February 13, 1911.

________________________________________________________	__________________________________________

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN,

361

Hochfeld 436,557 tons, or 19,159,143 tons in all.
Shipments outward : to Coblenz and places higher
up river 9,209,007 tons, to places below Coblenz
242,215 tons, to Holland 7,005,643 tons, to Belgium
4,218,455 tons, to France 384,369 tons, to other destinations
405,199 tons. Total shipments from Ruhrort 13,205,097
tons, Duisburg 4,634,209 tons, Hochfeld 423,018 tons,
Rheinpreussen 1,147,804 tons, Schwelgern 1,065,896 tons,
Walsum 988,863 tons ; aggregate 21,464,887 tons, an excess
of 3,260,407 tons over 1912.

Coal Market in Upper Silesia.—The daily number of wagon
loads sent off by rail shows an average excess of about 100
as compared with this time last year, so that there is no
prospect of any immediate weakening in the situation,
whilst the increased consignments of industrial coals point
to an improvement in the iron industry. House coal is
again in good request; coking coals can hardly be raised
fast enough, and the deliveries of gas coal show no falling
off. The demands of the export trade continue to increase,
especially those of Russian-Poland, which cannot be fully
satisfied. In some districts, such as the Baltic provinces,
the competition of English coal is being keenly felt, and
prices have to be lowered to meet it. The situation in the
■coke market is also satisfactory, a ready outlet being found
for nearly all grades, whilst the smaller kinds are in
improved request.

The Coal Syndicate.—The “participation” for February
is reduced from 85 to 80 per cent, for coal; coke and
briquettes remain at 55 and 80 per cent, respectively.

Hamburg Coal Trade.—Mr. H. W.Heidmann, of Hamburg,
writes as follow.-—The import of coal into Hamburg has
been in January :—

From	1914.  Tons.	1913.  Tons.
Northumberland and Durham...	167,400	.. 186,194
Yorkshire, Derbyshire, &c		51,486 ..	..	47,165
Scotland 		69,939 ..	.. 101,473
Wales 		1,798 ..	5,767
Coke		—	—
Total		290,623 ..	. 340,599

Production of Coal in 1913.—The following shows the
output of fuel in Germany in the past four years :—

1913.	1912.	1911.	1910.

Tons.	Tons.	Tons.	Tons.

Coal ........191,511,154... 177,094,917... 160,742,272.. .152,881,509
Lignite .... 87,116,343... 82,339,583... 73,516,789... 69,104,867
Coke........ 32,167,716... 29,141,070... 25,405,108... 23,600,362

Briquettes ... 27,241,755... 24,391,701... 21,827,057... 19,567,016
The j next table shows a summary of the consumption,
exports, imports, &c.:—

1,000 metric tons.

,------------------,---------------------------x

(--------------------------------------

Coal Lignite

Coal. Coke. Lignite, bri- bri-
. Production—	quettes. quettes.

1912......... 177,095 ... 29,141 ... 82,340 ... 5,334 ... 19,058

1913......... 191,511 ... 32,168 ... 87,116 ... 5,824 ... 21,418
Imports—

1912.........	10,380	...	590 ... 7,266	...	53	...	135

1913... ....... 10,540	...	593 ... 6,987	...	26	...	121

Exports—

1912.........	31,145	...	5,850 ... 57	...	2,120	...	627

1913.........	34,574	...	6,411 ... 60	...	2,303	...	861

-Consumption—

1912.........	156,332	...	23,882 ... 89,549	...	3,267	...	19,820

1913.........	167,477	...	26,350 ... 94,043	...	3,547	...	22,100

In 1913, 9,209,543 tons of coal were imported from the
United Kingdom, as compared with 8,988,482 tons in 1912.
Exports notably increased to Austria-Hungary (by 1,137,000
tons), Holland (674,000 tons), Russia (593,000 tons), Belgium
(360,000 tons), France (185,000 tons), Italy (168,000 tons),
and Switzerland (130,000 tons).

_________________________

North of Englando

Sir Lindsay Wood, Bart., presided at a meeting of the
Durham Coal Trade Conciliation Board, held at New-
castle on Friday, 6th inst., for the purpose of regulating
the wages of miners in Durham for the next three
months. At the close of a brief discussion, it was
announced that no change would be made.

