April 30, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 925 present standard rates, to commence (if accepted) on the following Monday. The offer was placed before the con- ference on Saturday, when it was decided to refer the offer back to the executive to co-operate with the Federation in order to adjust matters. The meeting also decided not to abandon the question of merging with the Federation. It was reported that £128 had been paid to out-of-work members from the Prince’s Fund. The annual meeting of the National Federation of Enginemen and Stokers and Kindred Trade Societies will be held at Swansea on Whit- Tuesday and Wednesday. At the Diamond Colliery, Ystradgynlais, Swansea Valley, between 300 and 400 men tendered 14 days’ notice owing to a dispute as to double shifts in stalls. At Ystalyfera 300 men at Tirbach have given notice on the non-unionist ques- tion ; and at Pwllbach another dispute affects 300 men. North of England. The adjourned meeting between the representatives of the Cleveland Ironstone Mine Owners’ Association and the Cleveland Miners’ Association was held at Middlesbrough on Monday, when it was agreed that wages should be advanced by 2J per cent. Federated Area. The Coal Conciliation Board for the Federated mining districts in England and North Wales, meeting.at the West- minster Palace Hotel on Wednesday, signed a new agree- ment for the regulation of wages at the collieries within the area for a period of three years from May 1. This agree- ment establishes a new standard wage for the area in place of the standard of 1888, which has thus existed for a period of 27 years. The new standard is raised by 50 per cent, by merging the present minimum wage into the standard; and whereas the old standard ranged from 4s. to 5s. per day, the new standard ranges from 6s. to 7s. 6d. per day. The minimum wage is to be 10 per cent, on the new basis, and the future maximum wage 23J per cent, on the basis. If for purposes of comparison we take the old figures with which the mining districts are familiar, this means a minimum of 65 per,cent., the present wage, and a maximum of 85 per cent, on the 1888 standard. The future minimum wage of the area may be said to range from 6s. 8d. to 8s. 3d. per day. Clause 6 has been added to the new agree- ment, with a view to safeguarding districts against any repetition of minimum wage disputes similar to those which recently occurred in West Yorkshire, and which happened in South Yorkshire a year ago. The clause has been carefully drafted, and it is hoped will achieve its purpose. The new Board will commence on May 1, and continue until April 30, 1918, and thereafter until determined by either party by three months’ notice. The date of the agree- ment has been put forward two months from July 1 to May 1 so that advances of wages may be made to meet the higher cost of living. It is understood that a promise has been given by the coal owners’ section of the Board to grant advances of 5 per cent, on May 8, and a second 5 per cent, a week later. This is conditional on the war bonus proposal being settled in each district. In the event of a national agreement, the percentage obtained will be added to the present minimum wage. The coal owners’ offer is equal to 15 per cent, on the old basis, and represents an amount of 8d. or 9d. per day on the wage. Both sections of the Board held private meetings previous to the joint meeting. Mr. F. J. Jones (South Yorkshire), chairman, presided, with Mr. Stephen Walsh, M.P. (Lancashire), in the vice-chair. At the adjournment the joint secretaries, Sir Thomas Ratcliffe-Ellis and Mr. Thomas Ashton, officially reported to the Press that the coal owners and miners’ representatives had decided to renew the Conciliation Board for a further period of three years, and the new wage agreement had been signed by all the members of the Board. Mr. F. J. Jones (South Yorkshire) had been re-elected chairman, and Mr. Stephen Walsh, M.P. (Lancashire) vice-chairman; and Sir Thomas Ratcliffe-Ellis and Mr. Thomas Ashton joint secretaries. Lord Coleridge was invited to continue his office as neutral chairman. The text of the new agreement is as follows :— (1) A new basis shall be established. The new basis to be the price or rate being paid at each and every colliery, for each and every class of work, when 50 per cent, on the 1888 basis was the rate of wages in operation. This was in December 1911. Where a price or rate has been fixed since December 1911, such price or rate shall be adjusted in accordance with this and the following clause. (2) Existing price lists shall not be interfered with in any way, except that where the rate on the price list is the rate of 1888, or the rate of 1888 plus percentages or addi- tions added since 1888, the rate of December 1911 shall be substituted for the rate shown on the price list, and be the new basis. (3) The new Board shall commence on May 1 next, and continue until April 30, 1918, and thereafter until deter- mined by either party by a three months’ notice. (4) The minimum to be 10 per cent, on the new basis, as provided for in clause 1, and the maximum to be 23| per cent, on the new basis. (5) The present rules of procedure of the Board, subject to the alterations shown in the print annexed hereto, and signed by the president and vice-president, shall apply to the new Board. (6) The resolutions of October 21, 1912, January 6, 1913, and April 15, 1913, applying the advances given on those dates to the minimum wage rates then existing to remain unaltered, and apply to minimum wage rates now existing, and, subject to the following proviso, shall apply, as