EXPLOSIVES UNDER MAT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 878, 23 January 1930, Page 1

EXPLOSIVES UNDER MAT

Police Disturbed at Kurri Hotel

BIG ROUND-UP OF MINERS

Labour Conference Indicts Government

United PA. —By Telegraph—Copyright Received 11.15 a.m. SYDNEY, Today. rE police are inquiring into the discovery of three detonators found under the door-mat in the hotel where the police are staying at Kurri. A sensation was caused at Weston, when seven men, prominent officials of the Hebhurn Miners’ Dodges, were arrested and later charged at Kurri with intimidation. A conference of Labour representatives censures the Federal Government for its leniency and inability to settle the strike.

Tho arrested men were later released on bail. The action was taken under the amended Crimes Act. More arrests are expected. The police yesterday visited a dozen homes in Cessnoek, searching for arms and ammunition. A conference of 40 Labour representatives was held in the Sydney Trades Hall this evening, at which one Federal Minister was present. It was resolved to insist that the Federal Government intervene in the coal dispute, and proclaim a state of national emergency, disarm and remove the police, and seize a few of the richest and largest mines, and work them with union labour at current rates. One speaker suggested that the policy of the Labour Party at the next State elections should include a plank for the socialisation of the coal mines without compensation. GOVERNMENT ATTACKED In a resolution of censure upon the Federal Labour Ministry, the conference expressed the opinion that the Government was lacking in firmness, initiative, and ability to deal with the coal dispute. The resolution demanded that the Federal Government should prosecute the coal owners with the utmost rigour of the law, and that a prohibitive duty should be struck on coal imports. It is stated officially that no further mines will be opened yet by the State Government. The miners on the coalfields yesterday were quiet. At the Maitland Police Court today Mr. Reed, S.M., imposed substantial fines on the miners who were involved in the riots at Rothbury on December 16, and in the tearing up of the Branxton railway line. Seventeen defendants were each fined £2O, in default three months’

imprisonment, and two others £lO each, in default two months’ imprisonment. The evidence showed that some of the defendants had been armed with stout “waddies,” and that they were actually the ringleaders in the disturbances.