1084

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

May 21, 1915.

the matter was under consideration; and the decision then
arrived at was (that this proposal should not be abandoned.
—Their secretary was instructed to reply to this effect.

North of England.

There was not a great deal of general interest in the pro-
ceedings of the annual council meeting of the Northumber-
land Miners’ Association, held at Newcastle during
Saturday, Monday,, and Tuesday last. Of the 31 motions
on the agenda, the bulk dealt with matters of internal
organisation or small local interest. Amongst the decisions
recorded were resolutions to ask the coal owners for a uniform
rent allowance of 6d. per day for 11 days per fortnight,
irrespective of the collieries working less than 11 days, pro-
vided men were idle through no fault of their own; to ask
■the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain to press forward
for an eight hours’ day for all surface workers; to seek to
have rolleywaymen’s basis wage raised to 4s. per day; that
every effort be made by the association to again put before
the coal owners the various proposals for night workers,
including the short shifts existing prior to the Eight Hours
Act; that the coal owners be asked to agree that men and
lads who are not members of the .association be debarred
from any increase in wages obtained by the association;
that royalty rents and way leaves be transferred to the State.

following on the granting of a 15 per cent, war bonus to
Northumberland miners, the Northumberland deputies were
conceded on Saturday an ordinary advance of }d. per shift—
representing the 1 per cent, ordinary advance granted to
the miners six weeks ago—and a war bonus of 15 per cent.,
which is equivalent to 8}d. per day. Deputies’ wages, there-
fore, now stand at 7s. ll}d. per shift. The colliery
mechanics reeeived advances on similar grounds, totalling
8d. per day, and the enginemen were conceded a war
increase of 15 per cent.

The management of East Stanley Colliery having offered
the men a return to the old two-shift system, instead of the
three shifts as at present, the men have accepted the offer
by 1*28 votes to 19. The change will take place at the
beginning of the new quarter.

In formulating terms of the new settlement for Cumber-
land miners, the Conciliation Board state that they have
adopted the principle underlying the Midland Conciliation
Board, and that future variations will be as fixed by that
Board. The new standards for hewers will be the standards
in force on April' 30, with the addition of 50 per cent, on
such standards. The new standards of underground day
wage men and boys will be the standards in force on
April 30, with the addition of 40 per cent, on such standards,
together with such additional amount as will ensure the
workman against any such decrease in the wage he is now
earning, or may earn under the new agreement. The agree-
men shall come into operation as on and from the first
making-up day in May 1915, and shall continue until the
end of the week nearest to April 30, 1918, and thereafter
until determined’by either party by a three months’ notice.
The minimum percentages to be paid on the new standards
will be 10 per cent.., and the maximum 23} per cent.
Advances or reductions made under this agreement will be
applied to the standards of minimum w4ge rates—it being
understood that the rates now in force include 46} and 36}
per cent, on the standards of hewers and day wage men
respectively, and that'3} per cent, on the new standards is
equal to 5 per cent, on the old standards. The agreement
of April 13, 1908, is terminated.

The Cleveland miners have been granted a substantial
increase on their present wages. Some time ago the matter
of . a uniform advance was discussed in London by repre-
sentatives, of the miners from all parts of Great Britain, and
acting on the instructions of the Miners’ Federation, an
increase of 20 per cent, on their present rate of wages, to
meet the general rise in the cost of the necessaries of life,
was put forward in each district. The claim of the Cleve-
land miners was discussed at a meeting in Middlesbrough
on Saturday. The. matter was eventually settled by an
advance of 15 per cent, on the basis rates, to come into force
from Monday last. This increase will be merged in any rise
of wages which may accrue in the future from the ascer-
tained price of pig iron. The Cleveland mine owners have
endeavoured to meet the .situation fairly, for six or seven
weeks ago a war bonus was granted to the miners, pending
the discussion, and the consequent settlement. This, of
course, will now be abolished, and Saturday’s decision
substituted. In April last the miners received an advance
of 2} per cent, from the ascertainment, "which will be
retained with the 15 per cent, just obtained.

Federated Area.