well as any future adjustments of wages rates by. the Conciliation Board, to any minimum wage rates existing at the time of such adjustment. Provided that in the event of an application to any Joint District Board for an increase or a decrease in existing minimum wage rates, in the comparison between the then minimum wage rates and the then average rate of wages, the average rate shall be taken to be the amount then prevailing, less any per- centage additions made thereto since the existing minimum wage rates were fixed; it being the desire and intention of both parties that in fixing future minimum wage rates the advances given by the Conciliation Board on and since October 21, 1912, and those which may be hereafter given shall not be duplicated. At a meeting of the Nuneaton Town Council on Wednesday, Mr. E. F. Melly (managing director of Griff Colliery) stated that efforts had been made by a Doncaster colliery, through the medium of Nuneaton Labour Exchange, to get'labour from the Nuneaton district by offering various attractions. He contended that Labour Exchanges were not established for purposes of that kind, and moved that a representation be made to the Board of Trade. The propo- sition was carried. The North Wales surfacemen (other than those employed in the manipulation of the coal, who have recently come to a settlement, together with the underground workers) have negotiated in regard to a minimum wage, and matters have now been definitely settled, and an agreement has been signed on behalf of the North Wales coal owners by Mr. W. D. Haswell (secretary), and on behalf of the North Wales surfacement by their agent, Mr. J. W. Williams. All workmen and boys included in an arranged schedule of workers are to be advanced at the rate of 10 per cent, on their present rates, which is equal to 4d. per day for men and 2d.- per day for boys, but no advance is to be made in excess of the rates named in the said schedule. All able- bodied men over 21 years of age are to receive not less than 3s. 103. per day in future, and -any necessary advances are to take place immediately after the signing of the agreement. The advanced -rates are to be .recognised as the standard rates per job for men of the Surfacemen’s Union of North Wales, and no employer is to pay less during the continua- tion of the Conciliation Board for the Federated area, and the- present percentage of 65 per cent, over the 1888 basis prevails, but to be subject to any further advances or reduc- tions which may be agreed to by the Board of Conciliation. Any overtime on Sunday is to be paid for at the rate of time-and-half, and week-day overtime will be paid for at the rate of two hours for a quarter. Apprentices are to be paid 5s. per week for the first year, and to be advanced 2s. 6d. per week per year until five years have expired, then' during the following three years they shall be paid 20s. per week the first year, 25s. per week the second, and 30s. per week the third year, and afterwards full journeyman’s wage according to the standard rate for their trade. Any infirm or aged workmen (over 65 years of age) are exempt from the clauses of this agreement, and the age limit may be varied as may be deemed necessary, and by mutual arrangement between the parties concerned. A conference between representatives of the Midland Colliery Owners’ Association and the Notts Miners’ Asso- ciation sat at Nottingham on Monday to consider the wages of general surface labourers, and it was ultimately agreed that the rate should be a basis rate of 4s. 3d., which includes 150 per cent, plus 10 per cent., which equals 4s. 8d., the 10 per cent, on the new basis being equivalent to the third 5 per cent, on the old basis. Where men are receiving such a rate or more there would be no reduction, and where the workers were receiving less, they would 'be raised to that rate, with allowance coal at 4s. 6d. per load, excluding load- ing; times of delivery, quantity, and quality to remain as at present at each colliery. These rates would be subject to increase or reduction in accordance with the Conciliation Board agreement. The agreement applies to able-bodied men, and it is agreed that no workman of the above class shall suffer a reduction by reason of the position of the Board From Total cargo. Total bunker. 1914. 1915. 1914. 1915. Bristol Channel ports North-western ports North-eastern ports Humber ports Other ports on east coast Other English ports Tons. 315,782 273,572 653,605 210,197 8,760 2,758 Tons. 193,283 252,704 710,640 150,571 5,240 3,000 Tons. 22,202 64,134 31,834 12,292 8,247 6,153 Tons. 19,414 58,898 44,296 14,063 ' 10,692 4,190 Total from England and Wales 1,464,674 1,315,438 144,862 151,553 Ports on east coast of Scotland Ports on west coast of Scotland 106,265 134,038 40,311 146,213 20,598 42,477 13,981 24,830 Tota from Scotland 240,303 j 186,524 63,075 38,811 Irish ports 1 ! ~ i — 4,210 2,206 Total from United Kingdom 1,704,977 i 1,501,962 I i 212,147 192,570 agreement. A further meeting on the wages of workers other than general labourers will be held in Nottingham on Monday next. At a meeting of the council of the South Staffordshire and East Worcestershire Miners’ Association, Mr. John Richards was appointed president, and Mr. Harry Whitehouse secretary. The late Mr. Thomas Mansell held both these appointments, but the council decided they should become distinct. Mr. J. G. Hancock, M.P., agent, gave a report at the monthly meeting of the Notts Miners’ Association on Saturday, April 24, concerning the interviews which had taken place with representatives of the local coal owners regarding the wages and