May 14, 1915.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

1031

meet the necessary requirements of the country, and it is
most important, therefore, that steps should be taken at the
earliest possible moment substantially to increase the out-
put.” Two ways are suggested, the first that men might be
obtained from the slate quarries in Cumberland and West-
moreland, and also from the slate mines and quarries in
North Wales, where work is slack; and next by the men
working longer hours, or an increased number of shifts in the
week. Finally, it is suggested that a conference should
take place, as soon as possible, between the owners and the
men, and it was intimated that Lord Kitchener had ex-
pressed to the Secretary of State his earnest desire that the
workers and mine owners should agree upon the necessary
arrangements without delay. The council of the Iron Ore
Miners and Kindred. Trades Association unanimously
decided to participate in the suggested conference, and dele-
gates were duly appointd to attend same, but up to the
present, says the secretary of the association, nothing more
has been heard of it.

The members of the Workers’ Union at Coalbrookdale
have refused the war bonus offered to them by the Coal-
brookdale Company, and have handed in their notices, on
behalf of about 300 men, to cease work unless matters can
be amicably arranged.

MANCHESTER GEOLOGICAL AND MINING
SOCIETY.

At a meeting of the society on Tuesday afternoon last,
Mr. Leonard ‘ B. Fletcher presiding, the following new
members were elected:—Federated, Mr. Fred Whittaker,
276, Burnley - road, Accrington. Associate member,
federated, Mr. Gilbert Watkin Hughes, 41, Southall-street,
Brynna, Llanharran, Glam. Associate, Mr. Frederick James
Ilford, 3, Office-street, Cymmer, Forth, Glam.

Coal Trade Benevolent Association.—On Monday last, at
the Hotel Cecil, the 22nd annual festival dinner of the
above association was held, under the presidency of his
Grace the Duke of Norfolk, E.M., K.G. Considering the
depressing effect of the war upon gatherings of this nature,
there was a large muster of representatives of the coal trade
from various parts of the country, it being recognised that
the inspiration behind these annual festivals is benevolent
rather than convivial. There was, in particular, a large
number of gentlemen present from the county of broad
acres to support Mr. Thos. King Fox, commercial manager
of the Micklefield Goal and Lime Company, who this year
is chairman of the Association. As befitted the occasion,
the speeches were brief and to the point. In proposing the
toast of “ The Association,” the noble President urged that
in striving to carry out the great task that now lay before
them, and to meet the terrible devastation created by the
war, it should not be forgotten that charity was always with
them, and that the needs of an institution such as the
Coal Trade Benevolent Association, which aimed at the
alleviation of distress in the distributing branch of the coal
trade, should always appeal to their hearts. He felt a
special gladness in coming to the help of the association,
because, on examining its inner working, he found that
there was no leakage of funds; there was no large paid
staff, and it was carried on by hard-headed business men,
not only without remuneration, but at great personal
sacrifice to themselves. He thought that they should see
that this charity, which was not a mere benefit society, did
not suffer during the times through which the country was
passing, and that the work should be carried on with
undiminished vigour.—In reply, Mr. Fox thanked his Grace
for giving his support to the association, and appealed to
the generosity of the company. He pointed out that the
association endeavoured to live on its subscriptions, the
donations being invested so as to form a capital fund.—
At this stage ithe secretary, Mr. W. J. Collins, read the
list of donations, the total amounting to the record sum of
£1,353 12s. 6d. Amongst the donors were the following :
His Grace th’e Duke of Norfolk, £200; the Micklefield Coal
and Lime Company Limited, 100 gs.; Stephen Cliff, Esq.,
E. <0. Ohlson (Sheriff of Hull), H. A. Longbotham, Esq.,
£100 each; F. D. Lambert, Esq., 52 gs.; Messrs. Stephenson,
Clarke and Company, Albert Usher, Esq., £50; Messrs.
Myers, Bose and Company Limited, £26 5s.; H. J.-.Warne,
Esq., Messrs. Williams Bros. Limited (Hull), B. Borough
Hopkins, Esq., £25; T. Usher, Esq., J. Baron, Esq., the
Bight Hon. the Marquess of Crewe, H. C. Bolfe, Esq.,
H. T. Bailey, Esq., Ernest Oliver, Esq., Messrs. Furness.
Withy and Company Limited, B. S. Gardiner, Esq., Messrs,
the Dearne Valley Colliery Company Limited, Messrs. John
Hudson and Company Limited, and Messrs. James
Hargreaves and Son, £10 10s. — The toast of ‘‘H.M.
Forces ” was proposed by Mr. Jepson, assistant general
manager of the London and North-Western Bailway Com-
pany, Major H. D. Gilbert replying in the absence of
Col. Williamson. —■ “ The Branches of the Association ”
were proposed by Mr. Ernest Oliver, the deputy-chairman,
who mentioned that during the first four months of this
year £1,270 was distributed in relief, as compared. with
£1,064 in the corresponding period of last year. This, he
said, showed the need for increased support.—Mr. J. Morton
Goodrich responded.—The toast of “ The Visitors ” was
given by Mr. W. G. Phillips, responses being made by Mr.
B. B. Hopkins and Mr. B. J. Thompson.—Mr. Howard A.
Allport proposed the health of the noble President, who
suitably replied.—A splendid musical programme was under
the direction of Mr. Vivian Bennetts. Last year the asso-
ciation had a total income of £4,863 4s. 3d.	Of those

