COALFIELDS TROUBLE.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17918, 14 January 1930, Page 7

COALFIELDS TROUBLE.

MINERS’ THREATS. COLLIERIES TO BE RUINED. STATE GOVERNMENT AROUSED. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel.—Copyright. SYDNEY, January 13. A message from Newcastle says a reign of terror is developing on the northern coalfields. The police cannot trace all the meetings of the miners. It is openly stated to-day that every mine on the Lower Maitland coalfields will be picketed to-morrow and that an attempt will be made forcibly to evict the employees and ruin the mines. The owners of the Dudly and Burwood mines, fearing the worst, have appealed to the police to provide adequate protection. The coroner at Maitland, instead of continuing the inquest to-day into the death of Norman Brown, who was killed in the clash with the police at Rothbury on December 16, announced that he would adjourn it until February 10. He said further publication of the details might make matters worse, owing to the ill-feeling on the coalfields. A very large crowd of unemployed miners had gathered in the precincts of the courthouse. They had intended to make a dem'onstration against the police. The New South Wales' Government has decided to take drastic action in order to prevent demonstrations by miners on the coalfields. Men who take part in such assemblies or who obstruct the police will be denied food relief orders henceforth.

Also the police have been reinforced and instructed to prevent mass, picketing or unauthorised drilling. The Premier, Mr T. R. Bavin, stated to-day that he had been advised that large numbers of law-abiding miners were compelled by threats to take part in these demonstrations. These men were threatened variously with personal violence, deprivation of the strikers’ dole or with the burning of their houses.