WORK AND WAGES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9172, 28 February 1908, Page 3

WORK AND WAGES.

NEW SOUTH WALES COAL-MINING COURT. EVIDENCE IN CAMERA. A DEADLOCK. United -""ress Association— By Electric Telegraph — Copyright. (Received February 28, 9.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, February 28. A deadlock has occurred in the special Coal-mining Court. Counsel for the miners intimated that the miners' committee had decided tliat the Commission, was not empowered to- take evidence in camera. Counsel had decided not to hear evidence in camera under any consideration, and all the evidence must be given in open Court. The president held that the Commission waXempowered to take certain evidence in. camera, and . that the committee's attitude was untenable. The I committee was making a mountain out ; of a molehill. j Later, a witness on behalf of the owners declined to give evidence in re- | ference to the financial position, of his i company, except in camera. ! The miners' counsel asked for an ad- ! journment, to enable the miners' execu- ' tive to consider the position. The president adjourned the Court for a week, and said he hoped that wise counsels would prevail with the miners. [Peb Press Association.] WELLINGTON, February 28. Mr Millar, Minister of Labour, does not deem it advisable to say anything at this juncture regarding the trouble at the Blackball mine. The position, he added, is a serious one, and will require, careful consideration on the part o£ the Government. THE BLACKBALL DISPUTE. [Per Press Association.] GREYjVIOUTH, February 28. The position at Blackball remains unaltered. No work was done to-day. The company has only enough coal to fill one more steamer. The manager, interviewed" by a Greymouth "Star" reporter, stated that the company desired to work ten !hour.s per day, giving the men overtime. This was refused, and when eight hours was gone back to he had to dismiss some men who could not have been profitably employed.