ARMED MINERS READY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 859, 31 December 1929, Page 1

ARMED MINERS READY

Ominous Signs at Rothbury MEN SWORN-IN TO FIGHT Coal Trucks Not Yet Moved United I*.A.—By Telegraph—Copiniyht Received 11 a m. NEWCASTLE, Today GRIM reports that the miners are organising in secret for an armed return to Rothbury are again circulating in the coalfields. The “Herald” says that some early morning in the near future yvill see the arrival of a band of picked men at tingates of the mine, according to reports from interested quarters.

“I have been sworn in today if necessary,” was- the remarkable statement of one of the South Maitland Lodge members while discussing the position. The same man declared that despite the police search of miners’ homes, he still had a gun. Others were similarly placed. “I am under a vow to be there when events begin,” was another man’s declaration. One miner declared, after warning a pressman to avoid Rothbury as. a dangerous locality for the next few weeks, that the public would know al! about the Labour Defence Corps before the coalfields quietened down. An earlier message said that stories of an armed battalion of militant miners descending on the mine compound to drive out the volunteer workers created consternation in the little town of Branxton, but these rumours have not been confirmed. Moderate men are known to be doing their utmost to keep the miners pacified pending the Full Court’s decision on the challenged award next ‘week. The police do not credit a wild statement about the men being armed when the next clash with the authorities occurs. Pickets today patrolled the roads

near the Rothbury mine, but all is quiet in the mine itself. There is curiosity as to when tho coal trucks are to be moved. TO HELP COMRADES UNIONISTS LEVIED COURT HEARS DISPUTE SYDNEY, Monday. The members of the Australian Railways Union are to hold a ballot ro decide whether coal from the Rothbury mine shall be hauled. The union also has passed a resolution imposing a weekly levy of ono shilling on all members for the support of the idle miners on the northern fields. Mr. Justice Rich today proceeded with the hearing of the application challenging the coalminers’ award. Counsel agreed to carry on as if tho entire case had been heard by his Honour. The right of the Commonwealth: Government to intervene was allowed after long argument, the judge noting the objection made by counsel for the Northern Collieries, Ltd.