NO COAL TRUCKED AWAY FROM ROTHBURY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18959, 3 January 1930, Page 1

NO COAL TRUCKED AWAY FROM ROTHBURY.

GENERAL UPHEAVAL PREDICTED IN COURT. (United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) SYDNEY, January 2. Matters are still quiet on the coalfields. No coal has yet been trucked away from Rothbury, pending the result of the railwaymen’s ballot on the subject of whether the union of railwaymen should handle non-union coaL Rothbury is picketed by strikers who are in no way aggressive. The High Court proceedings testing the validity of Mr Justice Beeby’s order for the resumption of work at the idle collieries at pre-stoppage rates, is still in progress, and considerable evidence is being taken. Among to-day’s witnesses was David Davies, General Secretary of the Miners’ Federation, who deposed that the railway employees would refuse to haul coal from Rothbury, that the Seamen’s Union would refuse to handle it, and that there was likely to be a general upheaval in Australia. MINERS JUST PAWNS IN DIABOLICAL GAME. j PREACHER BITTERLY attacks politicians. (Special to the “ Star.”) SYDNEY, December 23. Speaking with great emotion, the Rev D. F. Brandt, of Chalmers Presbyterian Church, in a reference before his sermon to the coal trouble, last night declared that the miners were being used as pawns in a diabolical game between politicians, mine owners, and industrial red-raggers. He strongly supported the appeal foi the appointment of a Peace Commissioner—an independent, upright and courageous man prepared to measure out justice and fairness to all parties concerned, and bring about peace in the coal industry. “I cannot remain in this pulpit listening to your singing of Christmas carols, and myself giving out the message of peace and goodwill,” said the Rev Brandt, “without expressing my convictions. “This country ought to hang its head in shame, knowing that at this Christmas season there is open warfare and bloodshed—Government against Government, and man against man. “It is the biggest and bloodiest tra gedy of our time. “If there is any Christianity in the Church—if the Church is not to play the part of coward—it will rise up in a body and declare that this trouble, with its starvation and its bloodshed, shall cease. “No help will come from our politicians. One party is no better than the other—they are all playing for votes, while mothers and children are starving. “Scullin, Bavin, Theodore—all that concerns any of them is political strength for future elections. Such is the rottenness and hypocrisy of party politics.

“I am convinced,” Mr Brandt continued, “that the State Government has made a tragic blunder. . . . The whole thing stinks in the nostrils of decent men and women. “While I raise my voice against the attacks made upon our police, no man will ever convince me that it is the spirit of the great body of miners and working men of this country to smash down and batter officers of the law. “In the name of God,” pleaded Mr Brandt, “is there no way of bringing to justice the slinking cowards and be- 1 trayers of the working-class who urged and incited these otherwise peaceful men to acts of violence? “The country cries for vengeance. “I would say, ‘Out with your politicians, parasites, and hypocrites, and let one strong man be chosen—a man in whom the country has confidence, and who is trusted, and above suspicion. Let him handle the whole question, and say what is a fair thing for the coal owners, the miners, and the public. “ Then there might come an end to this withering, miserable, battering, crushing malice which has sunk this State in the mire of degradation.”