CLASH WITH POLICE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 583, 8 February 1929, Page 9

CLASH WITH POLICE

MINERS IN MONMOUTHSHIRE

HEADS BROKEN BY BATONS (Australian and N.Z. Press Assoi-us i (United Servicei LONDON, Thursday A clash occurred at the Nine Mile Point Oolliery, Monmouth shire, between a crowd of idle miners, accompanied by women, and the police. Owing to a dispute with the vo. :- mine owners the majority of the miners had _ refused to work in tin property. Four men. however, resumed work. When these men \\« going to the pit this morning nearlx 1,0.00 men. women and boys, assembl' d and jeered at them, calling them “blacklegs.” Thirty or 40 policemen surrounded the four workers and the crowd rushed them. The police charged with drawn batons and many of the demonstrators went away with their heads bleeding. The hostile crowd had awaited the coming of the four miners and their police escort. Some of them climbed trees and gave the signal when the miners were approaching. More policemen were rushed td the scene to rein force the escorting party. All were crushed together in .» narrow street. The chief constable only gave the order to the police to us. their batons when the escort could not force a way through the mob. A wild rush followed. Many men fell and a few women were hurt tn the stampede. Several volleys of stones were flung at the police, who pressed forward usinfc their batons until they had dispersed the whole crowd. One constable and 20 or 30 civilians were injured. Most of them suffered cuts on their heads. CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE The dispute was referred to in i ** House of Commons to-day. The Minister of Labour, Sir Arthur St eelMaitland, said the Nine Mile Point Colliery was closed down on November 3. The dispute arose in connection with the non-payment of unemployment benefit. An umpire decided the point in favour of the miners. Then the employers, on January 25, offered amended terms to the miners individually. A few accepted, but the majority refused the terms, after which the unemployment insurance officer in tin district refused to distribute doles His reason was that the men had r< - jected an offer of employment. In that connection the miners were appealing. Mr. T. Shaw, Labour member for Preston: Is there any evidence that there is a body of unemployed miners in South Wales who are unwilling to work?

The Minister: I have no evidence of that kind. All the evidence will be heard by the committee which is considering the question of unemployment benefits.

Mr. J. R. dynes, labour member for Platting, Manchester: Is not the stoppage due to the owners refusing to meet the Miners’ Federation.

The member was requested to giv notice of his question. The Parliamentary correspondent o! the “Daily Express” states that the question of relief for miners in the distressed areas was discussed by tin Cabinet. As a result steps are to be taken to expedite the distribution of grants from the Lord Mayor's fund.

COAL OUTPUT INCREASES

EXPORT SHORTAGE STILL British Official Wireless RUGBY. Thursday. It was stated in the House of Commons by the Minister of Mines. Sir Arthur Steel-Maitland, that the weekly output of coal in Britain is now 500,009 tons above that of October, owing to a considerable increase in the demand. However, there is a shortage of coal for export, which Is causing some delay to ships, mainly on tin-north-east coast and in South Wales. If this increased demand continued, said Sir Arthur, he had no doubt that by opening up the pits now closed the demand would be met.