ANXIETY ON COALFIELDS

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1929, Page 9

ANXIETY ON COALFIELDS

TALES OF ARMED STRIKERS STATE RIGHT TO INTERVENE , JI AWARD CHALLENGE CASE By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Rec. 7.50 p.m. Sydney, Dec. 30. Mr. Justice Rich proceeded to-day with the hearing of the coal award challenge application, counsel agreeing to carry on as if the whole case, which was commenced before the Chief Justice, had been heard by Mr. Rich. The Commonwealth Government’s right of intervention was allowed after a long argument, the judge noting an objection by the counsel for the Northern Colliers, Limited. News from the Rothbury locality today suggests a feeling of anxietyi 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 the moderate men are known to be doing their utmost to keep the strikers pacified pending the Full Court's decision on the award challenge next week. The police do not credit the wild statements about the men “being armed ! when the next clash with the authorities comes.” Pickets to-day patrolled roads passing the Rothbury mine property but all is quiet in the mine itself. There is wonderment as to when 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 has passed a resolution imposing a weekly levy of one shilling on all members for the support of the idle northern miners.