Concessions to South Yorkshire colliery surface workers
have just come into operation. The minimum rate for all
sections, of labour, manipulators, and others, has been
increased from 3s. 7d. to 3s. lOd. per day, irrespective of
the 20 per cent, war bonus which has been applied for, and
which is still under consideration. It is fully expected the
war bonus will be granted, and should it be, surface workers
in South Yorkshire will have the equivalent of an advance
of Is. per day. upon their present wages. This new agree-
ment .with the coal owners is giving considerable satisfac-
tion to the men, and the West Yorkshire employees now
intend to ask for like concessions.

The fork question is still causing discontent among the
employees of Brodsworth Colliery, Doncaster. It is indeed
said that Brodsworth is the only pit in Yorkshire where
forks are being used. Several protests have been made by
the men, who regard the use of forks with much disfavour,
and who, in a recent ballot, secured a large majority .against
their use. It is understood a conference will shortly be
held between the representatives of the men and the
management of the mine, with a view to a settlement being
arrived at, which, it is hoped, will be of an amicable
character, and such as will not interfere with the working
of the pit in any way.

The Coal Conciliation Board for the Federated mining
districts in England and North Wales met at the West-
minster Palace Hotel on Friday, under the presidency of
Lord Coleridge, the neutral chairman of the Board, to deter-
mine the amount of the advance to be given to the workmen
as a war bonus under the award of the Prime Minister. Mr.
Stephen Walsh, M.P., chairman of the men’s section, and
other representatives, put the men’s case for an advance
of 20 per cent, in wages, as put forward in all the mining
districts of the country. Mr. F. J. Jones, the chairman of
the coal owners’ section, and other representatives, sub-
mitted the coal owners’ case for limiting the advance in
wages to 10 per cent. Lord Coleridge asked for explana-
tions on a number of points, and the figures as to selling
prices and other matters were given to his lordship. The
sitting of the Board continued from 11 o’clock in the
morning until 4 o’clock in the afternoon, with a short

adjournment for lunch, and at the close the joint secretaries
(Sir Thomas Ratcliffe-Ellis and Mr. Thomas Ashton) pre-
sented the following official report :—“ The case has been
put by both sides before .the chairman, Lord Coleridge, and
his lordship will give a decision in writing at a later date.”
By the terms of Mr. Asquith’s award, the advance, when
given, will be paid as not later than May 5.

The joint secretaries of the Coal Conciliation Board for
England and North Wales have received an intimation
from Lord Coleridge, the independent chairman, that he
does not give his casting vote for either the proposal of
workmen for 20 per cent, advance on actual wages, or the
employers for 10 per cent, increase on the new standard, but
refers the whole case back to the Conciliation Board for
further consideration at a meeting to be held in Manchester
this (Friday) afternoon.

The discontent in the Black Country coal trade came to
a head on Monday, when men in the Old Hill and surround-
ing districts came out on strike in connection with their
demand for a war bonus of 20 per cent. On Tuesday the
whole of the collieries in the Old Hill district were idle,
some 3,000 miners “ playing.” The strike must have the
most serious effect upon factories producing war material in
Birmingham and the Black Country, but so far as can be
seen at present, no approach to a settlement has been made.
The strike, “which is undertaker by the men against the
advice of their leaders, developed from the owners’ con-
cession of a temporary war bonus, pending the announce-
ment of Lord Coleridge’s award’ for the English Federated
district. The coal owners have had an interview with the
local miners’ representatives, Mr. John Richards and Mr.
Harry Whitehouse, who promised to do their best to per-
suade the men to return to work. Last week at a conference
at Dudley, the colliery owners made an offer of an increase
of 15 per cent, on the old 1888 rates, and in pursuance of
this offer, though it was rejected by the men’s leaders,
advanced wages were paid at practically all the collieries
in the Old Hill district on Saturday. The advance was
accepted, however, by not more than 20 per cent, of the
workmen, despite the fact that notices were posted at most
of the collieries announcing that if the award of the arbi-
trator, Lord Coleridge, gave the men a higher advance, the
increased amount would be paid to the men on the first
pay day. The men’s contention is that if the advance of
15 per cent, had been accepted, it would have prejudiced
their case in the eyes of Lord Coleridge. Further, the men
claim that a 15 per cent, advance on the 1888 basis is only
equal to a 10 per cent, advance on the new rates, which
came into effect on May 1. At a meeting on Wednesday the
men decided to resume work on the following day. The
mine engine drivers, however, have now put in a demand
for a 10 per cent, bonus. If the men strike, all the mines
will be compulsorily closed.

