666 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN March 26, 1915. Notes from the Coalfields. [Local Correspondence.] South Wales and Monmouthshire. Important Alteration in the System of Foreign Trading— Exports to Italy : A Contradiction—Mr. Joseph Shaw and the Ab er dare Miners : A Protest and Threat— Powerful Appeal to Miners by One of their Leaders : Striking Statistics-—Mr. F. Mills and the Ebbw Vale Employees—Freight Position and Prospects—Develop- ments in Glyncorrwg and the Avon Valley — Elders Collieries Become “ Celtic "—Colliery Proprietor Wins Case on “Accident " Issue—Allocation of Tips : Strong Protest by Cardiff Chamber of Commerce. The drastic effect upon the coal trade which was experi- enced on the outbreak of war—as much as a million sterling in foreign accounts being the estimate of amounts outstand- ing from this district alone — has given emphasis to the demand for reform; and the Newport District Board of the South Wales Coal Owners’ Association has been pushing forward a proposal that the basis of payment should be altered from 3Q days to 14 days, or even seven days, the change to come into effect on July 1. During the war period, of course, the old practice had been to a large extent suspended, and instead of the earlier system of net cash at 30 days, business has been done at. cash on shipment, less J per cent, discount, foreign contracts being cash against documents. Cardiff Chamber of Commerce has the matter now under consideration, and it is expected that a recom- mendation in favour of the new proposal will be made by the council to the general body of members. The matter is of considerable importance, as will be recognised; and the shortening of the term will only bring South Wales into line with Newcastle and Glasgow. A statement was in circulation last week as to alleged stoppage of exports of coal to Italy; but that statement was without foundation. Ever since the outbreak of war ship- ments have been closely scrutinised, and it has been in the ordinary course of this scrutiny that a few hours’ delay has arisen, and thereby given rise to reports of prohibition. Shippers apparently became a little slack in complying with regulations that were issued in the early days of the war, but no fresh instructions were given out, nor has any- thing been done additional to the original supervision. Partly the slackness of shipments was due to adverse rates of exchange with Italy, partly to the preferential require- ments of the British Admiralty, and the Allied Govern- ments, but largely to the shortage of coal supply. The Aberdare miners have discussed the observations of Mr. Joseph Shaw, chairman of the Powell Duffryn Com- pany, who referred to the large number of absentees, and suggested that public-houses should be closed earlier. At the monthly meeting on Tuesday they passed a resolution of strong protest, and added that “ while on this occasion our good sense and spirit of patriotism induce us, in a way, to. go on working, we wish to make it known that if Mr. Shaw happens to express himself again in any such terms, there will be recourse to a stoppage of the company’s collieries, and to the prosecution of more drastic measures. The statement was uncalled for, and absolutely unbecoming on the part of a man in Mr. Shaw’s position. Such whole- sale charges penalise the many for the sake of the very few.” The agent (Mr. Stanton) made a strong appeal to the meeting that they should resume work immediately after Easter holidays; and it was decided to issue a recom- mendation in this sense to the various lodges. The Caerphilly Council have voted the sum of .£23 towards erecting a monument over the graves of those who were buried unidentified on the occasion of the Senghenydd disaster. Addressing a meeting of miners on Friday evening last week at Maesteg, Mr. Vernon Hartshorn made a very important statement as to irregularity of work amongst them. He referred to the national crisis, and the call of Lord Kitchener addressed specially to the miners; and said that whilst the workmen would resist any attempt to deprive them of their liberties in the interests of the employers, he wanted to point out that the workers had most important responsibilities towards the country in respect of the war. He believed that the miners now employed in the pits could produce all the coal required if they cared to do it. The bulk of the men did put forward their best energies, and often overtaxed their strength; yet there was a section of miners—as there was a section amongst all classes—who lost considerable time. In South Wales there were from 15 to 20 per cent, of absentees every day of the year, and whilst 5 per cent, perhaps were accounted for by sickness, at least 10 per cent, could avoid that loss of time. If the men were to keep the Eight Hours Act and other similar rights, those men who are now losing time needlessly must do their duty by working regularly. The miners’ regular work was as essential to victory as the soldiers’ in the trench. The Government had not sufficient munitions for war, and manufacturers were complaining that they could not get enough coal. He asked his hearers to realise that the lives of thousands of our ’brave soldiers, and perhaps the fate of the country, depended upon the regularity