working hours of surface workers. The question was left in. the hands of a committee to deal with. Mr. C. Bunfield, secretary, stated that as a result of an interview with Mr. J. Piggford, general manager of the Teversall Collieries, an increase of 5d. per day had been granted to surfacemen at those collieries other than engine winders. A resolution was passed -advising men at all the collieries in the county not to work longer on any day than was customary, without such an arrangement had been made between the coal miners and miners’ officials. A further conference between representatives of the Erewash Valley coal owners and the Notts Miners’ Associa- tion was held at the Victoria Station, Nottingham, on Monday afternoon, April 26, to consider the question of surface workers’ wages -and hours. At the close of the proceedings, which lasted over six hours, it was announced that it had been agreed that a basis rate of 4s. 3d., with current percentage, making 4s. 8d. per day, be granted general labourers. The conference adjourned until next Monday. Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades. As was fully expected, the dispute in the Cumberland haematite iron' trade, resultant upon the blastfurnacemen handing in notices expiring on April 30, because of the iron masters’ refusal to grant them a war bonus in addition to the 22| per cent, rise in wages under the sliding scale agreement, has been referred to the Government Committee on Production. The Mayor of Workington (Aid. P. Walls), secretary of ■ the Blastfurnacemen’s Association, received a letter from the Chief Commissioner’s Department, stating that they had been in communication with the West Cumber- land Iron Masters’ Association, and asked the Mayor if his association would be willing to have the dispute referred for settlement to the Committee on Production. On Friday the Mayor replied that they wrould agree to the course suggested by the Chief Commissioner. MINING AND OTHER NOTES. The closing general meeting of the graduate section of the North-East Coast Institution of Engineers and Ship- builders for the session will be held in the Institution Library, Bolbec Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne, to-morrow (Saturday), at ,7.15 p.m. The secretary of the institution will introduce a discussion on “ The Making and Filing of Engineering Notes.” Three of the seven members of the London Fire Brigade specially trained in smoke helmet work are now serving with the Colours, and the County Council has arranged for three other firemen to receive instruction in smoke helmet work at a colliery rescue station at an estimated cost of £23. In view of the considerable increase in the price of coal and labour, the London Electric Supply Corporation has increased its’ charges for the temporary supply of power to the L.C.C. tramways. Under agreements the charges were 0*3d., 0-35d., and 0*4d. per unit, with a charge of £3 a year a kilowatt. Now the rate is to be 0-4d. a unit all round, plus the £3 a year a kilowatt. Messrs. Hall, Schmitz and Company Limited, coal exporters, of Milburn House, Newcastle, announce that the name of the company has been changed to Hall, Stephenson and Company Limited, for the reason that Mr. Paul Schmitz (who was one of the original directors of the com- pany) died some years ago, and that for some considerable time before his death he had no connection with or interest- in the business. The following firms have recently been elected members of the British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers’ Associa- tion :—The Mirrlees Watson Company Limited, John Musgrave and Sons (1913) Limited, Newton Brothers (Derby), Isaac Storey and Sons Limited (branch of United Brassfounders and Engineers Limited). COASTWISE SHIPMENTS DURING MARCH. The quantity of coal shipped coastwise during March, according to the monthly coal tables issued by the Commissioners of H.M. Customs and Excise, was as follows :— The following was the merits:— To ports in England and Wales...... Scotland............... Ireland ............... destination of cargo ship- March 1914. March 1915. Tons. Tons. .. 1,169,171 ... 992,571 103,335 ... 84,265 .. 432,471 ... 425,126 Shipments to London totalled 693,176 tons. The Price of American Anthracite. — The brief filed on behalf of the respondents in the United States Inter-State Commerce Commission’s investigation of rates, practices, rules, and regulations governing the transportation of anthracite coal contains the following statement of the amounts respectively retained by the retailer, the trans- porter, and the producer out of the consumer’s payment for a long ton of tide water coal :— Division of the Cost of a Ton of Anthracite. Size of coal Gonsumer 'trans- porter Producer Dois. Dois. Dois. Dois. Grate .. 7-28 .. . 2’68 ... 1’60 ... 3’00 Egg .. 7’28 .. . 2’43 ... 1’60 ... 3’25 Stove .. 7’28 .. . 2’43 ... 1’60 ... 3’25 Chestnut 7’56 . 2’46 ... 1’60 ... 3’50 Pea .. 5’88 .. . 233 ... 1’45 ... 2T0 Buckwheat No. 1. .. 4’37 .. 1’57 ... 1’30 ... 1’50 Buckwheat No. 2 .. 3’53 .. 1’23 ... 1’15 ... 1T5 Buckwheat No. 3. .. 3T9 .. . 1’39 ... 1’15 ... 0’65 The amounts, retained by the retailer, the transporter, and the producer represent gross returns and not net profit. Out- of them the retailer must pay for the cost of marketing coal and delivering it to his customers, the transporter must pay in large part for the maintenance and operation of his rail- road and equipment and for hauling the empty cars back to the mines, and'the producer must pay for mining his coal, preparing it for market, and also find the wherewithal to meet his taxes and royalties.