NEWCASTLE COLLIERIES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2082, 7 January 1908, Page 2

NEWCASTLE COLLIERIES.

THE SPECIAL COURT. United Press Association —Copyrighi NEWCASTLE, Jan. 5. Tho colliery proprietors place the ulioie of the troubles before a special Court to-dav. It is feared that unless the mine]-, show a conciliatoryattitude the proprietors wjlj.. draw from the C&uri. -MOST MINES WORKING. ARGUMENT BEFORE THE SPECIAL COURT, OFFER OF TWOPENCE RISE WITHDRAWN. POSITION CONSIDERED CRITICAL. United Press Association—Copyright (Received Jan. 7, 1.18 a.m.) SYDNEY. Jan. 6. Excepting the Rhondda, Pacific, Northern Extended, and Northumberland, and the four Teralba district pits, -all mines worked tie-day. When the Special Court met the miners’ representative argued that .he Teralba miners were entitled to a rise of fourpeuce. If given this they would return to work. Counsel for die proprietors claimed that the men were only entitled to and offered an increase of twopence until the Court fixed a permanent rate, but the offer was refused and the men had stopped work, notwithstanding the terms of the Premier’s proposals that the existing conditions should continue until all the -disputes had been dealt with by the Court. The proprietors contended that the position was preposterous, and it was useless to go further with the present Court or a Royal Commission. After argument the miners’ representative agreed to accept a rise of twopence, hut the proprietors declined to accede, contending that the whole matter u;as now before and should he left in the hands of the Court.

Nothing definite was decided when the Court adjourned until to-morrow. The position is considered critical.