THE COAL STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 323, 24 February 1910, Page 5

THE COAL STRIKE.

NON-SETTLEMENT AT NEWCASTLE

A HITCH IN THE NEGOTIATIONS

By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Received 23, 9.10 p.m. Sydney, February 23.

A hitch has occurred at Newcastle in the settlement of .he dispute. When •the Wages Hoani :nut Mr. Sc-holes saiii he was sorry kj u.iuotince the matter was no', m'-r< •!. '-'inn-tiling had arisen, whether serious or not remained to bp seen, and he considered it wise that he should again see the proprietors before declaring that negotiations arc- oil'. Me would not say anything more at >ir-:.-sent, for to make disclosures mi"ht do more harm than good. A meeting of proprietors is called for to-morrow, whereat he will try to bring about an understanding on' the one matter only which stands in the way of a complete settlement. At the proper time all the negotiations that have been and will be conducted will be ma'ie known, especially if they miscarry.

The Court was crowded. Great disappointment was felt at Mr. Schoics' announcement of non-settlement.

WHAT CAUSED THE HITCH. Received 24, 12.5 a.m. Sydney, February 23. It is rumored that the hitch in the Newcastle negotiations is caused by the ■desire of the mine-owners to have the right to refuse to re-engage some en-gine-drivers and firemen, who they claim left them in the lurch when the strike occurred.