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Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 74, 20 December 1929, Page 7

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RESUMPTION OF WORK ORDERED MARCH CONDITIONS AND PAY TO BE RESTORED ACTION BY JUDGE BEEBYTO SAVE UPHEAVAL (United Press Association.— By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Rec. December 19, 8.40 p.m.) Sydney, December 19. The chief development to-day in the coal dispute was the action of Judge Beeby, in the Federal Arbitration Court, in ordering the immediate resumption of work at all the idle mines under pre-stoppage conditions and rates of pay. The legal argument occupied several hours. Counsel foy the Commonwealth Government and the Miners’ Federation produced affidavits setting forth that a grave industrial dispute exists in New South Wales and -Victoria as a result of the “miners being locked out since March 2 last.” Mr. Shand, K.C., counsel for the coalowners, contended that the court had no jurisdiction to intervene, while an officer of the State Justice Department submitted that the State Government, not being a party to any miners’ award could not now be joined as respondent in any Arbitration Court proceedings. Judge Beeby interjected: “To be quite candid, I am acting under extraordinary powers. I have formed the opinion that the only way to save the Commonwealth from a very disastrous upheaval is to restore the status quo as in March last.” He then ordered a resumption of work as from 10 a.m. to-morrow. EXPLOSIVES TAKEN FROM ’ POWDER MAGAZINE MILITANTS COLLECTING Arms SALE OF GUNS PROHIBITED Sydney, December 19. Officials of the Stanford Merthyr Colliery discovered that the powder magazine at the mine had been broken into and a case of explosives and a large number of detonators had been stolen. A Kurri message reports that the militants are collecting arms and ammunition. Police action at Cessnoek resulted in a prohibition against the sale either of guns or cartridges. AU hotels in the mining area are closed . eyen to travellers and boarders. Five una.ssociated collieries in the Cessnoek district where the miners ceased work to attend the funeral of Norman Brown, victim of the Rothbury riots, did not reopen yesterday. Strenuous efforts are being made by the moderates to have mass picketing stopped. It is understood that members of the Rothbury miners’ lodge have decided not to take an active part in any further demonstration. PICKETS AT ROTHBURY WORK PROCEEDING (Rec. December 19,10.15 p.m.) Sydney, December 19.A report from Rothbury colUery today states that the mine is again picketed, but only by a small group of local strikers. The Minister of Mines announces that work at Rothbury is proceeding uninterruptedly and satisfactorily. The police guard at the Rothbury railway has been strengthened. It was reported in Parliament today that a miner was injured in the Rothbury colliery yesterday. The Minister of Mines declared he had no knowledge of it.' The business people of the Cessnoek coalfields held a meeting to-day. It is understood they are advising the Premier to discontinue operations at Rothbury, owing to the likelihood of further serious clashes, for which the Premier will have to take full responsibility. A proposal launched at the Hyde Park demonstration on Tuesday night for a one-day strike to take place today as a protest against the Rothbury shooting was a fiasco, no workers participating from any industry in the metropolitan area. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND AMINE REPORT DENIED Sydney, December 19. It was reported in Sydney last night that the Commonwealth Government intended to commandeer a privatelyowned colliery in the Maitland field as a set-off to the State Government’s action in acquiring Rothbury colliery. The mine owners declare that the Commonwealth’s action will be tested in the Law Courts. (Rec. December 19, 10.15 p.m.) Sydney, December 19. The Commonwealth Government denies the report that it intends to commandeer one of the northern coal mines.