumstances.

It is pointed out that the two Justices in question are Presidents of branches of the Australian Labour Party. It is officially explained that outside Stipendiary Magistrates’ districts, any Justice of the Peace lias the right to sit on the Bench with the Police Magistrate, and in such eases the verdict goes by the majority. .

ARMY OF POLICE

SYDNEY, Feb. 20

The despatch and maintenance of 379 extra police on the Maitland coalfields since Dec. Ist. has cost the Government £II,OOO.