THE COAL TROUBLE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 88, 7 January 1908, Page 5

THE COAL TROUBLE.

■——-+ —— POSITION CRITICAL. COURT SITS WITHOUT. DECIDING. > , FOUR MINES IDLE. nr TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION—COI'TRIGHT, (Rec. Jan. 7, 1.18 a.m.) Sydney, January 6. Excepting the Rhondda, Pacific, Northern Extended, and Northumberland (tho foul loralba district pits), all tho mines lvorc working to-day. ' v ' When tho, special court appointed to sottlo. tho disputo met, the miners''representative argued that the Teralba miners were ontitlod to a rise of 4d. per ton. 'Ho said that if thoy woro given this they would return; to work. • - . • Counsel for tho proprietors claimed that tho men were only entitled to, and had beer offered, an increase 'of 2d. until the Court fixed the permanent rate; but.the oiler had been refused. The men had stopped work, notwithstanding the torms of the Premier's proposals that 'existing conditions should continue' until all,disputes had lieon dealt with .by the .Court." The proprietors contended that the. position was preposterous, and that it.was useless to go further with the present Court or Royal Commission. ~ Aftet argument, the miners' representative agreed to accept : a rise of 2d., as offered, but the proprietors declined to accede, contending that tho'wholo matter was now before, and should be left in the hands of, the Court.-. ■ ■ . ■ Nothing definite had been dccided when tho Court adjourned until to-morrow. The position is considered critical. ■