June 18, 1915.	THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

1291

North of England.

A dispute has arisen at the Brayton. Domain Colliery Com-
pany’s Nos. 4. and 5 pits, near Aspatria, and a 14-days’
notice to terminate contracts, which will affect over 1,000
workpeople, was handed in on Monday. The trouble is a
peculiar one. It appears that the men employed at these
collieries have been accustomed to obtain their coals for
household use for 5d. per cwt. About three weeks ago, the
men, along with the other miners at the other collieries in
the county, obtained a war bonus of 15J per cent. As the
selling price of coal to the general public has recently been
increased, the management of the Brayton Domain Col-
lieries posted a notice intimating that an advance of Id. per
cwt., bringing the price up to 6d. per cwt., would be made
on coals sold to the employees of the colliery during the time
that the war bonus was being paid. This was resented by
the men, and a deputation, consisting of Messrs. Goe.
Rayson, Robt. Bell, Wm. Thompson, and John Dickinson,
waited on the manager, without any result. At a special
meeting of the men on Saturday evening a ballot was taken,
when a large majority voted in favour of a strike if the
increase was persisted in.

Mr. T. H. Cann, recently elected secretary of the Durham
Miners’ Association in succession to the late Mr. John
Wilson, M.P., last Saturday issued his first circular in that
capacity to the miners. In the circular he pays a tribute to
his predecessor, discusses the result of the recent “ war
bonus ” negotiations—remarking that, although a long way
short of the original demand, the advance obtained is
material, and will enable members to face the problem of
living with more equanimity—and rebukes-the lodges for
dispensing with so many checkweighmen in recent months.

After many weeks of debate, the Northumberland miners
have decided to acquiesce in the contention of the. county
coal owners that the present is not an opportune time in
which to seek a new wages agreement, and that the present
sliding scale, notice to terminate which on June 30 was
given in April, should continue until April 30, 1918. The
notice, it will be recalled, was given at the instructions of
the Miners’ Federation, which desired to secure uniformity
of agreements throughout the country. The county owners,
however, contended that to formulate a new agreement in
face of the difficult position of the coal trade at present was
inadvisable, and offered either to continue the old agreement
—which, indeed, is only about >a year old—for a further
term of three years, or to proceed without any agreement at
all. The miners submitted the offer to the executive com-
mittee of the Miners’ Federation, and the executive resolved
to leave the matter to the discretion of the local men. After
all, it is doubtful whether a more equitable agreement than
the present—which allows for 1 per cent, variation in wages
for every Id. variation in the selling price of coal above
7s. Id. per ton—could have been arrived at; however, many
conferences were held.

Next Tuesday, a conference of the representatives of
Northumberland coal owners- and the miners’ association
will be held at Newcastle, to consider the suggestion made
in the recent report of Sir Richard Redmayne’s Committee
that owners and workmen should consult as to the extent,
if any, to which the Eight Hours Act should be suspended
in individual districts.

At a very influential meeting, representing both employers
and employed, held at Blyth on Wednesday of this week,
for the purpose of furthering the War Office’s appeal for
recruits and of devising ways >and means of accelerating
the supply of munitions, Mr. T. C. Heatley said it would
have to be considered whether the recruiting of miners
should cease. The prosperity of the coal industry. was
being threatened through the large enlistment of miners.
In his view, the miners could serve their country as faith-
fully in the mines as in the trenches, and there were other
classes of industry which might be drawn upon for recruits.
The Duke of Northumberland, who followed, expressed
agreement with Mr. Heatley’s view, but remarked that the
man at the front gave his whole energy to the business of
the war. There was no eight-hour day for him.

Federated Area.

The Conciliation Board for the Somerset coal field met at
Bristol, on Tuesday, and awarded the miners a war bonus
of 15 per cent, on the present standard, equivalent to about
3s. in the £, the increase to date from May 6. It is stated
that in the Bristol coal fields, which have no conciliation
board, wages will be regulated, as usual, by the Somerset
award.

For many years past every alternate Monday has been
observed at the Hafod Colliery, Ruabon, as a holiday, being
known as “ play ” Monday. In view, however, of the
present shortage of coal, owing to so many of the employees
from this colliery having joined the Colours, it has been
decided by the men to work on “ play ” Mondays in future
during the period of the war. This offer was made con-
tingent on the masters agreeing that the arrangements
should not prejudice the men’s interests in the matter after
the war, as this “ play ” Monday has always been a strong
point with the men at this colliery. The agreement has
been entered into on satisfactory lines to both parties.
There are about 1,200 men employed at this colliery, which
is one of the largest in the North Wales coal field, and the
arrangement should materially assist the output.

