A STRAINED SITUATION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 52, 2 March 1908, Page 7

A STRAINED SITUATION.

\ • NEWCASTLE MINING TROUBLE,

EVIDENCE IN CAMERA. By Telen«ph,— Presa Association.— Copyright. SYDNEY, 29th February. Tho Newcastle Miners' Committee of Management, after two days' consideration of the question of submission of evidence in camera before tho Special Coal Court, has resolved that tho federation cannot accept evidence in camera, and that all must bo givon in open court. These resolutions will be submitted to special meetings of the miners' lodges, on Monday, along with a suggestion that if either party refuscfe to give evidence because, if published, it would be prejudicial to its financial position, tho court examine such evidence, &»d" decide whether the grounds of objection are sustainable. The situation is now strained, as tho president of the court has definitely ruled that ho will accopt evidence in camera in reference to the finaucjfll position of the colliery companies^ At a sitting of the court last week, counsel for the miners intimated that tho 'Miners' Committee had decidod that the- commission had not bpen empowered to take evidence *n enmero. AU evidence must, they «.ajd,. bo given in open court. The president (Judgo Heydon) held that the commission had been empowered to take certain evidence in camera, and that tho committee's attitude was untenable. . Later, a witness on_ behalf of the owners declined to give evidence in reference- to the financial position of his company, excopting in camera. The minors' counsel asked for an adjournment to enable the miners' executivo to considor the position. Tho president adjourned the court for a week, and said he hoped wise counsel would prevail with the miners.