October 16, 1914.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

825

bar mills are under no pressure, despite shortage of labour.
The price delivered by boat is £7 10s., and £7 12s. 6d.
delivered by team. Common iron is also <£7 10s.
delivered Darlaston district. The market level for smalls,
rounds, squares and flats is <£8, but a good offer would
tempt makers to accept 2s. 6d. less. The supply of orders
is sufficient to keep the mills going steadily, and the entire
absence of foreign competition gives producers a feeling of
independence. The market for black sheets is lifeless, and
values are in the neighbourhood of <£8 2s. 6d.; gas strip is
unaltered at <£7 10s. to <£7 15s., with a moderate demand.
The tinplate trade is receiving an impetus from Govern-
ment orders for War Office purposes. A good trade is being
done in steel sections. Ferro has been reduced by 14s.
—from <£12 less 2| per cent, to <£11 net. Copper sheets have
fallen from <£74 to <£72 a ton.

Devon, Cornwall, and South Coast.

Plymouth.

COAL.

Messrs. W. Wade and Son report an improved demand at
the south coast ports. While steam and sailing freights are
firmer, prices quoted for house and steam coal remain at
late rates, and any demand for higher prices is not responded
to by buyers. Considerable competition by inland collieries
for the country trade is experienced by the largest coast
importers, and this is accentuated by the higher freights
and war insurance, as well as by other increased charges
which importers have to pay.

TRADE AND THE WAR.

Holland's Goal Supplies—Proposed Institute of Industry
and Commerce—Trading with the Enemy : Insurance
Policies — Shipping Returns — Trade of the Tyne—
Further Articles Prohibited for Export—Certificates of
Origin—Charge Against a Newcastle Coal Exporter—
The Endorsement of Bills.

An interesting letter dealing with the subject of Dutch
neutrality in trading and the recent large importation of
British coal into Holland has been sent to the Newcastle
Dai'/y Journil by Mr. A. P. Vandervorm, of the Shipping
and Coal Company, Newcastle. Mr. Vandervorm says :—
“ From the outbreak of the war until early September the
export of coals from Germany was entirely stopped. Under
normal circumstances Germany supplies five-sixths of the
coals consumed in Holland, and, therefore, if the mobilisa-
tion in Holland had riot seriously interfered with business,
the export of British coal to Holland should have been
able to increase fivefold. From the figures for bunker
(unscreened steam) coal shipped in August 1913 and
August 1914 the actual increase was only about 70 per
cent. Since last month Germany has resumed the export
of coal, and 4-7,000 tons of Westphalian coals are now
daily imported into Holland by Rhine craft, apart from
the large quantities coming forward by rail. This, I think,
is sufficient proof that Holland was able to consume the
extra import of British coals during August 1914. More-
over, on August 3, the Dutch Government issued a Royal
decree prohibiting the export of coal, and this decree still
holds good.”

A large gathering of representatives of British industry
and of the British Dominions met at the Savoy Hotel, on
the 8th inst., for the purpose of inaugurating discussion of
the proposed Institute of Industry and Commerce, and to
receive an address from Earl Grey. Mr. Peddie, who
presided, explained the principles upon which the institute
is being formed, and emphasised the supreme necessity of
organisation among the manufacturers and merchants in
Great Britain, for the purpose of expanding the trade of
the Empire and of taking full advantage of all the
conditions arising out of the great war declared by
Germany. Besides Earl Grey, Sir Charles Macara, Mr.
C. G. Fairfax Scott, of the British Iron Trade Association,
Sir George Reid and Lord Aberconway addressed the
assembly in support of the institute. Resolutions were
carried forming an organising committee to take steps to
incorporate the institute.

Speaking to a deputation from the Workers’ National
Committee last week, the Chancellor of the Exchequer said
that the war in the future would involve a very heavy
burden upon the nation. In addition to that, it is becoming
increasingly evident that other countries will depend more
and more upon our market. It was therefore desirable that
municipalities or any other institutions should not spend
more money than was absolutely necessary to prevent
distress in this country.