An important departure is to be made in the Cannock
Chase and Pelsall coalfields by the establishment of a basis
rate for surfacemen. Hitherto surfacemen’s wages have
varied a great deal at different pits, and even at the same
pit. Lately, however, an effort has been made to secure
uniformity, and a demand for higher wages by the men has
been made the occasion for the establishment of a basis
rate. . Representatives of the mine owners and the men met
at Birmingham on Monday, under the chairmanship of
Col. Williamson, and at the close it was stated that terms
had been arranged for submission to the men, carrying with
them a.basis rate for the future regulation of surfacemen’s
wages in the Cannock and Pelsall districts. These terms,
it is understood, comprehend a substantial advance for a
considerable number of the men. They are to be sub-
mitted to the men for adoption or rejection at an early date.
The decision of the men will be reported to a meeting of
the employers to be held a fortnight hence. If the scale is
accepted, it will come into operation forthwith.

Mr. H. Smith, on Monday, presided at a meeting of the
council of the Yorkshire Miners’ Association, held at
Barnsley. Mr. Jno. Wadsworth, M.P., general secretary,
said reports had been received that at several collieries the
agreement arrived at in London on the 28th ult., with
regard to the payment of percentages on minimum wages,
was not being carried out in respect to day men and lads.
Unless the agreement was adhered to, he predicted that a
good deal of friction would result. In regard to the house
coal dispute at Elsecar Main Colliery, the council decided
to place the matter on the minutes for the consideration of
branches, and Mr. Newbould, general manager of the
colliery, had been asked to receive a deputation. The appli-
cation to take a ballot on the question of tendering notices
at the Brodsworth Colliery was held in abeyance, pending
an interview with the management.

Scotland.

Messrs. Robert Smillie and Robert Brown, acting as
president and secretary respectively of the Scottish National
Mine Workers’ Union, have intimated to Mr. Robert Baird,
secretary of the Scottish Coal Owners’ Association, a claim
for an advance in wages of 50 per cent, on the 1888 basis.
This advance will be equivalent to 2s. per day, but already
18| per cent, has been mutually agreed upon as an
advance because of the increased cost of living, and, of
course, that amount will be deducted from any sum granted
under the present claim.

The monthly meeting of the executive board of Fife and
Kinross Miners’ Association was held at Dunfermline on
Saturday, Mr. Archd. Adam, Lassodiemill, the chairman,
presiding. The auditors’ report stated that the income for
the year amounted to 4219,259 14s. Id., which, notwith-
standing the difficulties arising from the war, constitutes
a record in the history of the association. During the year
there had been paid in benefits, funeral claims, donations,
and general expenditure a sum of T10,725. The total Wealth
of the association amounts to 4-37,420 6s. 6}d. It was
unanimously agreed to recommend the members to con-
tribute Id. per week for the relief of the Belgians, the
money so collected to be passed on to the general treasurer
of the Scottish Mine Workers’ National Union. In
accordance with its own finding, that body will forward
one-half of the money for the maintenance of the refugees
in Scotland and the other half to the fund for the main-
tenance of the trade unionists resident in Belgium who
had been severely hit by the war.

Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades.

The ironworkers’ strike in South Staffordshire, which
has lasted a fortnight, and affected 700 to 800 men, has
been settled by the intervention of Sir George Askwith,
the men having consented to return to work, pending the
settlement of the dispute by arbitration. The men’s
union does not belong to the Midland Wages Board. The
men claimed 5 per cent, on present wages, in addition to
war bonus.

THE FREIGHT MARKET.

