BROKEN HILL MINING DISPUTE

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 664, 13 March 1909, Page 5

BROKEN HILL MINING DISPUTE

/ARBITRATION COURT AWARD. INCREASED WAGES. PROPRIETORY COY'S. FUTURE-

(Press Association.—By Telegraph.— Copyright). Reoeived Maroh 12,9.10. Melbonrne, Last Night, Mr Justioe Higgins, President of the Arbitration "Oonrfe, was occupied for two hours in delivering the award in' the case arising out of the i attempt of one of the Broken Hill companies, to lower wages. Great interest was taken in the judgment of the Court was orowd,ed. Basing bis award on the deduotiou. that the ooafc of living is £2 4s 5d per week on the Barrier and £2 2s at Port Pirie Mr Justice Higgins fixed the minimum wage of unskilled ( labourers at, the Barrier at 8s iyA .per'day.andatPort Pirie at 8s 8d and miners' wages *at plaoea at 10s per day for a4B hours' week. • The award, whioh lasts till 1910, leaves the contract system at present in operation untouohed. The award upholds the olaims for inoieased wage's, but inakefl no order as to the mining companies uontinu- ' ing operations. Mr Justice Higgins .said he fully reoognised the terrible nature of the catastrophe that wonld be caused if the Proprietary Company, (whioh wished to rednoe wages or stop work) stopped working. He recognised to the full his responsibility in the matter, but according to the general manager the oompany bad not more than two years and a half of full work before it. If the catastrophe of the, oompany oeasing operations did not happen to-day it ( was bound to happen very soon. Business men and miners at the

Barrier express satisfaction at the award, but there is ( some fear among the men that the big mine will not resume operations.