A further Proclamation amending “The Trading with
the Enemy Proclamation, No. 2,” made on* September 9, has
been issued. Paragraph 5, heading (6), of that Proclama-
tion is revoked, and the following is substituted : —
“Not to make or enter into any new marine, life, fire or
other policy or contract of insurance (including re-insurance)
with or for the benefit of the enemy ; nor to accept, or give
effect to any insurance of, any risk arising under any policy
or contract of insurance (including re-insurance) made or
entered into with or for the benefit of an enemy before the
outbreak of war; and in particular as regards treaties or
contracts of re-insurance current at the outbreak of war to
which an enemy is a party or in which an enemy is
interested not to cede to the enemy or to accept from the
enemy under any such treaty or contract any risk arising
under any policy or contract of insurance (including
re-insurance) made or entered into after the outbreak of
war, or any share in any such risk. Notwithstanding
anything contained in paragraph 6 of the Trading with the
Enemy Proclamation, No. 2, where an enemy has a branch
locally situated in British, allied or neutral territory,
which carries on the business of insurance or re-insuranee
of whatever nature, transactions by or with such branch in
respect of the business of insurance or re-insurance shall be
considered as transactions by or with an enemy.” The
scope of the Proclamation is extended to all the Dominions
beyond the seas and the authority to grant licences is
vested in Governors-General and Governors.

The Board of Trade are in receipt, through the Foreign
Office, of telegraphic information to the effect that con-
signments of private cargoes shipped to Archangel are
likely, for some time to come, to suffer considerable delay

at that port. The abnormal demands made on the
capacities of the port in the present crisis are stated to
have led to a grave congestion of traffic.

Lloyd's Register of shipping returns for the quarter
ending September 30 is, in consequence of the war,
restricted to returns of merchant ships in course of
construction in the United Kingdom. The number of
steam vessels is 470, with a gross tonnage of 1,718,730, as
against 491 at the same date last year. The sailing ships
number 16, with a tonnage of 4,820; last year the number
was 17. It is pointed out that whilst the tonnage now
under construction in the United Kingdom is about 1,000
tons higher than that which was in hand at the end of last
quarter, it will be understood that the rate of progress in
merchant ship construction is much reduced in the present
circumstances, and that the immediate output will be
correspondingly less.

A meeting of the Tyne Improvement Commission was
held at Newcastle on the 8th inst. It was stated that in
the month of September 1,027,621 tons of coal were shipped
from the Tyne, as compared with 1,682,731 tons in the
corresponding month last year, a decrease of 655,110 tons.
In the same month 33,335 tons of coke were shipped, as
against 29,358 tons in September 1913, an increase of 3,977
tons. In the nine months of this year, ended September 30,
13,911,314 tons of coal were shipped, as compared with
14,842,441 tons in the corresponding period of last year, a
decrease of 931,127 tons. It was reported that at the end
of last month there were 13 vessels laid up in the Tyne.

It is the general opinion of officials at the British
Embassy at Washington that German cruisers in West Indian
waters have been entirely dependent for some time upon such
coal and supplies as they have been able to obtain from
neutral merchant steamers. British and French steamers
have in consequence been maintaining a careful watch on
neutral vessels. In addition to the capture of the American
register steamer “ Lorenzo,” and the Norwegian merchant-
man “ Thor,” the French Embassy at Washington reports
that the Norwegian steamer “ Heina” has been seized by
the “Conde.” It is understood at the State Department
that the United States is in thorough sympathy with the
seizure of any American merchantmen engaged in a contra-
band trade with belligerent vessels. It is reported from
Philadelphia that the Norwegian steamers “Sommerstad”
and “Fram” are being held in port by their owners because
it was suspected that the company which chartered the
vessels intended to use them to transport coal and food-
stuffs to German warships at sea. The clearance papers of
the steamers, taken out about a fortnight ago, are filed for
Cadiz, Spain, and for Pernambuco, Brazil, respectively.

The official wireless message issued from Berlin on the
9th inst. said : The Norwegian steamer “ Modig,” carrying
1,800 tons of coal from EnglancT*to Russia, was captured by
a German torpedo boat and brought into Swinemunde.

The Council of the London Chamber of Commerce has
confirmed in principle a proposal that the Government
should be urged to pay to British traders, from the value
realised in connection with the capture of enemy vessels
and cargoes, the amounts of losses sustained by them by
the capture of British cargoes by the enemy, and that the
necessary enquiries should be made.