The outward freight market has performed its task under
circumstances of extreme disability this week, consequent
on the great and largely unexpected difficulties raised in the
matter of the issue of licences for the exportation of fuel to
neutral countries. The result is that the volume of business
done has been much smaller than usual, and- that whilst
normally there would have been no excess of tonnage on
offer—in view of the many calls on the services of the British
mercantile marine at present—shipping, like coal, has been
” a drug on the market,” and comparatively low rates have
been accepted in order to effect fixtures. At the time of
writing there is an apparent stiffening of rates of freight,
due to the increasing detention of tonnage at French and
other ports, but whether this will be of any duration worth
mentioning remains to be demonstrated. On the north-east
coast the attenuated list of charters reveals a heavy slump
in cargo carrying costs in most directions. To the near
ports, such as London and North France, figures, it is true,
are well maintained and inclined to advance, but for more
considerable distances, vessels may be requisitioned by
shippers at much easier prices than obtained at the time of
our previous report. Bordeaux, for example, has fallen
fully 2s. 6d. on the week. Genoa is 7s. 6d. down, as com-
pared with previous top figures. Rates to the Canary
Islands are Is. 6d. less. At South Wales, also, the market,
has suffered by reason of the licence difficulties, and its
volume is much deflated. The tendency of rates throughout
almost the entire week has been in charterers’ favour. The
solitary instance to the converse is that Honfleur has been
done from Cardiff at 6d. advance. This was, however, only
for a very small boat. Coastwise, figures have eased to the
extent of about 6d. To North France they are distinctly
weaker. Bay rates have receded. very materially, and
Mediterranean prices are much lower.

Homewards, there is no demand for tramp tonnage at
Australia, and all the calls for cargo accommodation are
being met by the usual liners. Rates at Vladivostock are
based on about 87s. 6d. home for beans, but owners are
inclined to hold out for more money. The rice ports are
very firm, with Saigon at from 85s. to 87s. 6d., and Burmah
at fully 80s. The East Indies are well maintained on the
basis of 75s. d.w. Calcutta, and 50 s. net for convenient
terms from Kurrachee. The Mediterranean is rather
dearer, with Alexandria at 26s. Ore ports are quiet.
Norwegian timber freights are steady, at 80s. from Sunds-
wall to London. America is quiet for grain, at about
10s. 3d. from the Gulf to French Atlantic. Montreal to
United Kingdom is a shade easier, at 8s. 3d. Coals from
Atlantic ports to United Kingdom have been done at
34s. 6d., with 44s. for Naples. Deals have paid up to
138s. 9d. Bathurst to United Kingdom, and 135s. has been
done from St. John. Conditions at the River Plate are
favouring shippers, the basis being about 67s. 6d. for June
loading from up-river ports.

It is a significant fact that the Russian Government has
announced that, as the port of Archangel is being used for
Government transport, it will not be available for private
cargoes until further notice.

Tyne to Bordeaux, 2,200, 16s. 4M. ; Canary Islands,

2.200,	21s. 6d.; Calais, 1,600, 15s.1,500, 16s.; Dieppe,
1,700, 15s.; Genoa, 1,800, 27s. 6d. ; Havre, 1,250, 14s.;
1,700, 15s.; 1,650, 15s. 6d.; Honfleur, 500, 15s.; London,
2,600, 7s., C.T.; 1,800, 7s., C.T.; 1,400, 7s. 6d.; Las
Palmas, 2,200, 21s. 6d.; Madeira, 2,200, 21s. fid.; Mar-
seilles, 4,000, 23s. 6d., May, from Dunston; Port Said,

4.200,	25s.; Palermo, 3,o00, 27s. 6d. reported; Rouen,
1,550, 15s. 6d.; 500, 22s. 6d., coke; 2,500, 14s. fid.; 1,600,
16s.; 2,110, 15s.; 1,600, 15s.; 1,200, 16s. 6d.; 650, 25s.,
coke; 750, 22s. 6d., coke; 2,500, 15s. 6d.; St. Nazaire,

2.200,	16s.

Cardiff to Arcachon, 1,400, 174 fr.; Algiers, 3,000, 20 fr.;
Bordeaux, 1,600, 16 fr.; 3,000, 16 fr.; 1,200, 151 fr.; 2,100,
16 fr.; 4,500, 16 fr.; 1,850, 16} fr.; Bagnoli, 4,000, 25s.;
Calais, 550, 21s., coke; 600, 22s.; coke; Cherbourg, 580,
Ils.; Dieppe, 1,350, 10s.; 1,600, 10s., 350; Dakar, 2,700,
19s. 6d.; Dartmouth,. 470, 7s. ;< Genoa, 25s.; 4,500, 25s.,
subject to licence; Gibraltar, 1,400, 17s., May 26; Gran-
ville, 500, 9s. 6d.; Honfleur, 300, 10s. 6d.; Havre, 1,050,
10s.; Lisbon, 1,500, 15s. 3d., 350; Leghorn, 3,200, 25s. 6d.,
500, end month; Marseilles, 3,500, 20 fr.; 2,300, 22.fr.;