receiving regular relief, 55 were widows and orphans, 21
afflicted, 23 aged and infirm married couples, and 15 in
temporary distress. The investments have been written
down to £14,813 13s. 4d. The association has branches at
Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Derby,-Nottingham, Leicester,
Manchester, Liverpool, Northampton, • Stoke, Beading,
Swansea, Hull, Leeds, Bradford, and Sheffield. -

Notes from the Coalfields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

The Prohibition of Exports : Prompt and Decisive Action by
Chambers of Commerce and Harbour Trustees—Deputa-
tion to London : Some Small Concession Gained—Effect
of the Prohibition Upon Anthracite Alone—Dilatory Pro-
cedure in Issuing Licences — Mr. D. A. Thomas
(Cambrian) Aboard the “ Lusitania ” — Unfounded
Rumour Concerning Windsor Colliery — Enemy Aliens
“ Warned Off ” Cardiff Exchange—Half a Million Ster-
ling in New Steel Works for Port Talbot.

The difficulty which has arisen from the intended prohi-
bition of coal exports is far more serious than was at first
recognised; and, unless the Government department comply
■fully with the request of the chambers of commerce, grave
hindrance to business must arise. In this connection it is
important to note that (contrary to the original statement)
patent fuel is now exempted from the prohibition. The
application for a licence in respect of coal had, at first, to
include amongst its particulars some information which in
the ordinary course of business it would be very difficult to
give, especially in the case of commitments made some time
beforehand. The person applying for a licence was required
to name the class of coal that he intends to export; and,
in such a casq, what about the man who has the oppor-
tunity of buying a cheap lot (lying in trucks that need
prompt emptying in order to keep the colliery going), delay
in the arrival of vessels and other incidents of business
having prevented its anticipated shipment? Good parcels
may sometimes be picked up with current cargoes at very
short notice; but this new licence would stand in the way.
Again, the licensee was required to name the vessel by
which he intends to ship;. whereas the course of business is
very often such that he has agreed with a shipping firm that
they shall at a specified date have “ a steamer ’’—unnamed
—ready for his service. Neither he nor the shipowner can
at the time of making the agreement say what the name of
the vessel will be. These are only two of the points out of
very many which had to be dealt with. One of the declared
objects of the licence, namely, to increase the supply of
coal in this country, would be most mischievous to South
Wales. What would happen to a colliery if its output
were so diverted that, instead of coal being tipped within
12 hours .at Cardiff port, and the trucks returned to the
colliery, these trucks had to run into the Midlands or some
other manufacturing district, and the colliery risk being
set idle awaiting their return? In whatever light the new
arrangement was regarded, it was mischievous, and,
indeed, unnecessary. The committee which recommended
it was a committee not qualified by knowledge of the trade
to come to any decision so serious as prohibition, in any
degree; and the traders would be well advised if a demand
were made that trade experts should should even, now be
consulted, especially in view of the different conditions of
different parts of the country.

