182

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

January 22, 1915.

ment sympathy in regard to the excise laws, and
other matters, and want of any mutual appreciation
between the “counting-house and the laboratory.”
Germany, on the other hand, by its persistent system
of organised efficiency, backed up by the State, where
necessary, made a [great success in this branch of
trade; and we believe that the present attitude of
such bodies as the Bradford Dyers’ Association
Limited, and the Calico Printers’ Association, is to
some extent affected by a kind of diffidence in the
sufficiency of the Government scheme to meet the
situation that must arise when Germany again enters
the competitive arena. And we believe that diffidence
is fully justified. We do not credit either the
Government or the British manufacturing chemists
with any real repentance for the follies committed
in the past. It is probable that neither would
admit its own responsibility in the matter,
although each would probably blame the other
for the result. Prof. Meldola has recently
shown that if the methods by which Germany
built up the colour industry continue to be
ignored in this country, any scheme for its permanent
re-establishment will be foredoomed to failure. But
there is no sign that either the Government or
British manufacturers even yet realise exactly what
these German methods are. Some of the latter are
seeking security for the future in the form of protective
tariffs, others in the form of Government grants in
aid, but no one seems yet to have exactly hit the nail
on the head, or to have realised the conditions by
which’alone such an industry can be placed upon an
unassailable basis. Por example, divergencies of
opinion exist upon so elementary a matter as the
•composition of the board of directors for any new
company or combination that may be formed to deal
with this business. While most agree that it should
not consist solely of lawyers, there are serious
differences as to the relative importance of the
business man and the scientific expert. In this
matter we appear to be grovelling amidst a host of
different opinions, all more or less plausible according
to particular points of view.

In the meantime the stock of dyes is running
short, and the demand for more is becoming daily
more urgent. That the situation will be effectively
met we fully believe. It is inconceivable that our
national instinct should fail to frame some practical
proposal suitable for the present emergency, and it
is equally to be expected that out of the chaotic state
of opinion now prevailing common sense will finally
emerge triumphant.

One result cannot fail to follow from the coming
revival of the coal tar colour industry; it will assist
in increasing the demand and maintaining the price
of the by-products of the coke oven and the gas
retort. That seems to be a conclusion upon which it
is safe to build, and it is one that should not be
ignored by colliery proprietors. There is still much
neglect of this branch of the industry, and war time
may not seem to be the most opportune moment
for laying down new plant; but amidst all the
uncertainties of the future there is at least a reason-
able assurance that when peace is finally re-estab-
lished, we shall more than ever be relying upon coal
and its many derivatives.

LABOUR AID ¥<ACES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

The joint committee dealing with wages and conditions for
banksmen has met again in Cardiff, Mr. Evan Williams pre-
siding over the owners’ representatives, and Mr. George
Barker over the workmen. A special subject of discussion
was the terms of employment at collieries where the duties
of banksmen are not continuous during the 24 hours. No
final decision was arrived at, although some progress towards
agreement was made, and the meeting was adjourned.

The executive council of the South Wales Miners’ Federa-
tion has discussed the question of renewing the Conciliation
Board agreement, following in this respect the conference
of the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain in London. The
argument in support of terminating the agreement was that
it needed amendment, especially by abolition of the maxi-
mum, and by extending the principle of six turns for five.
Contrary argument is that the industrial truce should be
continued as long as the war lasted, seeing that the “ triple
demand,” namely, that of the miners, transport workers, and
railwaymen, could not now be put into effect. After a long
discussion, it was agreed to summon a general conference of
Bouth Wales delegates for February 6 in order to deal with
this and other questions. The council also considered the
position of winding engine men, some of whom were said ti
have come to an arrangement with the owners that they

were to be paid a bonus if they were members only of the
Winding Men’s Association; and it was resolved to bring
this matter before the next meeting of the Conciliation
Board.

At Abertillery on Monday, during the monthly meeting of
the Western Valleys miners, the same question (of the con-
tinuance of the Conciliation Board -agreement) came forward
for discussion. Mr. George Barker, the agent, mentioned
that the English Board were negotiating, and that this was
the first time in the history of the Federation that all the
agreements would end practically at the same time. Owing
to the war, however, the programme of the Federation had
been suspended, and the question was whether the South
Wales men should tender notices ending the present agree-
ment. In his opinion, it was desirable to terminate it,
because the maximum clause prevented the men from parti-
cipating in the higher market price of coal. The meeting
decided to have the subject brought up, and also that of the
Parliamentary levy, at the conference which is to be held
in Cardiff on February 6. It was reported that efforts to
make a price list at Arael Griffin Big Vein had not suc-
ceeded, and the application of the workmen that they might
be allowed to tender notice was referred to the lodges. The
agent stated that at that colliery three seams were being
worked without a price list.