A meeting of colliery surface workers in the Barnsley dis-
trict, on Wednesday, decided to press for the full rate of
advance given in the South Yorkshire colliery area. The
decision affects six collieries, employing about 4,000 men.
The meeting was held under the auspices of the National
Federation of Colliery Surface Workers. One of the points
raised was whether the men were willing to accept the lower
ratio percentage than had been granted in the South York-
shire area, 'which was an offer of 22 per cent, for non-
manipulators of coal, as against 26J per cent, granted by
South Yorkshire owners, 'and of 27 per cent, for coal
manipulators, as 'against 32J per cent, granted in South
Yorkshire. The men unanimously adopted a resolution
expressing confidence in the officials, but agreeing not to
accept anything less than the South Yorkshire agreement,
and asking the officials to arrange a further conference with
the employers.

At Old Hill Police-court, on Wednesday, Mr. G. Williams
applied for the withdrawal of summonses issued by Messrs.
David Parsons and Sons, Stour Colliery, Cradley Heath,
against 57 miners for neglect of work. He explained that
these workmen came out on strike in sympathy with a few
other miners, who had been summoned previously, but
when the dispute had been settled amicably the miners’
leaders expressed a wish that the proceedings should be
withdrawn, and Messrs. Parsons had agreed to that course.
The justices agreed to the summonses being withdrawn.

At a conference of the Pelsall District Miners’ Association,
Mr. F. J. Dean (agent) reported that generally war bonus

troubles had been settled satisfactorily, but there were
exceptions in the cases of men who were on light employ-
ment and part compensation. He was instructed to obtain
counsel’s opinion as to whether workmen in this category
were entitled to the full 15J per cent, bonus awarded by
Eord Coleridge. A resolution was adopted protesting
strongly against the “ exorbitant prices being charged by
the coal owners for coal, knowing full well that the prices
they have added recently are more than treble what the
15J per cent, bonus payable to the workmen will amount
to.” The council decided to increase old-age pensions
allowances by 6d. weekly to meet the increased cost of
living.

At a council meeting off the Yorkshire Miners’ Association
at Barnsley on Monday, the president, Mr. H. Smith, in the
chair, votes of sympathy were passed with the relatives of
a further 57 members who have lost their lives on
military service, making the association’s total loss in the
service of King and country 162 up to date. In each case
the association is paying a death claim of £6. — Mr. H.
Smith, in a statement to the Press, said with regard to the
question of taking a ballot at the Frystone Collieries,.relative
to existing grievances, it was decided to suspend the matter
pending the result of a promised interview with the manage-
ment. The association, continued Mr. Smith, dealt with
the question of the war bonus and the way it was being
applied at certain collieries, and was sorry to learn that
some very ingenious methods were being adopted to evade
payment. At some collieries, where men had to use a large
amount of explosives, the cost of the explosives was deducted
before adding the war bonus. For example, a man earning
£2 had 2s. taken off for explosives, and was only paid the
war bonus on £1 18s. instead of £2. At other collieries
they were refusing to pay men the war bonus who were only
able to earn the minimum wage, and in other cases men
on light work and in receipt of part compensation were being
disallowed the war bonus. The association was determined
that the war bonus should be applied to all the wages paid.
They were surprised that at a time like this there should
be this disinclination on the part of certain coal owners to
fulfil their obligations. The question of the minimum wage
- plus the 15 per cent, being paid to day wage men and boys
was also referred to. Mr. Smith said they had hoped that
this matter would have been cleared up, and that the men
would have received the money from May 1, but it seemed
difficulties still existed, though they hoped they would dis-
appear as a result of the meeting between representatives
of the parties concerned. The miners were prepared to keep
tup the output of coal as much as possible, and they looked
for fair treatment from the colliery owners and the payment
of their jusit dues and demands. They were also having
some little difficulty at some branches on the non-union
question, and hoped the managements of collieries would
take the recommendation of the Coal Organisation Com-
mittee, and allow no friction to be caused by the employ-
ment of non-union men at these pits. “We are deter-
mined,” concluded Mr. Smith, “ that every man and boy
working .in or about the mine in Yorkshire shall be a member
of this association.”