Cardiff Chamber of Commerce took prompt action with
regard to the prohibition, a sub-committee of the council
being appointed to draft objections to the conditions upon
which licences should be issued. These objections were
forwarded to the War Trades Department; and it was
decided to follow up the letter with a deputation to the
newly-appointed committee, and more fully explain the
position. The objections dealt, inter alia, with the points
already mentioned, namely, that of nominating the ship
which shall carry the cargo, and also with certain condi-
tions which obviously are not required in the circumstances
of the South Wales coal trade. The important point which
is emphasised is that, instead of an increase in production
resulting from the conditions of the licence, it is more
probable that there will be an actual reduction of output,
because any diversion of the rolling stock from South
Wales to the manufacturing districts would create such
delays as to prevent the collieries getting rid of their
output.

Mr. Donald Maclean, M.P., Deputy-Chairman of Com-
mittees in the House of Commons, who is also a member of
the Commercial Committee of the House of Commons,
addressed the members on ’Change during Friday at the
request of the Chamber. He said that the order in Council
did not prohibit exports of coal in the alarming sense which
some of the headlines of the Press seemed to indicate.
Export would go on as it does now to all destinations
within British Possessions and Protectorates, as well as to
the Allied countries; and the licence was necessary only for
destinations outside those areas. The real difficulty would
arise upon the licence; and he did not minimise that obtain-
ing licences would be a cause of considerable difficulty until
the work of granting them had come down into compara-
tively smooth operation. From what the authorities had
told him on the preceding day, he could assure shippers
that every possible effort would be put forward to facilitate
the granting of licences with as little delay as possible.
Some of the requirements probably alarmed them, in view
of the particular circumstances of the South Wales trade;
but the draft objections which had been framed by the sub-
committee would be in his hands the following morning,
and he hoped to go with the deputation and see what could
be done to facilitate trade.

In the course of an interview with a Press representative,
who put direct questions, Mr. Maclean added that the War
Trade Department would probably arrange for a general
licence for a particular export to a particular country; and,
though there might be some initial trouble in getting these,
export would be facilitated once the licence was in hand.
It was, of course, alarming to have this ram-rod thrust into
the delicate machinery of business on the Cardiff Exchange,
but there was no cause for undue alarm, and he thought
that before very long business would be carried on substan-
tially on normal lines. He added that the main avenues
of trade affected were South America and Italy, but he
hoped that before very long Italy would be an ally. In
answer to further questions as to the position of shippers
now loading, he said that vessels which completed cargo
before May 13—-the date before the Order became operative
• —would be exempt; but the vessels which ran over to the
13th would require a licence, so that exporters in the latter
position should take immediate steps for securing licences.

One important statement made by. Mr. Maclean was that
the question was one not so much of particular coal shipped
as one of the destination. For a licence, applicants were
desired to give as long notice as possible, ‘‘not exceeding
four weeks.” .

The deputation from the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce
waited upon the Coal Exports Committee in London on
Tuesday, and received direct assurance that the Committee
would, do all that was possible to prevent hindrance in
shipments; and to some extent the objections of those in
the trade have therefore been modified. It is 'Stated that
the assurances given have been regarded as highly satis-
factory. Nevertheless, it remains that some of the require-
ments are very difficult to comply with. The chairman. (Mr.
Bussell Bea, M.P.), made the concession that licences should
be granted without the original demand for the name of
the ship; but this would be on the understanding that, as
soon as. the name of the vessel was ascertained, it should .
be declared, the licence being held back until that was
forthcoming. In addition, it was stated, that the descrip-
tions of coal to be shipped need not be strictly confined to
that of collieries originally named,- and that no obstacles
would be put in the way of mixing. The deputation con-
sisted of Mr. Watson (president), Mr. Fifoot (vice-
president), Mr. J. A. Jones, Mr. W. North Lewis, Mr; E.
H. Jacob, Mr. Moxey, with Mr. W. H. Hawkins
(secretary). Sir Clifford Cort, Bt., M.P., also attended. The
deputation was introduced by Mr. Donald Maclean, M.P.,
who is a Cardiff man, closely associated with the coal trade
as solicitor to the Freighters’ Association.