The question of the renewal of the Conciliation Board
agreement, which terminates at the end of June, provided
either party gives notice on April 1, came up also at the
meeting of East Glamorgan miners at Caerphilly on Monday,
when Mr. Hubert Jenkins, the agent, answered an enquiry
as to whether any arrangement had been entered into
between the coal owners and workmen’s representatives on
the subject. Mr. Jenkins said that no arrangement for
continuance had been effected, but that the matter would
come up for discussion at the meeting of the Conciliation
Board on Monday next. He explained that April 1 will be
the first date on which the three months’ notice could be
given for amendment or termination. In his opinion, there
was no reason why negotiations should not be opened with
the coal owners as to terms and conditions of a future
agreement, and, indeed, he siaid negotiations were proceed-
ing with the English Board. One proposal brought forward
at the meeting was that the question of the payment of six
turns for five should be pressed in any negotiations under-
taken, and it was decided to co-operate with the Rhymney
Valley district in bringing this particularly to an early
settlement. It was reported to the meeting that the diffi-
culty at Bedwas—with reference to the non-payment of the
bonus shift to men who had gone out before finishing time,
because two men had been killed—had been settled
amicably. Reports were presented upon a number of com-
pensation cases, and reference was made to the decision
given in the county court in respect of a man who was
killed in the Senghenydd explosion. He had started work
only a few days before the explosion, and the question in
dispute was reported to have been the period of employment
and the point as to determining average wage on which to
assess compensation. The county court judge had awarded
maximum compensation, namely, T300.

North of England.

Regarding the present high freights and consequent
increased cost of food, the executive committee of the
Northumberland Miners’ Association has passed the follow-
ing resolution :—“ This committee, representing the North-
umberland Miners’ Association, regards with grave appre-
hension the greatly enhanced prices of household necessaries,
and calls upon the Government to so regulate prices that
the community may not be exploited in an unscrupulous
manner, the committee being of the opinion that the
monopoly now possessed by shipowners largely accounts for
the increase in price of foodstuffs.”

It is regrettable to note that friction between the miners
working at Morpeth Moor Colliery and the owners appears
to have become so intense that an early closing of the pit
is imminent. The men, who number about 200 altogether,
have received notice to terminate their employment on
January 23, and, apparently, it is the intention of the com-
pany to close the colliery. Last week a number of the men
who had only worked two days in a recent week, unsuccess-
fully sued the company at Morpeth for their rent, which had
been deducted for that week. For the company, however, it
was contended that there was an arrangement by which the
meh must work three shifts, if the pit worked, in order to
claim the rent, and the men’s claim failed. When these
cases were disposed of, two of the miners successfully claimed
for money in lieu of loads of coal, which should have been
delivered to them. The company then claimed 5s. per day
from 143 of the miners for having absented themselves from
work on nine days in March and April last, but the Bench
ultimately struck-out the cases, which had already been
adjourned several times. It was in the course of these pro-
ceedings before the magistrates that Mr. Sheriton Holmes,
representing the company, stated that his clients had inti-
mated that they. would have no more bother, but would
close the colliery.

Representatives of the Durham coal owners and the
Durham Deputies’ Association have met in conference to
discuss requests by the latter for additional pay for Sunday
work, increased pay for “ wet working,” and the raising of
the basis wage. The owners, however, intimate that they
cannot accede to any of the requests.

Coal owners and miners’ delegates, representative of the
Northumberland District Board under the Minimum Wage
Act, met at the Coal Trade Offices, Mining Institute, New-
castle, on Friday last, to discuss the proposed revision of
rates and rules fixed by Lord Mersey’s award of October 18,
1913. Twelve months had to elapse before three months’
notice for revision could be given, and both owners and
miners gave the necessary notice at the expiration of the
12 months. Mr. Thomas Taylor was in the chair. The
proposed rules were discussed, but the meeting failed to
come to any arrangement, and the meeting was adjourned
until February 6.

Federated Area.

The negotiations between the coal owners’ and men’s repre-
sentatives forming the Conciliation Board for the federated
mining districts in England and North Wales, were con-
tinued at the Westminster Palace Hotel, London, on the
15th inst. Mr. F. J. Jones, West Yorkshire, chairman,
presided, with Mr. Stephen Walsh, M.P., in the vice-chair.
The men proposed that the basis of a new agreement shall
be the substitution of a new wage standard for the present
wage standard of 1888, with the present minimum wage of
50 per cent, on the 1888 wage as the new standard. They
also ask that the agreement shall begin with a minimum
wage of 15 per cent, above the present standard, or 10 per
cent, on the proposed new standard. To put the position

plainly, the men ask that the existing wage of 65 per cent,
above the standard of 1888 shall be the future minimum,
and that all wage alterations shall be taken from that point
as the irreducible basis wage. The coal owners’ section has
offered to accept a new wage standard of 50 per cent, on
the 1888 basis, but they contend that future alterations of
wages should be from the basis wage, and not from a
percentage added to the basis. The sub-committee again
met on Tuesday. The coal owners’ and men’s sections of
the Board were in attendance, and the members forming the
sub-committee had several separate meetings with their own
section during the day. At the adjournment shortly before
six o’clock the joint secretaries stated that there was no
official report. The matter had been further discussed and
adjourned until next week. It is stated that the protracted
negotiations have resulted in some progress towards an
agreement, but the essential point of difference between
the parties remains the minimum wage to be paid under the
agreement. It is probable the parties will arrange that the
new agreement, if completed, shall not come into operation
until January 1, 1916, or the end of the war, whichever may
be earlier.

