MINING DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 82, 31 December 1929, Page 9

MINING DISPUTE

ANXIETY AT ROTHBURY SENSATIONAL STORIES ATTITUDE OF RAILWAYMEN (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Rec. December 30, 7.50 p.m.) Sydney, December 30. News from the Rothbury locality today suggests a feeling of anxiety. Stories of an armed battalion of militant miners descending on the mine compound to drive out the volunteer workmen created consternation in the little town of Branxton, but the rumours have not been confirmed, and model ate men are known to be doing their utmost to keep the strikers pacified, pending the Full Court’s decision in the award challenge next week. The police do not credit the wiki statements about men being armed when the next clash with the authorities comes. Pickets to-day patrolled the roads passing the Rothbury mine property, but all is quiet in the mine itself. There is wonderment as to when the coal trucks are going to move. The Australian Railways Union will take a ballot to decide whether coal from Rothbury will be hauled. The union also passed a resolution imposing a weekly levy of one shilling on all members for the support of the idle Northern miners. COAL AWARD CHALLENGE (Rec. December 30, 7.50 p.m.) Sydney, December 30. Mr. Justice Rich proceeded with the hearing of the coal award challenge application, counsel agreeing to carry on as if the whole case had been heard by him. The Commonwealth Government’s right of intervention was allowed, after long argument, the Judge rioting an objection by counsel for the Northern Collieries, Limited.