POLICE FIRE ON MINERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 847, 16 December 1929, Page 1

POLICE FIRE ON MINERS

F atal Clash at Colliery ROTHBURY AN ARMED CAMP One Killed, Many Injured Lnited P.A.—By Telegraph— Copyright Received 10.20 a.m. SYDNEY, Today. THE march of the miners on Rothbury commenced at midnight. Between 5,000 and 6,000 men, most of them carrying food in bags, marched past the colliery gates to a point half a mile away. There was no demonstration, apart from a few epithets being hurled at the police. The position, however is tense. A later message says the police fired on the miners, killing one and injuring many.

Police reinforcements from city, country and suburban stations are being rushed to Rothbury. An eleventh-hour move is to be made by the Federal Government and the Miners’ Federation to prevent the opening of the colliery with free labour. It is stated that action will be taken under the Federal. Arbitration Court Tor a breach of the mining award, .should free labour at reduced pay be introduced. The Minister of Mines, Mr. Weaver, is at Rothbury. He says the whistle will blow on Wednesday morning. It is intended to open two other collieries early in the New Year. The miners' leaders addressed the men and urged them not to resort to violence. A crowd of 4,000 miners early this morning rushed the police, who were forced to use revolvers. Three miners were wounded and several police injured by stones and timber in the following melee. There was another riot about 9.30 am., when the crowd tried to force its way into the mine property. Several shots were fired by the police, and it is reported that one man was killed and others injured. The Branton telegraph and telephone lines have been cut. Another 100 free labourers are due today aboard a train strongly guarded by the police. The outburst of Mr. J. H. Sculiin, the Prime Minister, in the House of Representatives at Canberra, concerning camp equipment, has not caused any concern, and the material is not being returned until other arrangements have been made. The

, State Premier. Mr. T. R. Bavin, stated : that equipment had been acquired from the National Rifle Association, as the result of a contract, and the goods had been paid for. Mr. Sculiin had stated in the House that the Federal Ministry would not sanction any organisation receiving Government grants taking part in industrial disputes. As the result of interviews with the pickets of the Miners' Union, the members of the Enginedrivers’ Union, who went to Rothbury to work there when the mine is reopened on Wednesday, left the camp on Saturday night. It is unlikely, however, that their defection will impede the programme of the New South Wales Government to have the coal coming out of the mine by the middle of the week. The police last night kept a close watch all round the camp at the Rothbury. mine iworkings, which has sprung up like a mushroom in 48 hours. It bears a military appearance, and the manager’s office looks like an army headquarters. High police officers, in stifling heat and wearing little clothing, are poring over maps showing the strategic points of the locality. The eyes of the trade union members are now on the miners’ central council, which will meet in Sydney on Tuesday, when the question of the extension of the dispute to the other States will be decided. Tho balance ] of the voting power is held by the I southern and western miners. The proposed opening of the pits at Pelton will divide the strikers’ “demon--1 stration” forces.