A new factor in the West Yorkshire dispute is the
threatened legal action of a number of owners of small
collieries in the West Yorkshire area to apply to the courts
for a mandamus to secure the fixing by the District Board
under the Minimum Wage Act of a separate wage minimum
for small collieries. The contention is that the economic
conditions of working a small colliery employing only a
comparatively few workmen are entirely different from the
large modern collieries, and that these peculiar economic
conditions should be given special consideration under the
Minimum Wage Act on the award of the fixed minimum
wage.

Balloting on the question of handing in 14 days’ notice to
enforce the miners’ interpretation of Judge Amphlett’s new
minimum wage award, was commenced on Tuesday at
several of the West Yorkshire collieries affected by the dis-
pute. Several meetings have taken place throughout the
area, and the men have been advised by their leaders to
vote in favour of a strike. The result will probably be
made known to-day (Friday) or to-morrow. A two-thirds
majority will be required before notices are handed in.

THE L01D01 COAL TRADE.

Thursday, January 21.

The London coal trade still continues brisk, but the
difficulties of transport, and especially the difficulty of
obtaining labour for conveying the coal from the depot to
the householder, seems to be increasing rather than other-
wise. Many of the merchants have a large number of
orders on hand, and horses and vans standing idle because
the railway companies have not brought forward the
supplies as they are wanted. The attendance on the
Exchange has been fairly good, and the colder weather
created a firm, brisk demand for coal, especially of. the
Derby brights and the bakers’ nuts quality. Very few of the
leading collieries, however, have any quantity to offer, and
whilst the delays are so heavy in transit they are exceedingly
careful as to the labelling for certain stations. Pit prices
are very firm, and sales are only very sparingly entered
into. The continued delay in the arrival of loaded wagons
is causing a considerable amount of anxiety, as in addition
to the want of the coal the loss in the wagon hire is a
serious point. Happily the bitterly cold weather of the
early part of the week gave way to milder conditions, so
that the house coal market is not so hampered as formerly,
and with the prospect of a certain number of the interned
foreign vessels being used for coal cargoes along the coast
and on the River Thames, the outlook begins to look more
favourable for the householder, the main difficulty just now
is the shortage of men at the various wharves and depots.
On Monday 21 vessels entered the river, and on Wednesday
nine, but they were all loaded with contract cargoes. A
good deal of the railborne traffic is now confined to
customers’ own wagons, and unless the buyer can send
in his own wagons, the orders are declined. The general
tone of the market was not so firm on Wednesday
as on Monday last, but this is doubtless attributable
to the milder conditions and to the fact that the
railway companies are at last bestirring themselves to
bring forward coal belonging to general traders as well
as that required for Government use. The congestion of
trucks at some of the principal stations, and the famine
along some of the southern lines, is becoming slightly easier,
but there is still a very heavy shortage on the London and
South-Western line. Welsh Admiralty hards are still
quoting at 20s. to 21s. f.o.b. Cardiff. Freights are quoted very
high, and the demand for outward coal tonnage still keeps
firm. Various rumours have been in circulation lately with
reference to the Government taking some measures as to
the regulation of the increasing prices of coal in London,
but as the main increase is clearly attributable to the
action of the Government in commandeering so many of
the trucks and barges, taken, of course, in conjunction
with the enormous amount of labour withdrawn through
enlisting, that it would be very interesting to know how
they could intervene in any satisfactory way whilst
the conditions are as they are. Prices are bound to
rule high whilst there is such a diminution in the output.
As compared, however, with a year ago, the price charged
to the householder is not more than 5 to 71 per cent,
increase. The bulk of the coal coming to London in normal
times would be seaborne, and now whilst the war is on
this is, of course, reduced very considerably, and the railway
companies with the heavy traffic for military purposes have
been unable to cope with the mineral traffic, so that it is
easily seen where the increased price is likely to come in.
With the approach, however, of the longer days, and the
wider control of vessels on the high seas, there seems no
real reason for panic.

From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Co.’s Report.

Friday, January 15.—There was a fair demand for
seaborne house coal at to-day’s market, but no supplies
coming forward at present. Cargoes 14.

Monday, January 18.—There was a slight improvement
in the tone of the seaborne house coal market to-day, but
as usual, no cargoes on offer. Cargoes 21.

Wednesday, January 20.—There was no change in the
seaborne house Coal market to-day, which remained without
supplies. Cargoes 9.