An Order of Council has been issued under section 2 of
the Customs (Exportation Prohibition) Act, 1914 (4 and 5
Geo. 5, c. 64), varying Proclamations of August 3 and 5,
1914. The heading “ Cotton suitable for use in the manu-
facture of explosives” is deleted from the Proclamation
dated August 3, 1914, and the heading “Cotton waste” in
the same Proclamation is expanded so as to read “ Cotton
waste of all descriptions.” The heading “Coal tar products
for use in dye manufacture,” in the Order of Council dated
September 8, 1914, is expanded so as to read “ Coal tar
products for use in dye manufacture, except aniline oil and
aniline salt. The exportation of bags and sacks of all kinds
(not including paper bags) ; graphite ; shipbuilding
materials namely—boiler tubes, condenser tubes, iron and
steel castings and forgings for hulls and machinery of ships,
iron and steel plates and sectional material for shipbuilding,
marine engines and parts thereof, and ships’ auxiliary
machinery, is prohibited to all foreign ports in Europe and
on the Mediterranean and Black Seas other than those of
Russia (except Baltic ports), Belgium, France, Spain, and
Portugal.

Employers desiring to engage refugee labour should place
themselves in communication with the General Manager,
Labour Exchanges and Unemployment Insurance Depart-
ment, Queen Anne’s-chambers, Westminster, S.W.

H.M. Commercial Attache has forwarded detailed reports
from H.M. consular officers in Hakodate, Formosa, Nagasaki,
Chemulpo, Shimonoseki and Dairen, dealing with the nature
and extent of German trade in their respective districts,
and the possibilities of British products being introduced
to replace German manufactures. The reports in question,
which contain comparative statistics of the imports from
the United Kingdom and Germany into the various districts,
and information as to the various classes of goods in the
supply of which German competition is most severe, may be
inspected at the Commercial Intelligence Branch, 73,
Basinghall-street, London, E.C.

The London Gazette of October 13 contains a notice to
importers and exporters directing their attention to the
provisions of the Proclamation, dated September 9, relating
to trading with the enemy. The notice states that with a
view to preventing breaches of the Proclamation, the
Commissioners of his Majesty’s Customs and Excise have
been authorised to require certificates of origin or declara-
tions of ultimate destination respectively to be presented
in respect of all goods, wares or merchandise imported into
or exported from the United Kingdom in trade with any
foreign port in Europe or on the Mediterranean or Black
Seas with the exception of those of Russia, Belgium,
France, Spain and Portugal. Declarations of ultimate
destination will consequently be required until further
notice in respect to all exports, without regard to value of
consignments, to all the foreign ports referred to above.
For the present, however (except in regard to sugar),
certificates of origin will not be required in respect of
imports of foodstuffs or in respect of any imports from
ports other than those specified in Schedule !., or in respect
of individual consignments not exceeding <£100 in value.
Any goods, wares or merchandise imported from the above-
mentioned foreign ports, except as provided in the
preceding paragraph, unaccompanied by certificates of

origin, will be detained by the Commissioners of Customs
and Excise until the requisite certificates are produced.
The Commissioners are, however, authorised in such cases,
and at their discretion, to allow delivery of the goods on the
security of a deposit or of a bond to the amount of three
times the value of the goods with a view to the production
of the necessary certificates within a prescribed period,
provided that they see no reason for suspecting that the
goods emanate from an enemy country. The following
goods will be exempt from these requirements :—(a) Goods
imported or exported under licence; (b) goods shipped for
the United Kingdom on or before October 19; (c) goods in
respect of which Customs export entries have been
accepted before October 9. Schedule I. contains a list of
ports in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands and Italy
in respect of imports from which certificates of origin will
be required.

It is satisfactory to note that unemployment is still on
the decrease in the trades compulsorily insured against
unemployment—namely, building, works of construction,
engineering, shipbuilding, vehicle making, &c., the per-
centage of unemployment at October 9 was 4’8, as compared
with 5T a week ago, and 5’9 a month ago. These figures
relate to the whole of the United Kingdom, and include all
unemployed workmen in the insured trades.

In reply to an enquiry relative to the loading of timber
on the decks of vessels, the Board of Trade state that
representations having been made to them as to difficulties
attending the export of timber from Russia, Sweden, and
Norway to the United Kingdom at the present time, they
have decided not to take any proceedings under section 10
of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906, against the masters or
owners of vessels arriving in the United Kingdom from
ports in Russia, Sweden, and Norway between October 31,
and November 15 next with deck loads of wood goods
carried under other conditions than those allowed by the
section in question.