and energy with which they worked. Mr. F. Mills, managing director of the Ebbw Vale Steel, Iron, and Coal Company, has issued a powerful appeal to the workmen dealing with the “ extraordinary conditions under Which the company is now conducting operations.” He states that owing to high freights the company has to pay very heavily for its supply of pitwood, iron ore, and other raw materials,. whilst it is carrying out old contracts. The output of coal at the company’s pits has fallen one-sixth, and the product of iron and steel about one-fourth, in both cases there being inevitable addition to the cost of production. The company’s coal is being supplied to the British Government and also to the navies of the Allied Powers, and provision is being made for the manufacture of shells for the British Army. Mr. Mills appeals to the men to lose as little time as possible, and to avoid, stoppage of work for any reason. The management, he states, is prepared to discuss any grievance; and there are proper tribunals for the adjustment of disputes. He adds, “ Let us see to it in Ebbw Vale, at all events, that we help our 4,000 brethren who have joined the Colours by doing the best we possibly can at home.” A further marked Change took place at the end of last week in regard to rates of freight, shortage of coal leaving tonnage temporarily in excess of market requirements; with the result that Genoa figures dropped to 20s., as contrasted with rates of 33s. to 35s. two or three weeks back. For Barcelona there was a drop of 10s., and for Port Said between 7s. and 8s. On the other hand, however, it has become manifest that the taking up of a large quantity of tonnage on time charter by the Italian Government is likely once again to force rates to an exorbitant figure. Given better work by the miners, a consequently larger output, whilst concurrently a still greater number of vessels are taken from the market for Italian Government requirements, there is every prospect of a return to previous conditions, and once more a material advance in rates which are to the detriment of coal shippers. In the course of a meeting called to discuss the housing question at Glyncorrwg, a review was made of the colliery developments in that district (which is at the head of the valley running from Port Talbot, and can also only be reached by tunnel from the Bhondda Valley). It was stated that between Abergwynfi and Cymmer Berth’s Navigation Com- pany was sinking a new pit; that the Ocean Colliery Company had taken over the Avon Colliery at Abergwynfi. which had been closed for five years, and will probably find employment for 500 men; that the Gibbs Navigation Colliery Company had completed their sinkings at Bant Tewleth, their new colliery when opened out entailing the employ- ment of several hundreds of men; and that there were three other collieries in an early stage of • development; whilst Duffryn Bhondda and Cynon would both in a short time require probably twice the number of men now engaged. It was argued at the meeting that the Glyncorrwg Council should prepare a scheme under the Housing and Town Planning Act, so that the public interests in urban develop- ment should be duly cared for. The shareholders in Elders Collieries decided at their meeting on Friday last week to change the name of the company to “ Celtic Collieries Limited,” and the consent of the Board of Trade to this change has been obtained. The reason stated by the chairman is that there are a good many “ Elders ” in the market, and although they did not object to being mistaken for any of them, the directors thought it well to make the distinction, and therefore sug- gested the change. At the same meeting the dividend on the cumulative preference shares was raised from 6 to 8 per cent, by formal resolution. The chairman stated that nearly 22 per cent, of their employees had joined the Colours, and if through that fact their output suffered, they must feel that, like so many others, they were suffering for the good of the nation. It having been suggested that an extraordinary propor- tion of recruits are married men, one calculation put forward is that the miners who are least favourably paid at the pits can secure a larger family income by joining the Colours. It is stated that over £1 a week can be left by a soldier for his family, and that, in addition, he would himself have 3s. 6d. a week besides rations, clothing, and lodging; and that consequently the family are better off so far as regards immediate income when the man enlists. In the case of the Cardiff Gas Company v. Mr. T. Taylor, of Energlyn Colliery, Lord Justice Lush delivered formal judgment on Monday. The Gas Company claimed damages for breach of contract, defendant having failed to supply coal. It was submitted, however, that this failure was due to an accident owing to an inrush of. water into the work- ings, and that a clause in the contract relieved defendant of liability in such an event. The jury at Glamorgan Assizes found in favour of the colliery owner; and, in delivering judgment on Monday, his lordship said that, looking at the matter as a business contract, drawn up by persons familiar with coal mines, it was not right to say that , unless the whole of the colliery work was stopped, the colliery proprietor