THE NEWCASTLE STRIKE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 335, 10 March 1910, Page 5

THE NEWCASTLE STRIKE

THE OWNERS' ATTITUDE. By Cable.—Press Association,—Copyright Sydney, March 0. It is stated that the mine owners forwarded a letter to Judge Scholes, crefinitely stating that tliey are not prepared to agree to a settlement on tlie lines suggested by Charlton, and tr.at as far as tiiey are concerned the negotiations are at an end. Judge Scholes has declined to make any announcement on the subject. THE SOUTHERN WAGES BOARD. WHAT MINERS' DEMANDS MEAN. Received March 0, 9.45 p.m. Sydney, Last Night. Giving evidence before the Southern Miners' Wages Board, the manager of the Metropolitan Coal Company submitted a statement showing the cost to .the company would be £42,000 annually if the mineis' claims were granted, inchiding an outlay of £15,000 to £20,000 on a railway through the mines to convey the employees to their work. He added that the estimates given were all moderate, for he was confident the men would screw the last drop of blood possible out of them. Mr. Hoskins, proprietor of the Lithgow Ironworks, was fined thirty guineas for a breach of the Industrial Disputes Act in discharging several employees for refusing to work on pay Saturday. Defendant admitted the breach, but claimed it arose through a misunderstanding, and was afterwards rectified. REDUCTION OF STEAMER FARES. Received March 10, 1.35 a.m. Sydney, Last Night. The inter-State steamship companies announce a reduction of the 25 per cent, -increase in fares which was imposed when the coal strike commenced.