At Newcastle Police Court, on Tuesday, Thomas Hartley
Seed, described as a shipbroker, Gosforth, was charged
on remand with having attempted to trade with the
enemy, contrary to Statute 4 and 5, George V., Chapter 87.
Accused is a partner in the firm of Messrs. Harper, Seed
and Co., shipbrokers, Newcastle. There was also on the
charge sheet the name Frederick Petersen, who had been
arrested in London on a warrant, charging him with
having traded with the enemy contrary to Statute 4 and 5,
George V., Chapter 87. Petersen was described as a
shipowner, and he is head of the firm of Messrs. H. G.
Harper and Co., London. Of German birth, Petersen
became a naturalised Englishman in 1899. Mr. Humphreys,
in opening the case, said there had been a charge preferred
against the defendant Seed and that had been partly
heard. He proposed to continue that case, and, on proving
it, to ask the Bench to commit Seed for trial. He would
then proceed with another charge against Seed, in which
another person was concerned. Mr. Humphreys then
briefly referred to the first charge against Seed, which
related to two letters which had been opened at the office
of the Censor, who acted under the War Office. The
suggestion of the prosecution was that the defendant had
attempted to trade with Mr. Wohlenburg, who was an
enemy, and that was an offence against the Statute, which
made it an offence to have any commercial or financial
transaction with the enemy. Evidence was then heard
bearing out Mr. Humphrey’s statement. The Bench
intimated that they were of opinion that it was a case
which should be decided by a jury. When the second case
was opened, the defendant Seed and the defendant
Petersen were placed together in the dock. Mr. Humphreys
said the charges upon which he would ask the magistrates
to commit the defendants for trial were, first, of conspiring
together by the creation of fictitious documents and the
making of false entries in the register of the company to
defeat the rights of the Crown. Secondly, upon the charge
of conspiring to contravene the provisions of the Companies
Act. Thirdly, upon the charge of trading with the
enemy. With regard to the latter charge, he would point
out that the recent Proclamation prohibited the entering
into any new commercial, financial, or other contracts or
obligation with or for the benefit of any person resident in
the German Empire. The fourth charge dealt with a
serious offence which the defendants had committed, and
that was the offence of forgery. From the definition of
the Forgery Act it was quite clear that the certificates in
this case were forgeries, and particularly false in the date.
Evidence was then called. The Bench remanded the
accused for committal for trial. Bail was allowed in the
sum of £>500 each and two sureties of £250 each.

In the King’s Bench Division on Tuesday Mr. Justice
Sankey decided a question raising a point of liability for a
bill endorsed by a Hamburg banker. Messrs. Haarbleicher
and Schumann, bill discounters and brokers, of Leadenhall-
street, London, E.C., brought an action against Messrs. H.
Baerselman, carrying on business in the city, for the
recovery of £1,001 16s. upon a foreign bill of exchange,
drawn and accepted by the defendants, who refused pay-
ment on the ground that the bill had been endorsed by an
alien enemy. Mr. Gordon Hewart, K.C., M.P., for the
plaintiffs, said the bill was drawn in Petrograd. It was
drawn on the defendants, accepted by them, and made
payable to the order of Mr. Reuben Elias Reuben, of
Hamburg. It was presented by Reuben to the plaintiffs,
and was payable one month after date. It was dated
July 20, but on maturity the defendants refused acceptance.
Reacceptance was further expressly refused under the
Postponement of Payment Act, 1914. It was submitted
that the endorsement of Reuben was a restrictive one for
his benefit, and he being an alien banker the defendants
were justified in their attitude. It was said that Reuben’s
endorsement, “fur mich,” meant “for my benefit,” but the
plaintiffs alleged that this had no restrictive effect as the
defendants contended. Sir Felix Schuster, chairman of the
Bankers’ Clearing House, said the endorsement had no
restrictive effect whatever. It was the usual form of
German endorsement, and gave all the rights of the
endorsee to the endorser. His lordship said that in
deciding a previous case in defendants’ favour he had not
the benefit of the evidence he had that day. On the
evidence now before him he had no hesitation in giving
judgment in the plaintiffs' favour, with costs. His lordship
entered judgment accordingly. He refused a stay, but said
that in the event of an appeal, as the principle was one of
importance, he thought the hearing should be expedited.