MASS PICKETING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20901, 16 December 1929, Page 11

MASS PICKETING

THE ROTHBURY COALFIELD. MEN SEETHING WITH ANGER. TROUBLE DEVELOPING. (United Press Association.} (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) _ SYDNEY, December 14. Stirred by the preparations of the State Government to open the Rothbury mine, all the coalfields are seething with an<mr Speakers are making passionate appeals to the men to remain solid. Others are urging the miners to march in a bodv to Rothbury and drive out the volun teers from the mine. Tim miners' unions on the northern fields have decided on mass picketing It is expected that 5000 men will be on picket duty at Rothbury on Monday. The Government is now making' ar rangements to man the Felton, Richmond, and Pelawmain collieries with free labour. , The Australian Labour Party’s executive endorsed the policy of the Labour Council for .an extension of the strike and pledged its mor.-.l and financial support. The decision will be binding on the Labour members from New South Wales, who are in a majority in the ■befleral Labour caucus. The Federal Government has been informed that certain camp equipment which was furnished to the New South Wales Government by the National Rifle Association would be withdrawn imme diately. Mr Scullin stated in the House that the Ministry could not sanction any organisation receiving Government grants taking part in industrial disputes. EXTENSION OF DISPUTE. MATTER RESTS WITH COUNCIL. SYDNEY, December 15. (Received Dec. 15, at 5.5 p.m.) ■As the result of interviews by pickets of the Miners’ Union, members of the Engine Drivers’ Union.who went to Rotnbury to work there when the mine is reopened on Wednesday left camp last night. It is unlikely, however, that their defection will impede the programme of the State Government to have coal coming out of the mine by the middle of the week. It is reported that the strikers intend to mass 8000 to 10,000 men about Rothbury on Monday morning with the idea of “demonstrating” the free labourers out of the camp. The police last night kept a close wateli all round the Rothbury mine workings and the camp, which has sprung up like a mushroom during 48 hours. It bears a military appearance, and the manager’s ’office looks like an army headquarters. High police officers, in stifling heat and with little clothing on, are poring over maps which show strategic points in the locality. The eyes of the trade union movement are now on the Miners’ Central Council, which will meet in Sydney on Tuesday, when the question of extension of the dispute to the other States will be decided. The balance of voting power is held by the southern and western miners. The proposed opening of the pits at Pelton will divide the strikers’ " demonstration ” forces.