An acute stage has been reached in the wages dispute
between the North 'Staffordshire Colliery Owners’ Associa-
tion and the National Union of Enginemen, Firemen, Motor-
men, Mechanics, and Electrical Workers. The union has
claimed on behalf of its members employed at all pits in
the North Staffordshire coalfield the .same war bonus as
that granted tb the miners, namely, 15J per cent. Negotia-
tions with the coal owners have resulted in their offer to
concede the full bonus to enginemen and firemen, but only
‘in part to mechanics and electrical workers. The point of
difference between the union and colliery proprietors is on
the latter’s claim that an advance of 7| per cent, granted
to mechanics and electrical workers last February should
form part'of the war bonus. The union’s contention is that
although the advance was not given until last February, it
was claimed that negotiations were in progress some time
before the outbreak of war, and should, therefore, be quite
independent of the war bonus. Mass meetings of the men
concerned have been held, and they have unanimously
rejected the employers’ offer.

Allegations of slacking resulting in the obstruction of the
output of coal were made at the 'Barnsley West Riding
Police Court on Wednesday, when a number of workmen at
the Carlton Main Colliery were summoned for breach of
colliery contract. Six men were summoned, from whom
damages were claimed varying in amount from 10s. to 30s.
—on the basis of 5s. per day.—Mr. W. M. Gichard, prose-
cuting, explained that the men were employed at the Grime-
thorpe Colliery, and said the offences occurred during period
May 24-31, Whit-week. The colliery company had been
very anxious to avoid prosecutions, and had issued specific
and general warnings and pithead notices, which had been
disregarded by the defendants. These men were failing in
their duty to their country and to their fellow workmen.
Since the war broke out the percentage of absentees at the
pit had increased from 16 per cent, to 27 per cent. This
would be the last warning at this colliery, and, from what
he had heard, very many other collieries had come to the
same conclusion.—Mr. J. Spencer Stanhope (chairman) said
the amount claimed in each case, with costs, would be
ordered to be paid, and they hoped, after what had been
said, there would be no further trouble. — There were 10
similar claims against workmen employed at the Old Silk-
stone Colliery Company, but it was understood that a settle-
ment had been effected, and they were withdrawn.—Charles
Dunlary, miner, who did not appear, was summoned at the
instance of the Wharncliffe Silkstone Colliery Company for
breach of contract.—Mr. Rideal, on behalf of Col. Hewitt,
said the defendant absented himself from work on May 31
and June 1 and 2. As a result of his absence, the breeze
house of the coke ovens was closed, and the colliery company
sustained a loss of at least £8. On June 3 defendant
worked, and on the following day he turned up in such a
drunken condition that it was not safe for him to be about
the premises, and he was ordered off. Drink was the cause
of his absence from work.—The Bench made an order for
defendant to pay £2 damages and costs.

Scotland.

At the monthly meeting of the executive of the Fife and
Kinross Miners’ Board, held at Dunfermline on Saturday,
Mr. William Adamson, M.P., the general secretary, while
submitting the annual financial statement, said that not-
withstanding the exceptional circumstances, the year
constituted a record in the history of the association. The
income for the year, £19,259, was the highest figure , yet
reached, this in spite of the complete collapse of the coal
trade in .Fife and Kinross when the war began, causing
them to reduce the contribution from 6d. per week to Id.

for a period of five months. After paying the benefits due
to members, donations, and expenses, they had added to
their banking account £8,534 10s., the largest saving made
in any single year since the union was formed. The fact
that almost 9,000 of the mine workers employed in the coal-
fields of Fife and Kinross were engaged in the conflict,
would bring new responsibilities, which meant that those of
their members who remained in the industry would require
to put forward every effort to maintain the homes and
protect the social conditions of the people at the highest
possible standard. By a large majority it was decided to
contribute Id. per week per member to the funds for Belgian
refugees, this sum to be apportioned between the Glasgow
Corporation Fund and the fund for the relief of trade
unionists in Glasgow. The meeting also granted a dona-
tion of £50 towards the Miners’ Convalescent Homes,
Saltcoats.

The settlement of disputes at two Lanarkshire collieries
was intimated on Friday last at a meeting of the executive
of the National Union of Scottish Mine Workers held in
Glasgow. Mr. Robert Smillie, president, was in the chair.
At the close of the meeting it was intimated that Mr.
Gilmour reported that the serious dispute which arose some
time ago at Oadzow Colliery had now been amicably
settled. The men accepted the new agreement, and work
had been resumed. Mr. Tonner reported that at Mount
Vernon Colliery, Shettleston, the men were locked out on
the previous Tuesday morning, and had been idle since.
The reason given by the management was that the men
remained idle on Monday, when they held a meeting to
discuss miners’ business. Mr. Tonner stated that he had
a meeting with the general manager for the firm, and after
some discussion an arrangement was come to for the men
to resume work. Mr. Brown read a communication from
the secretary of the Colliery Medical Association, suggest-
ing dates for a joint conference between the miners’ repre-
sentatives and the association. It was agreed to offer to
meet the doctors in conference in Glasgow, to-day (Friday).

