MORE UNREST.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1384, 9 March 1912, Page 5

MORE UNREST.

NEWCASTLE STRIKE FEARED, ABOLITION OF A SHIFT. Si Telaerapn— Pmi A«»oc|atl«n-CoDjrl«lit Sydnoy, March 8. Disruption Tins occurred between the Newcastle colliery' proprietors and tho mon. Before the Newcastle Conciliation , Committee, the proprietors flatly stated they would not allow the question of the abolition of tho afternoon shift to come before the committee for settlement. ■ The miners at Nowcnstle and Maitlnnd have been months agitating for abolition of the afternoon shift, contending that it k irksome and robs them of the most advantageous period of the evening. The proprietors contend that abolition of the shift would make it impossible to work the pits efncionfJy., The proprietors' announcement caused consternation amongst the men's representatives. The committee adjourned sine die. An atmosphere of unrest prevails, and a general strike is regarded as not unlikely. The Newcastle colliery employers and employees decided at tho beginning of the month to establish a joint Conciliation Committee for the purpose of settling disputes. ■-Mγ. Charles Hihble was appointed chairman. For some time past there has been considerable dissatisfaction in tho Newcastle mining district at tho delays involved in submitting disputes to the State Arbitration , Court. Lately it was suggested that a. committee representing both miners and'coalowners should bo set up, and all disputes m referred to it. The idea was cordially taken up, but a difficulty arose as to the selection of a chairman. The owners desired that an outsider, preferably a judge, (should be appointed. The miners did not fall in with this, and proposed that the selection of the chairman should be left to the State Government. THE BRISBANE TROUBLE. DECEEE BY THE HIGH COURT. Melbourne, March 8. The Federal High Court has granted an order nisi preventing the enforcement of (he ' Commonwealth Arbitration Court i:-ward in the Brisbane tramway strike ifise as to the wearing of union badges by the men. The order is returnable at next sitting of the Court. STEAMERS STILL HELD UP. Brisbane, March' 8. Tho wharf labourers have declined to work the steamers Burrmnbeet, Terrier, and Wodonga, on which free labour has been employed. The companies regard the unionists's attitude as one of victimisation, despite the understanding that there would be none on either side.