With the object of further considering the question
of the formation of a sliding scale for the regulation of
miners’ wages in the county, a meeting of the Wages
Board of the Northumberland Miners’ Association and
the Coalowners’ Association was held in Newcastle on
Saturday, under the presidency of Mr. Thomas Taylor.
When the Conciliation Board was abolished in 1911, on
the initiative of the men, the latter found themselves at
the disadvantage of being unable to ascertain the average
selling price of coal, which, of course, is the main factor
in guiding wages movements. In December 1912, the
owners proposed the following sliding scale : At a selling
price of 6s. 9d. or any figure below 6s. 10d., the wages
shall be 15 per cent, above the basis of 1879 ; above that
figure an advance or reduction to take place at the rate
• of 1 per cent, for each penny charged in selling price,
the changes to take place in this ratio up to a maximum
of 60 per cent, above the basis of 1879. It is understood
that at the meeting the owners made an offer more
acceptable to the men than that of 1912, and that there
is now some probability of a sliding scale being estab-
lished. A sub-committee of owners and men’s repre-
sentatives was appointed to consider the rates of rise and
fall under the suggested scale, and it will medt to-morrow
(Saturday). When the sub-committee has finished its
deliberations, each side will report to its own association,
after which there will be another full meeting of the
owners and men to further consider the scheme.

At a special meeting of the executive council of the
Northumberland Colliery Enginemen and Firemen’s

Association, at Bedlington, on Friday last, considera-
tion was given to the recommendation of the executive
committee of the National Federation of Colliery
Enginemen and Boilermen on the question of amalga-
tion with other societies. The Parliamentary Committee
of the Trade Union Congress had put forward a
proposal to bring about the amalgamation of all unions
of enginemen and firemen, craneworkers, electrical
workers, and all kindred trades into one national union.
It was decided to support the decision of their own
national executive, which was in the following terms:—
“ That under no circumstances whatever shall we agree
to amalgamate with any federation or association other
than societies representing colliery enginemen, boiler-
men, and firemen. Further, that we adhere rigidly to
our position as a federation of purely colliery engine-
men, &c.” A further conference on the subject is to be
held in Manchester on Saturday, March 14. The
executive council also decided to give their support
to the Bill to be presented to Parliament giving an
eight-hour day for all colliery enginemen, boilermen and
firemen. At the same meeting, the executive council
resolved itself into a wages board to consider what
action should be taken consequent on the reply of the
coalowners to the requests of the men. The council
resolved that the secretary should write the coalowners
enquiring whether the committee to which some of the
matters in dispute were referred, particularly the case
of the local firemen, had come to any decision, and that,
as soon as a reply was received, the wages board be
called together to consider the whole of the modified
claims and the owners’ reply.

At the Weardale Steel, Coal, and Coke Company’s
Croxdale Colliery, Durham, 270 employes, including
officials, have received 14 days’ notice to cease work.
The men are principally engaged in the Little Busty and
the Hutton seams, where, it is stated, the output for
some considerable time has been too low for the average
wages paid.

A county meeting of the Durham Miners’ Association
was held on Saturday. Aiderman House presiding. The
principal question on the programme was a proposal to
elect additional Parliamentary candidates. After dis-
cussion it was decided to run five more candidates, and
it was agreed further that nominations should be asked
for from the different lodges, and that when received a
slip vote should be taken to decide who should be the
candidates. A resolution was carried asking the agents
and the executive committee to meet the owners with a
view to drawing up an agreement to provide that the
county percentage should not be paid to men and
boys who were not members of the Durham Miners’
Association.

The Northumberland Miners’ Association has applied
to the Coalowners’ Association of the county for a
meeting at which the men’s representatives will seek an
advance in wages.

The Northumberland Miners’ Association has received
an intimation from the Coalowners’ Association of the
county that the owners decline to increase their recent
offer in regard to the wages of surfacemen. As the
result of negotiations some little time ago, the coalowners
said they would be prepared to make the wages of men
between the ages of 21 and 65, who were not earning 3s.
a day up to 3s. per day. The men’s union considered
the offer inadequate, and asked the owners to reconsider
the wages of the surface workers. The owners, as we
have said, are not prepared to offer any further increase.

Federated Area.

