A UNIQUE ARRANGEMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11412, 8 January 1923, Page 8

A UNIQUE ARRANGEMENT

REDUCTION IN N.S.W. ACCEPTED ON CONDITIONS. OPERATIONS TO RESUME. By Telegraph —Press Assn.—Copyright. SYDNEY January 6. As a result of a conference between the representatives of the Broken Hill Proprietary and the employees of the Newcastle Steel Works, an agreement has been reached on the question of wages. The works will open as soon as the price of coal has been reduced. The agreement is based on the Industrial Court’s suggestion to make up the full wages later from the first profits of the company. The Full Industrial Court recently rejected the application of the Broken Hill Proprietary Company for the reduction of wages. The company at the same time refused the court’s proposal that a" temporary reduction he madeuntil the profits justified compensation. Following these decisions, the steel works at Newcastle were closed down, .involving the dismissal of 500 men. ANOTHER STOPPAGE SHALE OIL OPERATIONS. SYDNEY, January 6. Shale oil operations of John Fell and Co. at Newnes have ceased owing to the high cost of production. Nearly 400 men are involved. It means the stoppage of the industry throughout Australia, as Fells are the biggest firm of the kind and the best able to stand excessive costs.