A CRITICAL SITUATION.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 5, 7 January 1908, Page 5

A CRITICAL SITUATION.

THE NEWCASTLE MINING DIS-

PUTE

ARGUMENT BEFORE THE COURT

'A PREPOSTEROUS POSITION."

[press association.] (Received Jan. 7, 1.18 a.m.)

SYDNEY, Jan. 6

Excepting Rhoridda, Pacific, Northern Extended and Northumberland, the four Teralba district pits, all the mines worked to-day, when the special Court met,

The miners' representative argued thatvthe Teralba miners were entitled to a Jpise of fourpence. If they were given , this, they would return to work.

Counsel for the proprietors claimed that the men were only entitled to, and were offered, an increase of twopence until the Court fixed the permanent rate, but the offer was refused, aad the men had stopped workj notwithstanding the terms of the Premier's proposals that existing conditions should continue until all disputes had keen dealt with by the Court. The proprietors contended that the position was preposterous, and it was useless to go further with the present Court or a Royal Commission.

After argument, the miners' representative agreed to accept a rise of twopence, but the proprietors declined to accede, contending that the whole matter was now before the Court and should be left in its hands.

Nothing definite had been decided when the Court adjourned until tomorrow.

The position is considered to be critical.