N.S.W. COAL CRISIS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1930, Page 5

N.S.W. COAL CRISIS

HOSTILE DEMON STR ATTON

(Australian Press Association)

SYDNEY, ’Jam 10,

Messages from the Northern Coalfields describe more hostile demonstrations by the miners, four thousand of whom, at dawn to-Jay marched to the Ashton Fields Colliery, where they encountered two non-union miners going to work. Both of these were stripsped naked, and their clothes were burned, and then they were pursued into the hush by a jeering crowd. A large proportion of strikers then commenced a march to the Rothbury Colliery, which was not reached. All the miners returned to their homes. Mounted troopers dispersed a number of hotheads who were behaving offensively in the vicinity of the Ashten Fields Colliery.

Upwards of three hundred Returned Soldiers participated at the head of this morning’s procession of the miners, and they sang war songs and drilled in the most approved military fashion. They hooted the police. The situation at Kurrikurri, at R-othbuirv and at Maitland is extremely tense.

At a special meeting of the New South Wales Cabinet to-day, the Premier, Air Bavin, said that the Government was fully alive to the grave danger to life arising from the morning’s development. He emphasised that, at all costs, life and (property siloed be protected.

The Premier added: “Wo shall not ho deflected in the slightest degree from our purpose by any actual or threatened violence.’’

COMPULSORY CONFERENCE

FOR ALL OWNERS AND MINERS

MELBOURNE, Jan. 9

Judge Doth ridge to-day granted an application of the Coal Miners’ Federation for a compulsory conference with the coal ownnrs regarding the miners’ new log. The conference is fixed for January 20th.