June 25, 1915. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1337 Licensing Committee as to the danger of the plan which they have adopted. The general opinion appears to be that the object of the Committee is not to conserve the co^l of this country but to bring down prices, seeing that all coal sent out of the country for which the foreigner has to pay, the amount to be paid is considerably less than it would have been had the market prices been ruled by the old law of supply and demand. It is very difficult to state what are current prices at present for the cheaper grades of Admiralty coal, Monmouthshire coals, and also colliery small, as it depends in a very large measure upon the position of the collieries so far as stemming is concerned, and secondly, the prices at which the middlemen have contracts with the colliery. Even at the comparatively speaking reduced prices which are being accepted at present, middlemen are still reaping a handsome profit, and it is reported that as much as 3s., and even 4s., difference in prices is being reported for the same grade coal. The quotation for cheaper Admiralty coals may as a rule be given as about 30s., but this price is very considerably discounted if the coal be supplied through a middleman. The month is fast drawing to an end, and this again has a depressing effect upon prices, as regards middlemen, unless they place stems with the colliery for their monthly proportion, other- wise they run the risk of having the quantity stemmed for during the month cancelled. Small coal prices are very weak, more particularly for cargo qualities. One of the chief causes for this is, that at present there is a large number of loaded steamers at the principal French ports awaiting discharge. It is said that there are no less than 50 steamers at present waiting turn at Bordeaux, the result being that large sums for demurrage are incurred, and shippers are refusing in a number of cases to add to the congestion by sending forward further loaded tonnage. The general opinion is that as soon as this congestion has been relieved prices will recover. At the present time from 16s. 6d. to 17s. 6d. may be considered a fair quotation for ordinary cargo qualities. This is for fairly prompt business. So far as quotations ahead are concerned, very little business is doing, as both buyers and sellers are waiting developments. There is a probability that quotations may be very materially affected within the course of the next few days. The suggestion, of course, has been made that selling prices at the pithead shall be controlled by the Government, so as to leave a margin of Is. 3d. to Is. 6d. per ton for the producer. In the mean- time all sorts of matters are being discussed as to the effect of regulations which have already been enforced. Mr. T. E. Watson, the president of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce, at a meeting held on Wednesday, stated that at his firm's colliery the 17| per cent, war bonus had meant an increase of Is. lOd. per ton on large coal, and Is. 2d. per ton on through coal. Furthermore he remarked that the average wages of every collier in his employ during the month of May was over 9s. 4d. per day, whilst some men received over 17s. per day. He only wished every collier could receive 17s. per day, because the better a man did for himself, the better he did for his employer, and the better service he rendered the State. High wages, however, did not intend to increase production. In the early part of the year the percentage of absenteeism was a little over 11 per cent., whereas since the war bonus had been declared it had increased to a little over 14/, per cent. This is an object lesson which ought to be realised by those in authority in any action they may take, either in the way of restricting exports or controlling prices. Shipments last week amounted to 302,167 tons, compared with 515,319 tons in the corresponding week of last year, or a decrease of 213,152 tons. These figures, of course, do not include shipments on Admiralty account. From Cardiff alone there were exported 169,981 tons, against 335,663 tons or a decrease of 165,682 tons. From Newport the exports were 38,491 tons or a decrease of 46,619 tons, from Swansea 72,983 tons or an increase. of 5,009 tons and from Port Talbot 20,712 tons or a decrease of 5,860 tons. Considering the circumstances, charterings were fairly satisfactory and amounted to 118,450 tons compared with 127,920 tons in the preceding six days, or a decrease of 9,470 tons. As already indicated, prices have been extremely regular, but generally speaking the quotation for what steam coal is allowed to come on to the market is on the basis of 28s. to 30s. In sympathy with Cardiff coal, Monmouthshire descriptions are also slightly lower, Black Veins