28

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

January 1, 1915.

others; financial embarrassments of a serious nature
have had to be met; transport facilities have been
gravely disturbed by the diversion of rolling stock
and tonnage by the Government to other services ;
freights have risen abnormally, as a consequence of
this and of the closing of busy trade routes for
purposes of defence; the call to the Colours has
left many collieries with a much-depleted staff, and the
advancing cost of materials—of pitwood notably—
has further increased the difficulties of the industry,
which, in addition, has opened its purse lavishly to
the appeals for charity.

The picture, shown in this light, may seem gloomy,
but the spirit of hopefulness, in which the people
has emerged from its early difficulties, has not left,
the coal trade untouched. In the first place comes
the determined temper of all to succeed, to accept
afflictions with courage, to compound all little
differences and to co-operate in the serious work that
lies ahead. Apart from the benefits that follow from
such a spirit, however, the situation itself is not
altogether discouraging. The war has been waged
most fiercely in some of the chief coal-producing
centres—the Dombrowa, Silesian, and Galician basins
in Eastern Europe, the Liege, Charleroi and Mons
basins in Belgium, and the Nord and Pas-de-Calais
basins in France. Our French allies are dependent
upon the output of two collieries, Maries and Bruay,
in the North, upon the unimportant Gare and Loire
coalfields in the South, and, for the rest, upon
ourselves. The output of coal in Germany has been
reduced by about 40 per cent, on account of the
high cost of production, whilst her external trade
has practically been wiped out. Austria-Hungary is
in similar case. Altered conditions of life may
modify the significance of this diminished supply,
which we should estimate at over 60,000,000 tons, on
an annual basis, but the fact remains that coal is
still needed, and that vengeance has been wreaked
ruthlessly upon industrial establishments within the
terrain of conflict, to such an extent that many
months must elapse after the war has ended before
even a small proportion of these collieries can be placed
in working order again.

We shall deal at greater length with the different
facets of our foreign trade when the returns for the
completed year are available ; for the present it is
enough to say that the decline of some 14,000,000
tons in exports resulting from the war—against
which must be set the supplies furnished to the
order of the Admiralty—do not provide an index for
even the immediate future. We may anticipate
growing competition from America, but it is pro-
bable, notwithstanding economic and other difficulties,
that British coal will continue to go abroad in
increasing quantities. For the present there musf
be some suffering, and it is regrettable that certain
districts, such as the north of England and the east
of Scotland, should have been called upon to make
inordinate sacrifices. To remedy this other means of
transit must be opened up, even at the expense of
disturbing monopolies, for this is above all a time
when private interests must bow before the para-
mount interests of the nation as a whole, which are
that the country’s resources should be employed to
the best advantage.

In this direction, we feel, the coalmining industry
has much to hope for. For some little time now it
has been apparent that the horizon of coal has been
changed, and this war may exert a profound
educative influence. The domain of coal in the
future does not lie in the householder’s cellar or the
manufacturer’s yard, but in the chemical laboratory.
The revivification of the British dye and drug
industries, in which coal must play no unimportant
part, should eventually redound to the benefit of the
industry.

Another welcome development to which we may
allude is the improvement in the relations between
capital and labour. The war has done much to
abolish class distinctions and to increase mutual
respect. There is less disposition to exaggerate the
importance of rights and privileges in the face of a
common danger. This is especially satisfactory to
the coal trade, which had to anticipate serious trouble
on the expiry of the existing wages agreements at
the outset of the present year. In the discussion of

these and other questions that may arise in the
future, it is not too much to hope that a spirit of
sweet reasonableness will take the place of the ener-
vating acrimony that has characterised the con-
sideration of such problems in the past.

LABOUR Am WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

The coal trimmers of Cardiff, Barry, and Penarth held a
meeting on Sunday to discuss whether they would, in regard
to Admiralty shipments, vary their practice of stopping at
one o’clock on Saturdays. The chairman (Mr. Clatworthy)
stated that they had been asked by the Admiralty to
continue at work after one o’clock on French and Bussian
shipments, but the officials had thought it best to consult
the men first of all, before giving a definite reply. It was
for the men themselves to decide, after they had given full
consideration to the fact that by helping the French and
Russians they were really helping our own country. A
resolution was unanimously passed that the matter should be
left in the hands of the executive, but instructions were
given that if work were done in these particular circum-
stances care should be taken that it did not prejudice the
general one o’clock stoppage taking effect after the war.

A mass meeting of Tredegar miners have, it is said,
decided to allocate T500, the sum raised by their levy up
to October 17, in two portions : T400 to the local hospital,
and 1100 to the local relief committee for supplementing
payments from the Prince of Wales’s Fund. After the
date named the money, it is said, is to be given direct to
the Federation offices. There still remains a division of
opinion, so that the later contributions, which amount to
between T600 and T700, will in all probability go to the
Prince of Wales’s Fund, for the allegation that the levy
ought to be applied in relief to unemployment is said to
have no direct bearing upon conditions in the Tredegar
district, where no unemployment has existed.

The Blaina district of miners held their monthly meeting
on Tuesday, when it was reported that men working at
Stone’s Slope had not yet contributed to the Prince of
Wales’s Fund. The employers had been asked to make
deductions at the offices in respect of those contributions,
but some of the men had thereatened that if this were done
they would cease work, and therefore no deductions were
made. The meeting decided to send their agent and their
secretary to meet the men again, and ask them to consent
to the reduction, and to point out that part of the money
would be utilised in reimbursing the Federation executive
in respect of the T20,000 paid to the anthracite and western
district.

It was decided to take a ballot on the question of paying
local Labour members on public bodies.

North of England.

The manner in which the European war is injuring all
sections interested in the Northumberland coal trade is
illustrated by the result of the third ascertainment under the
new county sliding scale for the regulation of miners’
wages. The ascertainment, which is for the three months
ended November, shows that the average selling price of
coal at the pithead has dropped from 9s. 5'58d. to 9s. 2’37d.,
a reduction of 3‘21d. on the quarter. As the scale provides
for a change in the rate of wages of 1 per cent, for each
penny alteration in price, miners’ wages are forthwith
reduced by 3 per cent., leaving them 47 per cent, above the
basis of 1879. Three months ago wages were unaltered;
six months since, the first ascertainment under the new
scale resulted in a reduction of 24 per cent.

Resolutions of condolence which were passed at the
meeting on Wednesday last week of the executive committee
of the Durham Miners’ Association, were very feelingly and
appropriately worded. After expressing regret at the illness
of their esteemed secretary, Dr. John Wilson, a resolution
of sympathy was extended to Mr. M. W. Farrington, agent
to the Monkwearmouth Coal Company, whose son was killed
in 'action a few weeks ago. The resolution concluded :—
“ Some of us were personally acquainted with the brave
officer, and could therefore appreciate his manly conduct.”
The committee further expressed to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas
Taylor their sympathy with them in the death of Capt.
Hugh Taylor, and added :—“ We would like to assure Mr.
Taylor that our appreciation of his son has been derived
from our collective contact with him in our business
meetings. We have ever found him to be a fair-minded
employer, never inclined to take advantage, who has always,
so far as possible, dealt out justice; and we assure him that
our sympathy for him in this severe trial is based upon our
appreciation of his dealings with us.” The committee
passed on to endorse the resolution of the Miners’ Federation
regarding the necessity of a minimum allowance of T1 per
week to the dependants of those now serving with the
British Forces, and to the widows or dependants of those
killed in war or dead from wounds or disease contracted in
the war, with T1 per week for total disablement, with an
addition to these allowances of 3s. 6d. per week for each
dependent child under working age.

A meeting of the Cleveland Miners’ and Quarrymen’s
Association was held on Monday at Middlesbrough, Mr.
Harry Dack, president, in the chair. The chairman said
that over 11 per cent, of their membership were with the
King’s Forces, and the time had arrived when it was very
necessary to consider whether it was in the best interests of
the country to make any further draw upon the district.
The industry with which they were identified was one of
the first importance to the Government in providing
material for munitions of war. With regard to trade, he
remarked that stocks had not altered very much during the
past quarter, and prices, which had ebbed and flowed from
week to week, were now’ higher than they had been for the
whole year—about 54s. per ton being the figure at present.

A meeting of the hewers employed at Wellington Pit,
Whitehaven, was held on Saturday evening last, to receive
a report of a deputation which had been appointed to meet
the secretary of the Whitehaven Colliery Company (Mr.
Reynolds) and the manager of the Wellington Pit (Mr.
Steel), with reference to the dispute which is pending. The
deputation consisted of Mr. J. Hanlon (miners’ agent) and
Mr. J. T. Mathers. Mr. Hanlon gave the report, and
advised the men to work in their old “ cavils ” this week,
and, in the meantime, he would inspect the place and take
measurements, and also arrange for an interview with the
directors. Failing any settlement, it is understood the men
will cease wrnrk at the end of the week. With regard to the

dispute which has arisen owing to the dismissal of a com-
pany of men for alleged improper working of a place, a
statement has been made by the management to the effect
that for some time past the lessor of the colliery (Lord
Lonsdale), through his agent, has been complaining that
some of the workings in the colliery have been so worked as
to fail to comply with the conditions of the lease. These
provide that the workings must be kept a certain width, and
failure to comply with them involves the company in heavy
penalties. This matter w7as considered at a meeting of the
directors of the company, and they were unanimous in
resolving that the terms of the lease must be adhered to,
and that men found doing’ that which they should not do
be not employed by the colliery, since fines, which had
hitherto been inflicted, did not seem to have the necessary
effect.

The annual meeting of the members of the Durham County
Colliery Enginemen’s, Boilerminders’ and Firemen’s Asso-
ciation was held on Thursday of last week at Durham, Mr.
Michael Westgarth, of Ryton, presiding. In his report, the
agent (Mr. W. B. Charlton) said there had been strong
resentment expressed at the action of the Durham Concilia-
tion Board in reducing the basis wages by 3^ per cent. The
election of officers resulted :—President, Mr. Westgarth,
re-elected; winding committee, Mr. D. Ireland, Shildon;
committee (other classes), Mr. John W. Snowdon, Spenny-
moor; auditors, Mr. Wm. Maltby, Edmondsley, and Mr.
Jos. Richardson, Ryhope.

In his monthly circular to the Durham miners, Dr. Wilson
refers to the matter of the three-shift system. The repre-
sentatives of the Durham Association, he says, had met the
owners and discussed the question as to how far it was
possible to restrict the system during the war, seeing that
so many men have gone into the Services. The men’s
representatives pointed out that they simply wished to ease
matters, and, where it was possible, to revert back to the
two shifts. The owners expressed a willingness to comply
on condition that the men would agree to revert to the old
system of three shifts when the crisis was at an end, or if it
was found that the new7 arrangement would not work. The
men agreed to these conditions, and the owners intimated
that they would communicate with each company in
reference to the matter.

Federated Area.

The North Wales Miners’ Federation have given notice
for an advance of Is. per day on the minimum wage.

Colliery owmers in the Old' Hill district are interested in
steps which the district miners’ association are taking to
secure what they term the ‘ ‘ reinstatement ’ ’ of several
miners belonging to the association. Some weeks ago a
dispute occurred at Warren’s Hall Colliery with the pony
drivers, and although certain concessions were made to the
men, several of them declined to accept the offer, and, after
giving notice, left their employment with Messrs. H. S.
Pitt and Company. Since then the men concerned have
obtained situations at other collieries, but have been dis-
missed from these second pits, it is alleged, without formal
notice. In one particular instance, it is stated, a pony
driver employed at the Warren’s Hall Colliery, obtained
work at another colliery, but after working several turns he
was suddenly stopped and compelled to leave the colliery.
The delegates of the miners’ association, it is understood,
considered the matter at a recent meeting, and decided to
secure reinstatement. Failing this, a strike is threatened.
In another part of the Staffordshire district the miners have
just decided to take steps with regard to the custom which
has prevailed in the Black Country coalfield for many years
of granting allowance coal to injured miners. It has been
the usual practice that, when a miner meets with an acci-
dent, allowance coal is given to his family, in addition to
his compensation, and at collieries where the coal is not
allowed, a sum of money as an equivalent has been granted.
At several of the Old Hill pits, owing-to the apathy of the
miners, and through various other causes, the giving of the
coal has lately been withdrawn. Some such cases have, it
is said, come under the consideration of the local association,
and it has been decided to make them test cases in the
county court.

Scotland.

In connection with a request made by the Flemington
Coal Company Limited to the miners employed at Gate-
side Colliery, Cambuslang, who number fully 500 men, for
the miners to continue at work on Saturdays, their usual
idle day, which would be a departure from the five days’
county union policy, a meeting of the miners was held at
the colliery to discuss the situation. Mr. Andrew Dougall,
checkweigher, presided, and it was stated that the colliery
had secured a Government contract, and it was necessary to
maintain the output to increase the working day. The
men unanimously decided to work on Saturdays, with the
view of assisting the Government as much as possible.

The monthly meeting of the executive board of the Fife
and Kinross Miners’ Association was held at Dunfermline
last week. Reports from the districts showed that the
working time had considerably improved towards the end
of the year, and that at nearly every one of the collieries
meantime full working time w7as being obtained.

Mr. A. Clarke, Niddrie Collieries, presided at a conference
of the Mid and East Lothian Miners’ Association held in
the Federation Offices at Dalkeith on Saturday. Delegates
were present from 20 districts. It was intimated that the
workmen of Vogrie Colliery had now also been formed into
a branch of the Lothians Association. Reports showed that
since the last meeting of the board trade had been upon ,
the whole very satisfactory for the present situation. Miners
were getting from eight to 11 days’ work per fortnight in
most instances. As a result of the increase in the number
of hours during which coal can be loaded at Leith docks,
much inconvenience had been removed, and the fulfilment
of orders was now less delayed as a consequence. The
secretary stated that, including Reservists and Territorials
who had been called up at the outbreak of the war, and
those who had since enlisted, about 2,000 men were serving
their country in the Army and Navy.

Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades.

Messrs. J. R. Winpenny and James Cox, general
secretaries of the Northern Iron Trade Board of Conciliation
and Arbitration, having received from Messrs. Price, Water-
house and Company the result of the ascertainment of the
average net selling price of steel plates at Consett during
September, October, and November, 1914, have forwarded to
the Consett Iron Company Limited a certificate that, in
accordance with the agreement entered into on March 30,
1896, the wages to be paid to the steel millmen in the
quarter beginning January next will be the same as pre-
vailed during the preceding three months, viz., 124 per
cent, above the standard.