The Scottish miners’ claim for an advance of 50 per cent,
on basis rates, equal to 2s. per day, less 9d. recently
granted as a war bonus, was considered at a meeting of the
Scottish Coal Trade Conciliation Board held in Glasgow on
Tuesday. The parties again failed to agree, and it was
decided to refer the matter to a neutral chairman. Sir
George Askwith, of the Board of Trade, was accepted by
both parties as arbiter.

Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades.

The audit of the average selling price of iron on account
of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Wages Board,
deals with the results for the months of March and April.
The rate for puddling should', it is shown, be increased by
6d. a ton ; and for milling and (forge wages will be advanced
2J per cent.; the new rates taking effect as from June 7,
continuing to August 7. In addition to the puddling rate
of 2s. a ten, the allowance of 6d. per ton will be given to
the puddlers under the resolutions of the-Wages Board of
three years ago. A number of the South Wales works are
in association with the Midland Wages Board; and it is
in this connection that these rates have been fixed.

Sale of Coal in London.—The London County Council has
recently made additional by-laws under the Weights and
Measures Act, 1889, with respect to the sale of coal in the
County of London (exclusive of the City of London). The
new by-laws, which have been duly approved by the Board
of Trade, and are now in force, are,as follow

Prescribing the affixing of metal tablets containing the
price of coal on vehicles carrying coal for sale.

1.	—No person in charge of a vehicle offering for sale
coal in quantities not exceeding 2 cwt. in such vehicle shall
sell or offer for sale such coal unless there shall be affixed
on prominent and conspicuous parts of such vehicle so as-
to be visible on both sides thereof, metal tablets on which
shall be clearly marked in a permanent manner in a figure
or figures of at least 3 in. in length the price per cwt. at
which the coal is offered for sale, and such person shall
not alter, deface, remove, or exchange such figure or
figures, except at the place of loading or at the office of
his employer.

Prescribing that coal shall not be sold at a greater price
than the price shown on the metal tablets.

2.	—Every person in charge of a vehicle to which is
affixed a metal tablet, as specified in the foregoing by-law
No. 1, shall, on a sale of any such coal, not charge to the
purchaser any price greater than that marked on the said
metal tablet.

Penalty.

3.	—The penalty for a breach of either of the foregoing
by-laws, Nos. 1 and 2, shall be a sum not exceeding £5,
and such penalty shall be recoverable summarily in a
police court or other court of summary jurisdiction in
manner provided by the Summary Jurisdiction Acts.

Exports and Imports of Mining Machinery.—The values
of imports and exports of mining machinery during
May were as follow :—

1914.	1915?	1914.	1915?

£ £ £ £

Imports .............. 8,707	... 7,376 ... 45,703 ... 35,636

Exports ............ 55,248 ... 54,961 ...393,813 ...233,155

These figures are not inclusive of prime movers or electrical
machinery. According to destination, the value of exports
was as under :—

	May.		Jan.-May.
	1914.	1915.	4 1914.	1915?
To—	£	£	£ £
Countries in Europe ....		9,713..	. 6,338.-.	. 86,588... 29,357
United States of America..	50 .	—	469...	66
Countries in S. America ...	3,318..	.’ 2,259^	. 20,936... 5,490
British South Africa 		15,549..	. 20,520..	.125,065... 94,277
,, East Indies 		7,050..	. 5,677..	. 38,442	23,439
Australia 			3,210;.	. 3,488..	. 22,901... 12,289
New Zealand 	\...	1,077..	. 2,512..	. 6,493... 4,972
Other countries 		15,281..	. 14,157..	. 92,919... 62,815
The following shows the	exports	of prime movers other	
than electrical :—			

May.	Jan.-May.

	1914.	3915. ’ ' 1914.	1915?
All prime movers electrical)—	(except £	£. £ £
Rail locomotives.		329,566..	. 93,755..1,775,392.. 999,598
Pumping 	....		 36,184..	. 46,380	228,357.. 241,556
Winding			 6,828..	. 2,459... 18,818 .. 4,996