Mr. Watson represented that the original proposals, if
carried out in entirety, would react most harmfully upon
the commercial and industrial interests of the country. He
showed that the coal trade of Cardiff was almost wholly an
export trade, dealing mainly with steam coal. The form
of licence, if insisted upon, would make trade so difficult
as to result in almost complete dislocation, with consequent
stoppage of the collieries. Chartering of vessels had to be
effected at unusually short notice at the present time, and
in many cases the steamers were in the roads of the port
before chartered. It was impossible in present uncer-
tainties to give the name of the vessel by which shipment
was to be made. Then, again, owing to the uncertainty
of the Admiralty requirements, which varied from day to
day, it was impossible to name the collieries from which
the coal was to be supplied; and the composition of the
cargo had sometimes to be altered even, when the ship
was loading. If licences were not granted until some days
after application, the result would be disastrous, for it was
vital that the decision should be given not later than 48
hours after application.

Other arguments submitted to the Committee were that
restriction in export of Welsh steam coal would not in any
degree 'appreciably benefit home manufacturers, for with
existing railway conditions it will be impossible to divert
the coal for the home industrial centres. . The working of
the South Wales collieries depended on the prompt clear-
ance of coal at the ports, and the rolling stock was quite
inadequate for inland traffic’. Obviously, no restriction of
the export of steam coal could have any appreciable effect
on the price of coal for domestic purposes. What the depu-
tation asked for was greater facility in the granting of
general licences for exports to South America, Italy,. Spain,
and Portugal; and it was suggested that the issue, of
licences should be undertaken locally by the Admiralty
representatives who were in close touch with. the whole of
the trade, their organisation covering almost identically the
duties which the War Trades Department proposed to
discharge in London.

In reply, the members of the Committee gave the assur-
ance already stated that steps would be taken to see that
the steam coal exports were not seriously hampered; but
that every effort would be made to facilitate the future
conduct of business, Mr. Bussell Bea, the chairman,
stating : “ The last thing we wish to do is to restrict
trade.” The members of the. deputation considered, the
assurances satisfactory, but it remains to. be seen how far
this will prove to be the case. At least 50 per cent, of
South Wales exports will be affected by the new Order.
South America took a quarter of a million tons during
March, the Mediterranean ports in neutral countries more
than half a million; while the Peninsula and the Islands
took nearly 200,000 tons.

Sir Griffith Thomas, at a meeting of the, Swansea
Harbour Trust on Monday, referred to the report which
showed that during April the exports of coal and coke had
fallen by 30,000 tons, and of patent fuel by 10,000 tons.
He said that during the month the prohibition of shipping
anthracite coal to several countries had come into force,
and the effect had been serious. Of course,- they were
anxious to do all they could to prevent the enemy getting
anything that was required; but, if the effects of prohibition
could be made as little detrimental to this country as
possible, Swansea men were anxious to have a share of the
trade that was to be done. To get over the difficulties as
far as possible, the Government had agreed to grant
licences; but although the prohibition had been in opera-
tion for three weeks, he did not know of more than five or
six licences being granted. The granting of these licences
was very important. The latest feature was that this
Order was to be extended to all classes of coal, and this
would have a great effect on the export trade. Whilst
desirous not to ship anything to the advantage of the
enemy, traders did ask that when the Government could see
their way clear to give licences, these would be issued as
quickly as possible, so that the trade of the country should
not be affected more than was Accessary. A deputation
from Cardiff was waiting on the authorities, and the
Swansea Chamber of Commerce was also taking action.
The trustees would act with these other authorities in doing
anything that could be done to secure licences.

When the news of the sinking of the “ Lusitania ”
reached South Wales, widespread concern was felt because
it was known that Mr. D. A. Thomas, head of the Cambrian
Combine, was on board. He was on the return voyage
from America, where he had gone further into the question
of the coal trade. Mr. Thomas’s commitments both in
. Canada and in the United States — but particularly in
regard to the former, in connection with the Peace Biver
developments, which have already been described—are
very extensive. It was impossible for many hours to
discover whether Mr. Thomas—who had in his company his
daughter, Lady Mackworth—was amongst the survivors;
but early on Saturday morning the news came through that
he had been rescued, and there was, a general feeling of
relief. His office was bombarded with telegrams and tele-
phone messages, and to his private residence the number
of enquiries was so great that the line was blocked. An
. interview-with Mr. Thomas, giving the story of his experi-
ences, has been widely circulated; and it has been, noted
how very narrow was his escape from,, death. _