MINERS ROUTED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 81, 16 January 1930, Page 5

MINERS ROUTED

CLASHES WITH POLICE.

STRIKERS RUN FOR LIVES.

SUCCESSFUL BATON CHARGES

United Press Association —Copyright.) SYDNEY, January 15.

Altogether four gatherings of miners in the coalfields were broken up by the police to-day. The most sensational scenes wore witnessed. The police, who were greatly outnumbered but splendidly organised, were led by Superintendent Beatty. They swooped down on massed gatherings at different points miles apart, travelling' in commandeered motor-lor-ries, omnibuses and cars. At no place were they more* than 150 strong. The miners’, numbers, on the other hand, varied from 1000 to 0000. Rarely did the minors show fight, some, when at a safe distance, hurled stones and insults.--The majority, however, scampered away from the police batons as fast as their logs could carry them, vaulting fences, taking cover in private homes, even up the chimneys. “Defence Corps” Routed. The rout of the "Labour Defence Corps was no less complete. The men sought shelter everywhere. During the earlier combats, a few* of the older miners,' who were unable to ieach safety, fell before the police charge, receiving wounded heads and gashed faces. Later they lay stretched out in a group near the Kearsley public school, where'local doctors and the wives of the miners attended to their injuries. The police arrested 10 miners’ leaders, and also took the names of 60 men yesterday, who were drilling with the defence corps. These and others will forthwith be deprived of their Government food orders. Feeling on the coalfields is naturally very bitter at the moment, but the police are of opinion that they will soon have the back of the resistance broken. Fight to a Finish.

The Minister of Mines (Mr G. Weaver) lias announced that the issue will be fought to a finish. He added: “The position will soon come when responsible members of the community will be asked to oppose the violence of drilled mobs.”

The Premier (Mr T. R. Bavin) has telegraphed to the Prime Minister (Mr J. H. Seullin) asking him whether he intends to take any action to suppress the so-called Labour Defence Corps.

CLASH NEAR CESSNOCK.

ILLEGAL ASSEMBLY BROKEN. SYDNEY, January 15. A serious clash between the police and 2500 miners occurred near Cessnock. A party of 100 constables interrupted the Th’arch of the men on the South Maitland field towards the Abermain No. 2 mine, where pumping operations were being continued by the stall. A number, of women participated' in the march.

When the miners were near Abermain, they found their progress cut off by the police, who charged the approaching demonstrators with batons drawn. No guns were produced. Several men in the front rank of the miners received nasty injuries, and two were felled to the ground. In the face of this determined police charge the miners scattered into the tliieki scrub and dispersed into many small sections, who gradually melted awav homeward.

The men complained of the sudden attack by the police, and said that their march was intended only as a peaceful demonstration. It was pointed out that under the Massed Picketing Act the assembling of men in groups is illegal, and today’s move was the first to break up big meetings. « Besides the dozen men injured, three arrests were made. Another contingent of 1500 men marched to Stanford Merthyr Colliery, but no demonstration or clashes with police have been reported.

SPECIAL CONSTABULARY.

STRIKE REVEALS SAVAGERY. (Received This Day, 9.55 n.m.) SYDNEY, This Daw. The Premier (Mr T. R. Bavin) and the Minister of Mines (Mr Weaver) indicated that volunteers might shortly be called for a special constabulary-to co-operate with the police on the coalfields. Mr Bavin leaves for Melbourne tonight to discuss with the Prime Minister (Mr J. H. Seullin) the question of suppressing the so-called Labour Defence Corps. Ten of 21 miners’ lodges in the West have passed a resolution favouring an : ‘all-out” policy. Other lodges are expected to adopt a similar course. Mr Seullin, addressing a deputation of miners at Melbourne, said: ‘‘l still believe that force, used by any side, will not bring a solution to, this vexed problem. I firmly believe that a just settlement can he arrived at along lines of conciliation. I am making a further effort in that direction.” Dispensing with conferences, Mr Seullin has initiated discussions with the Premier and the eoalowners to prevent further trouble on the - coalfields. In a speech over the wireless. Mr Bavin declared that tlie miners’ demonstrations could be described only as civil war on the community. This warfare had been characterised by acts of brutality that disgraced Australia throughout the world. Attributing the trouble entirely to militants, revolutionaries and Communists, the Premier said .it revealed violence and savagery unparalleled in New South. Wales history, except during the timber strike, when the same influences had operated.

DEVELOPMENTS AWAITED.

MINERS MAY ATTACK

SYDNEY, January 15

Latest reports from the coalfields state that many of the pickets were armed with stout sticks and stones, but so great was their confusion that no serious resistance was offered. Future developments cannot be predicted. Some people believe that today’s notable police victories will mean the absolute end of mass picketing

Others, however, claim that the men are so incensed that they will next march on the police,-, properly armed. It is agreed, nevertheless, that the next few days will mean some definite turn towards the complete termination of the dispute. The mine-owners have insured tlie collieries tt stiff premiums.