THREAT TO POLICE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 875, 20 January 1930, Page 1

THREAT TO POLICE

“Marked Men For All Time” MORE TROUBLE AT SYDNEY Meetings Dispersed With Batons Received 11.30 a.m. SYDNEY, Today. IN a speech at Cessnock, Mr. James, a member of Parliament, said the police would be marked men for all time if they wanted blood. He added: “The members of the Police Force should throw away arms and batons, meet the miners in equal numbers and fight with their fists.”

The conference of the parties to the coalmining dispute convened by the Prime Minister has proved abortive. Mr. Bavin is returning to Sydney tomorrow to attend a special meeting of the New South Wales Cabinet, which will develop plans for the reopening of additional coalmines with volunteer labour. ,* The correspondence which massed between the New South Wales Premier, Mr. T. R. Bavin, and the Federal Prime Minister, Mr. J. H. Scullin, regarding the Labour Defence Army, has been published. Mr. Bavin asked the Prime Minister to issue a proclamation under the Crimes Act forbidding the drilling of persons in the use of arms or iu military exercises. Mr. Scullin, in reply, said there was nothing to show that the New South Wales police force was inadequate for the maintenance of order. Mr. Bavin said the police force was adequate, but would be greatly assisted by the issue of a proclamation. The State Government has now decided to take action to secure the suppression of the organisation on the ground that it is illegal. POLICE RUSH MEETINGS There was a remarkable scene at the Domain yesterday, when the Workers’ Defence Army, in endeavouring to stage a demonstration against the police control of the coalfields, was scattered by swift police rushes. Banners were captured and destroyed in view of thousands of spectators. From the tops of police cars, officers cried directions to their men, and the crowds dispersed before repeated charges. Mr. J. O’Brien, formerly organiser of the Volunteer Timber Workers’ Association, had his stand at the Domain overturned, and he was being severely manhandled when he was rescued by the police. About 50 Communists assembled

outside the Sydney Trades Hal! today with the object of enlisting members of the “Workers’ Defence Corps.” The Kurri coalfield pipers’ bandsmen gathered to head a procession through the streets, but the police suppressed the procession. Thereupon the crowd went into the Trades Hall, where a resolution was carried pledging themselves to form a workers’ army to combat the tactics of the employers in every sphere. RAILWAYMEN CUT NO STATE MONEY FOR WORKS SYDNEY, Sunday. Retrenchment in the railway services has been responsible for the retirement or dismissal of 2,000 employees in the past four months. Now it is announced that scores of other men must go. beoause the Government cannot raise funds to continue its works policy.