3.200,	22 fr.; Morlaix, 250, Ils.; Naples, 4,000, 26s. 6d.,
500, lOd.; 3,600, 26s., 800; 4,000, 26s.; 3,200, 25s. 6d., 500,
end month; Nantes, 1,650, 14} fr.; Porto Ferrajo, 4,000,
25s.; Port Said, 5,000, 22s. 6d.; Rouen, 13s., May; 1,750,
12s.; 1,200, 12s. 3d.; 760, 12s. 6d.; 600, 13s.; 550, 9s. 6d.,
voyages; 1,000, 13s.; River Plate, 4,000, 26s., May; 4,000,
25s., next week; St. Nazaire, 1,950, 13| fr.; 1,650, 14} fr.;
1,400, 14 fr.; 3,800, 14 fr.; 1,400, 14} fr.; Sfax, 2,900,
26 fr.; Tarragona, 2,200, 22s.; 1 200, 22s. 3d.

Swansea to Marans, 1,000, 16 fr.; Alicante, 1,400, 25s.;
Tonnay Charente, 1,500, 14} fr. coal, 15 fr. fuel; 1,900,
14 fr.; Guernsey, 300, 8s.; Belfast, 280, 5s.; London, 1,000,
9s.; St. Malo, 1,000, 9s. 6d. coal,- 10s. fuel; 720, 9s. 6d. ;
Rouen, 650, 13s.; 1,700, 13s. 6d.; 2,300, 12s. 6d.; 1,000,
12s. 6d.; 1,000, 12s.; 900, 13s.; 1,300, 13s.; 900, 13s. 6d.;
Bordeaux, 1,500, 15| fr., 500; Tarragona, 800, 23s.; Algiers,
3,800, 22 fr.; Oran, 5,400, 23 fr. coal, 24 fr. fuel; Caen,
1,000, 10s. 6d.; Genoa, 3,000, 27s.; Savona, 3,000, 27s,;
Spezzia, 3,000, 27s.; Valencia, 1,200, 20s. coal, 20s. 9d.
fuel; Havre, 720, 9s. 6d.; 780, 10s.

Newport to Lisbon, 1,000, 15s. 6d.; Bahia Blanca, 6,000,
27s. 6d.; Marseilles, 3,500, 20 fr.; Havre Canal, 750,
10s. 6d.; 850, 10s. 9d.; Seville, 1,150, 17s.; Arcachon, 1,400,
17} fr.; Gibraltar, 1,400, 17s., May 26; Bordeaux, 1,500,
15-1 fr., 500, May; 1,150, 16} fr.; Nantes, 2,000, 14 fr.; St.
Nazaire, 3,800, 14 fr.; 1,400, 14 fr.; Rouen, 1,800, 12s. 6d.;
Huelva, 2,000, 18s. 6d.; Naples, 3,500, 26s. 6d., 800, next
week.

Wear to Bordeaux, 4,300, 15s. 9d.; Cette, 2,700, 24s. 9d.;
Rouen, 2,400, 16s. 3d.

Thames to Buenos Ayres-Monte Video, sail, 23s. one
port, 26s. both ports.

Forth to Algiers, 2,400, 18s.

Grimsby to Pernambuco, p.t.

Port Talbot to Bordeaux, 3,000, 16 fr.; 1,850, 16} fr.

Hull to Brixham, 1,250, 8s.; Rouen, 1,350, 13s. 6d.,
June 22; 2,800, 14s.; 3,300, 15s.; 2,750, 13s. 6d.; 2,000,
15s.; 1,100, 15s.; 1,400, 14s.; Dieppe, 1,350, 14s. 6d.

Goole to Rouen, 1,000, 15s. 6d.; 1,000, 16s.

Partigon to Barcelona, 1,700, 27s. 6d., 400.

Bristol Channel to Marseilles, 22 fr.

Blyth to Caen, 650, 14s. 6d.; Rouen, 3,500, 15s.

Hartlepool to Algiers, 2,400, 18s.; Barcelona, 3,000, 25s.,
reported; Rouen, 1,400, 15s.; Marseilles, 4,600, 23s. 6d.

Immingham to London, 2,000, 7s.; 6s. 6d.; Dieppe,
800, 13s.

Methil to Sundswall, 2,400, 20s., 500, May.