was not entitled to relief. The contention of the delendant was right, and there was obviously evidence of an accident. Under these circumstances he gave judgment in his favour. In the north-west corner of Breconshire troubles arise from serious landslips. This matter came before the Bed- well ty Council on Monday, in reference to a landslip at Tredegar Boad< Mr. A. Thomas (miners’ agent) said that some engineers were of opinion that this was due to a sand bed giving way, but his own opinion was that the slip was due to mining—the working of coal seams underneath. It was not so much pressure as a gradual sinking down, and the same thing had happened on the Gelligaer side, where there had been a subsidence near Pontlottyn. The Ebbw Vale steel workers have decided to set aside 25 per cent, of their sliding scale contributions for the purpose of aiding the men of the 3rd Monmouthshire. The precise manner in which the money is to be applied —in furnishing “ comforts ” or otherwise—is left to an executive committee. It is noteworthy that in a bank- ruptcy case where an Ebbw Vale boot and shoe dealer was concerned, he attributed his failure to bad trade owing to the enlistment of between 3,000 and 4,000mnen from Ebbw Vale. Strong protest was made at the meeting of Cardiff Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, concerning the action of Barry Bailway Company in dealing with a communica- tion from the Chamber upon the subject of allocation of tips. There has been for a long time much trouble as to preferential treatment of certain firms; and Mr. T. E. Watson, the president of the Chamber, directed attention to the fact that a letter which was sent to the Barry Com- pany on July 4 had not been answered. That letter contained copy of the opinion of Mr. Maurice Hill, K.C., who showed that preferential treatment was not legal. Counsel’s opinion was that the system of granting prefer- ence was absolutely contrary to the rights of shippers, and that the Dock Company would be responsible for damages by aggrieved persons if action were brought against them. Mr. Watson said that other com- panies had made reply to that letter of July, and that a conference would have been arranged had not the war intervened; but the Barry Company had not replied, and therefore a letter was sent them a few days ago, drawing attention to the omission, and asking for intimation as to a change of practice which the Barry Company had instituted. The answer they received was that “ some tips have been leased and others are allotted in rotation, provided the vessel and coal are ready.” Mr. Watson said that they knew who it was that monopolised to such a large extent the tips at Barry; and it was a matters for the traders represented in that Chamber, and for the Chamber itself generally, to say whether they were going to sit down to such an affront to their opinion. The time had gone by when any company could afford to flout the opinion of customers. Most certainly, although the war might hinder them for a while, the traders of the port would take up the question unless Barry Company voluntarily did their duty in relation to this complaint of undue preference. Ulti- mately it was resolved that the whole question should be referred to the council, so that they might institute an ■enquiry as to the leasing and allocation of tips. Mr. W. North Lewis said that to reserve a number of tips for two, three, or possibly four customers was altogether unjust to the rest of the trade. Mr. J. Andrews expressed the opinion that shippers were indebted to the Barry Company for being the first to initiate the experiment of allocation in rotation, 20 tips out of 36 having been set aside for this purpose. Northumberland and Durham. The Latest Recruiting Figures — Miners' Leader Favours Boy Labour. When Thomas Turnbull, deputy at Felling Colliery, was charged at. Gateshead last week with a breach of the Explosives in Coal Mines Order, it was explained that he, being a person authorised to fire shots electrically, had allowed another man to couple the cable to the detonator wires on February 25. A similar breach of the rules some time ago resulted in a man being so injured that he was off work seven months.. Turnbull was fined 5s. and costs. A very interesting return as to the number of county miners who have joined the British Forces since the out- break of war has been issued from the offices of the Northumberland Miners’ Association. Mr. Straker states the membership of the association at 31,219—being 28,772 full and 2,447 half-members—and says that the total number of persons employed in and about the pits in July last was given in the Labour Gazette as 55,378. Of these, it would appear that 13,027—8,703 of whom were members of the association—had enlisted up to the end of December. With recruiting still proceeding, although at a diminished rate, in the county, he estimates that fully 14,000 Northumbrian miners must have joined the Colours up to date. If there be one district in Northumberland which has more cause than another to'congratulate itself on the patriotism of its resi- dents, it is the Ashington district. The case of North Seaton is especially noteworthy, for it would appear that 668 out of a total membership of 882 have joined the Army or Navy. Seghill,