N.S.W.MINING DISPUTE

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 27

N.S.W.MINING DISPUTE

ARBITRATION COURT PROCEED. - INGS. SYDNEY, February 26. A deadlock has occurred in the Special Coal Mining Court. Counsel for the miners intimated that the Miners' Com!mittee had decided that the commission was not empowered to take evidence inj camera, and it had decided not to heafc evidence in camera for any consideration. All evidence must be given mi open court. The president held that the commissioii was empowered to take certain evidence in camera. The committee's attitude was untenable, and it was making a mountain out of a molehill. Later on a witness, on behalf of tks owners, declined to give evidence mi reference to €he financial position of his company except in camera. The miners' counsel then asked for an adjournment to enable v the Miners* Executive to consider its position. The president has adjourned the courfc' for" a week. He hoped, he /said, thatil wise counsel would prevail with thf miners. NEWCASTLE, March 1. The Miners' Committee of v Management, after two days' consideration of the question of the submission of evidence in camera at the silting of the Special Coal Court, resolved that the federation could not accept in camera. All evidence mtfst be given * n open court. Resolutions w>H be submitted to special meeting* of the Miners' Lodges on Mon- . day along the suggestion that if either , party refuses to give evidence because - the eyidence if published would be preju- i dicial to theii-finan«ial position, the courti should examine such evidence and decide whether t.he grounds of objection were sustainable or not. The situation is now; strained, as the i president of the court has definitely ruled j that he will accept evidence in earner* with reference to the financial position of the colliery companies.