Sir Edward Clarke, K.C., the independent chairman
of the Minimum Wage Board for South Yorkshire, has
issued his award with regard to the appeal of the York-
shire Miners’ Association for an alteration of some of
the rules and of the rates. Under the award, rates have
been increased as follows :—Qualified coal-getters (hand
or machine), increased from 6s. 9d. to 7s. 3d.; trammers
from 5s. 9d. to 6s. 3d.; leading bye-workmen (those in
charge of pit bottom or otherwise entrusted with super-
vision), from 6s. to 6s. 6d.; all other workmen (over 21
years of age), 5s. to 5s. 6d. Boys, 14 years of age, from
2s. to 2s. 2d.; 14J years, 2s. 2d. to 2s. 4d.; 15, 2s. 5d. to
2s. 7d.; 154, 2s. 7d. to 2s. 9d.; 16. 3s. to 3s. 2d.; 17,
3s. 3d. to 3s. 5d.; 171, 3s. 5d. to 3s. 7d.; 18, 3s. 8d. to
3s. lOd,; 18J, 3s. lOd. to 4s.; 19, 4s. Id. to 4s. 3d.;
194, 4s. 3d. to 4s. 5d.; 20, 4s. 6d. to 4s. 8d.; 204, 4s. 8d.
to 4s. lOd.; 21, 4s. lOd. to 5s.

The rates for the ganister district in Don and Loxley
valleys have been increased as follow:—Coal-getters,
5s. 6d. to 6s.; trammers and all fillers, 4s. 6d. to 5s.;
leading bye-workmen (those in charge of pit bottom or
otherwise entrusted with supervision), 4s. 9d. to 5s. 3d.;
all other workmen (over 21 years of age), 4s. 6d. to 5s.
Boys, 14 years of age, 2s.; 141, 2s. Id. to 2s. 2d.; 15,
2s. 2d. to 2s. 5d.; 154, 2s. 3d. to 2s. 7d.; 16, 2s. 4d. to
2s. lOd.; 164, 2s. 6d. to 3s.; 17, 2s. 8d. to 3s. 3d.; 174,
2s. lOd. to 3s. 5d.; 18, 3s. to 3s. 8d.; 184, 3s. 2d. to
3s. lOd.; 19, 3s. 4d. to 4s. Id.; 194, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 3d.; 20,
3s. 8d. to 4s. 6d.; 204, 3s. lOd. to 4s. 8d.; 21, 4s. to
4s. lOd.

The South Yorkshire coalowners have raised a question
as to the meaning of Sir Edward Clarke’s award. The
coalowners have now intimated through their secretary,
Mr. Parker Rhodes, that they will consider 7s. 3d. as
the present minimum, though in those cases where the
men are now receiving 7s. 44d., that wage will continue
to be paid. The wage of 6s. 9d. per day was fixed when
wages in the Federated Area were 50 per cent, on the
standard, and since then three advances of 5 per cent,
(or 24d. each) have been granted by the Conciliation
Board. The resolutions of the Board clearly state that
these alterations are separate from the minima fixed by
the chairman of the District Board, and are subject to
the ordinary fluctuations of wage as distinct from the
fixed minima. The resolutions state that “ where work-
men are paid by contract and have not earned their
wages, there shall be added to the minimum 5 per cent.,

so long as wages remain at ” that particular percentage.
If the South Yorkshire coalowners’ contention were
accepted, Sir Edward Clarke’s award, instead of being
an increase of 7d. per day, would at present mean
a reduction of 14d. per day in the minimum, though the
coalowners add that they will not interfere with the
7s. 4|d. where it has been paid. The men’s contention
is that the maximum of 7s. 3d. fixed by Sir Edward
Clarke is the minimum on the same basis as the previous
award of 6s. 9d. made when wages were at 50 per
cent, on the standard, and that while wages are at the
present rate of 65 per cent, on the standard it is subject
to an addition of 7|d. per day. The coalowners of South
Yorkshire have offered a joint meeting for the considera-
tion of the point in dispute.

