POSITION IS CRITICAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6411, 7 January 1908, Page 5

POSITION IS CRITICAL.

AT NEWCASTLE. SPJSiUIAL COURT ACCOMPLISHES NOTHING. AN OFFER REJECTED. By Ttlecraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received January 7, 1.18 a.m.) SVDNKVj January 0. Exooptine the Rhonda, Pacific, Northern Extended, and Northumberland (the four Teralba district pits), all the mines worked to-day. When the Special Court met, tho miners’ representative argued that the Torolha miners were entitled to a rise of fourpenoo per ton in the hewing rate, and if given this they would return to work. Counsel for the proprietors claimed that tho men were only entitled to—and had boon offered—an increase of twopence until tho Court fixed a permanent rate; but the offer was refused. The men had stopped work, notwithstanding the terms of the Premier’s proposals that existing conditions should continue until all disputes had been dealt with by tho Court. Tho proprietors contended that the position was preposterous, and that it was useless to go further with the present Court or Royal Commission. After argument, the miners’ representative agreed to accept a rise of twopence per ton, but the proprietors declined to accede to this, contending that the whole matter was now before, and should bo loft in, the hands of tho Court, Nothing definite had been decided when the Court adjourned until tomorrow.

The position is considered critical,