COMMONWEALTH MOVE

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 148, 19 December 1929, Page 9

COMMONWEALTH MOVE

TO COMMANDEER COLLIERY

BAVIN'S REPLY TO SCULLIN

(Received :19th December, 9 a.m.)

SYDNEY, This Day. It was reported in Sydney last night that the Commonwealth Government intends to commandeer a privately-owned colliery in the Maitland field as a. setoff to the State Government's action in acquiring Eothbury Colliery. The mine owners declare that the Commonwealth's action will bo tested in the Law Courts. >

Judge Beeby announced yesterday that owing to the coal mine owners having rejected the Federal Government's proposals, which were submitted to the compulsory conference on Tuesday, ho had referred the dispute into the Federal Arbitration Court. The hearing begins to-day.

SNUB TO SCULLIN,

The State Premier, Mr. Bavin, replying to the Prime Minister's criticism to the effect that the New South Wales Government was acting in a provocative manner, said: "I am responsible for my actions, not to • the Prime Minister, but to the people of New South Wales. Therefore, .1 do not think it is desirable to engage in a Press controversy with Mr. Seullin, since we both have very heavy responsibilities at the present time." The chief aaily newspapers in Sydney endorse Mr. Bavin's attitude, and declare that the Government coal plans must go ahead, irrespective of threats of violence and lawlessness.

WORK AT EOTHBURY,

Work is proceeding smoothly at the Rothbury colliery. Whether the railway drivers will haul the coal from the mino to Sydney, a distanco of 130 miles, remains to be seen. The railway men have not yet inada. known their attitude. The fact remains that they have already transported free labour from Sydney to the mine, and their union so far has made no public protest.

The police have obtained evidenco that miners at Kurri and other portions of the Maitland coalfields are attempting to obtain arms and ammunition. Miners were forestalled when they sought to gain possession of military rifles at the local drill hall. The bolts" had already been officially removed from- the rifles. A large quantity of ammunition has been sent to the police camp at the Rothbury colliery.