being 28s. to 30s., western-valleys 26s. to 27s. and easterns 23s. to 25s. Inferior grades are 2s. to 3s. less. Best bunkers do not command more than 21s., ordinaries 19s. 6d. to 20s. 6d. and cargo qualities 16s. 6d. to 17s. 6d. For bituminous coals there is very little enquiry, but owing to the restriction of output prices do not show much change. No. 3 Rhondda large is 27s., through-and-through 25s., and small 23s., No. 2 large does not command more than 23s., through 20s. to 21s. and small 18s. 6d. Coke is about 2s. cheaper, special foundry being 38s. to 40s. and furnace 32s. to 34s. Exports of patent fuel last week were rather low and only amounted to 22,000 tons, of which nearly 13,000 tons were exported from Cardiff. Manufacturers are fully booked for some time ahead, and are disinclined to modify their prices, which for best grades are about 37s. per ton. Second qualities can be obtained at 2s. to 3s. less. Pitwood is offering at 28s. 6d. to 29s. per ton. The following table shows the details of exports to foreign countries and British possessions during May, compared with the corresponding month of 1914:— May 1915. May 1914. Tons. Tons. Russia — 72,663 Sweden 409 ... 24,843 Norway 8,546 ... 26,031 Denmark 4,452 ... 5,336 Germany — 26,497 Netherlands 1,512 ... 7,747 Belgium — 30,594 Prance 763,943 ... 583,723 Algeria 36,282 70,038 French Somaliland 6,998 ... 11,714 Portugal 47,434 ... 58,854 Madeira 6,663 ... 2,003 Spain 66,506 ... 84,265 Canary Islands 15,200 40,600 Italy 193,004 483,798 Italian East Africa —~ 5,284 Austria-Hungary . -— 21,757 Greece 28,772 ... 23,891 Bulgaria : — 11,566 Roumania — 45,287 Turkey (European) 3,484 ..’ 11,933 „ (Asiatic).. — 8,462 Tunis 10,036 .... 22,465 Chili 42,422 . 28 Brazil ; 76,208 ... 37,206 Uruguay 21,327 ... 86,014 Argentine Republic 113,496 ... 278,259 Gibraltar 14,883 ... 5,444 Malta and Gozo 13,541 ... 18,312 Egypt 52,700 142,912 Anglo-Egyptian Sudan — 6,058 Mauritius & Dependencies 990 ... 7,838 Aden and Dependencies 13,128 ... 16,449 British India — 27,692 Ceylon and Dependencies... 14,390 ... 23,375 West Africa (French) 5,967 ... 3,406 „ (Portuguese)... 15,547 ... 2,077 „ (British) 4,344 ... 12,395 IRON. The shipments of tin-plates last week were far in excess of the receipts from works; and, in fact, made the largest total in any week since the commencement of the war. The exports were 163,439 boxes compared with 74,333 boxes received from works, leaving in stock 226,850 boxes, com- pared with 312,000 boxes in the preceding six days. Prices are high, and Bessemer standard cokes are 19s. to 19s. 3d., and oil sizes 19s. 4|d. to 19s. 6d. and 27s. 6d. respectively. There is a smart demand from countries where licences are freely granted, but in other cases, where manufacturers have been in the habit of sending to certain destinations, the business has been almost entirely suspended. No doubt this matter will be set right in the near future, but in the meantime the Government are running no risks, and busi- ness is delayed in consequence. There is an easier tendency in Welsh steel bars, which are now offered at <£7 per ton, and even less than these prices are being accepted for prompt business. In the galvanised sheet trade there is a difficulty in fixing prices. A week ago spelter was <£115 per ton ; to-day it is <£95 per ton, but makers are nervous, and still quote <£22 10s. for 24-gauge corrugateds. In the heavy steel trade the mills are fully occupied, chiefly in Govern- ment work. Iron ore is 24s. 6d. to 25s. for best rubio, with 21s. fid. to 22s. 6d. for second qualities. In scrap metals there is practically no alteration. Llanelly. COAL. There has been a big improvement in the demand for certain coals in this market. Until quite recently a number of the anthracite collieries found it most difficult to keep working more than half time, and prices were such that the margin was often on the wrong side. During the past two or three weeks, however, there has been a welcome change, and now nearly every coal is in brisk demand. For some kinds, in fact, it is impossible to get orders executed, and collieries are now refusing to quote. Large kinds are in very fair demand, but the machine-made qualities are in better request than they have been for some time, and prices are very much more satisfactory. Peas, which usually have been sold at 12s. or 13s., are now going at 18s. In the steam coal market, however, the position is weak, and it is getting increasingly difficult to keep collieries going. The delay in fixing licences has had a serious effect on the market, and prices in consequence are not nearly so firm. Bunkers have fallen several shilling per ton during the past two or three weeks. This week's prices approximately are:— Prices f.o.b. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals