THE MINE-OWNERS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12941, 4 December 1909, Page 5

THE MINE-OWNERS.

Not a Happy Family.

The Sydney Daily Telegraph's corres pondeat wires: — "Newcastle is awaiting Avith a very great interest the meeting of colliery proprietors. Dvi v ing the past two dayis th«>re has been an indication that thai proprietors are beginning to regard the position as rather more serious than they are willing to admit. Several disturbing factors have lately made themselves felt, and it is not at all certain that iust now the members of the Hunter District Colliery Proprietors' Association are an entirely happy family. For the first time they are experiencing an uneasy feeling that the collieries outside the vend are perhaps worthy of more consideration in the present crisis than they have been receiving 1 . Mr Bowlingr's, threat to -work a co-operative . colliery was at -first received with an indulgent smile ; but events have now so shaped themselves that the project is not only being seriously discussed, but it bids fair to cause' absolute dissension in the proprietors' ranks. The seriousness of the trouble may be judged by the fact that some of th© proprietors are fully convinced that certain persons who have been in their confidence are pecuniarily interested in tne scheme -which

"Gold Nnersret "FanninpH at Is 6d per pound are equal to any othe- Tea at 2*. Obtainable from all laadiner grocers. Cash coupon entitles you to onf penny per pound rebate.

Mr Bowling hopes to put into operation. The question is, Did anyone know that a strike was likely to occur, and did that person or persons use the information for their own advantage? The matter has gone so far that a well-known firm of solicitors has been consulted, and it is said that if certain allegations can be substantiated three persons may be arrainged on a charge of conspiracy.