COAL MINE TROUBLES.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 353, 13 October 1898, Page 2

COAL MINE TROUBLES.

A THREATENED LOCK-OUT, (BY electric telegraph.— copyright). Sydney, October 11. The Minister for Mines has issued the necessary notification to the coal-owners requiring them to comply with the provisions ot the Mining Act, providing for the weighing of every skip of coal taken out of a mine. MrCowlishaw. a leading mine-owner, speaking individually, said he did not think half-a-dozen mines in the colony would be prepared to carry out these provisions. If no relaxation were granted, there would be no alternative but to close certain mines. Mr Curley, the miners' general secretary, considers that the difficulty can be peacefully settled. The men, he says, are willing to confer with the owners, but a conference is not probable. The owners' statement, that the whole of the collcries will have to be closed, is absurd, as it is not likely they will be so blind to their own interests, and ruin foreign trade. He is confident of an amicable settlement.

(Received October 12, 9 45 a.m.) Sydney, October 12.

There is great dissatisfaction among the coal-owners at the Minister enforcing the weighing clauses. Numbers state that they will be compelled, in the interests of the trade, to carry ouc the threat of a general lock-out. A meeting is to be held during the week to consider the situation.