Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1955), Saturday 19 November 1904, page 1


A LOCK OUT.

A MINING COMPANY FINED. AN INTERESTING DECISION.

It will be recollected that in September last the, Potosi Gold-mining Co., whose property is situated at Yundamindera, posted a notice on the mine

works notifying that on and after a certain date it was proposed to make a reduction in the rate of wages paid to all hands employed on tho mine. This reduction was subsequently en forced, notwithstanding this fact that it departed from the award made by the Arbitration Court governing the rates of wages to bo paid to minors employed in that district. The men refused to accept the lower rate, and ultimately went out on strike. Consequent on this reduction Mr. Owen, the registrar of the friendly societies, proceeded against the Potosi Co. in the local Warden's Court under the provisions of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act with having done a thing in the nature of a lockout. The case was tried, before Warden Owen at Kookynie last mo-th, but after hearing the evidence the warden reserved his decision. Mr. N. K. Ewing appeared for the miners on behalf of the registrar, and Mr. N. Kecnan, of Kalgoorlio, represented the company. This morning Mr. Ewing received a wire from the goldfields advising liim that Warden Owen had delivered judgment in the case, in which a verdict had been recorded for the plaintfffs, and a fine, of £10. and costs had been made against the company. It is anticipated that the company will appeal to the Full Court against this decision.