Another meeting of the Lancashire and Cheshire
Joint District Board under the Mines (Minimum Wage)
Act was held at Manchester, on the 5th inst., to consider
the request of the men that the minimum should be
increased from 6s. 6d. to 7s. a day, and to discuss
suggested alterations under the minimum wage rules.
Mr. C. Pilkington presided. The representatives of the
owners and men held separate meetings in the morning,
and in the afternoon a joint conference took place. At
the close Sir T. Ratcliffe-Ellis announced thatthe meeting
had been adjourned until March 9. Mr. T. Greenall
stated that the question of a minimum wage for
surfacemen had been discussed. He said that the
minimum asked for, 3s. lOd. per day, had been paid at
collieries employing 40 per cent, of the members of the
Lancashire and Cheshire Miners’ -Federation. The
employers had made an offer of 3s. 4d. a day for adult
able-bodied workmen, but the men’s representatives
declined to accept this offer.

At the meeting of the Joint Board, representing the
Coalowners’ Association of Lancashire and Cheshire
and the Lancashire and Cheshire Enginemen and
Boilermen, held on Monday, the 9th inst., it was agreed
that the locomotivemen in Lancashire, who have not
received the last three 5 per cent, increases which had
been given to other enginemen, boilermen, and locomo-
tivemen, should receive 6d. per day advance, and in the
event of any portion of such advance having been
given, they shall receive the remainder necessary to
make up the 6d. due for the last three 5 per cent,
advances.

The council of the Yorkshire Miners’ Federation
concluded a two days’ meeting at Barnsley on Saturday
afternoon. Mr. Smith mentioned that the question
of hours and wages of the surface workmen in West
Yorkshire had been settled. The coalowners had agreed
to pay all arrears of wages, and all that remained to be
done was to meet and sign the requisite agreement. The
council had considered several applications for permission
to tender notices to cease work. At Monckton Main the
men desired to take action because they said the
coal was now much thinner and more difficult
to get, which prevented them from earning an
average wage. The men at Garforth No. 1 had decided
to give notice to insist on the reinstatement of a member.
Requests were made for power to ballot on the question
of giving notice owing to the non-union question at the
Wyke, Hartshead, Shireoaks, Stetley, and West Shari-
stone collieries. The Deepcar branch desired to hand
in notices owing to the dismissal of a member from
work. The men at the Wood thorpe, Nunnery Nos. land 2,
and Waverley collieries, sought permission to ballot on
the question of giving notice owing to wage disputes.
The applications were referred to the next meeting of
the executive for decision.

A meeting of the men’s section of the Conciliation
Board for the Federated Mining Districts in England
and North Wales was held at the Westminster Palace
Hotel on Wednesday. The Yorkshire representatives—
Messrs. Wadsworth, Herbert Smith, and J. Hoskins—
brought forward the action of the Yorkshire coal-
owners in claiming that the minimum wage to be
paid under the Minimum Wage Act to workmen
who fail to earn their wage is to be the actual
amount fixed by the district chairman, without
taking into consideration the subsequent advances of
wages made by the Conciliation Board. Mr. Ashton,
secretary, pointed out that the resolution passed by the
Conciliation Board was as follows “ That the advance
be applied as regards boys and day-wage men either
upon the basis rate of 1888 or on the list rate as has
been the case hitherto; and where workmen are paid by
contract and are not earning the minimum rate fixed by
the Joint District Board for the district there shall be
paid to such workmen, and those employed by them, in
addition to the minimum 5 per cent, on the 1888 rate,
so long as wages remain at this standard. In the event
of a reduction in wages the above addition is to be
subject to such reduction.”

Mr. Ashton added that under the agreed resolutions
of the Conciliation Board, it was clear that the coal-
owners in the Federated area have agreed to pay the
percentages added to the wages.

Scotland.

All the miners locked out and since on strike at the
United Collieries’ Nackerty pits, Uddingston, have
resumed work, after a week’s idleness. It is stated that
the terms accepted are 3s. per ton to men demanding
3s. 2d., and 2s. lOd. per ton to men demanding 2s. lid.

Colliery Eaginemen and an Eight Hours Day.

The executive of the National Federation of Colliery
Enginemen and Firemen met at the Westminster
Palace Hotel this week to consider their proposals for
securing a legislative eight hours day. Mr. P. Dewar
(Scotland) presided, and there were present Messrs. D.
Charlton (Durham), J. Humphreys (Northumberland^
J. Ro worth (Derbyshire and Notts), J. Hirst (Somerset),
and P. S. Kirkey (Scotland). It was decided to secure
the introduction of a Bill during the present Session
providing that no workman employed on the surface
premises of any mine at a steam- or electric-driven