COALMINERS' TROUBLE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 310, 7 January 1908, Page 2

COALMINERS' TROUBLE.

THE EMPLOYEES' ATTITUDE. Sydney, January 8. The colliery proprietors will place the whole of the troubles before the " Special Court to-day. It is feared th»t, unless the miners show a conciliatory attitude, the proprietors will withdraw from the court. . _,,. SlTTlNti OK A SPECIAL COURT. ABORTIVE PROCEEDINGS. POSITION CONSIDERED CRITICAL, i j Received Jan. 7, 1.18 a.m.

Sydney, Last Night. Excepting the Rhonda, Pacific, Northcrn Extended, and Northumberland, the four Teralba district pits, all the mines were worked to-day, when a special court met the miners' representatives, who argued that Ternlba miners were eulitled to a rise of fourpence. If given thin, they would return to work. Counsel for the proprietors claimed that the men were only entitled to the proffered increase of twopence until the court fixed the permanent rate, but the olTer wns refused. The men had stopped work, notwithstanding the terms of the Premier's proposals that existing conditions should cont : mie until all disputes w>r- dealt with By the court. The proprietors fcontended that the position was preposterous, and that it was useless to co further with the present court or a Rpvnl Commission.

After argument, the miners' representative agreed to accept a rise of twopence, but the proprietors declined to accede, contending that the whole matter was now before the court and should be left in the hands of the court.

Nothing definite was decided when tho court adjourned until to-morrow. The position is now considered critical.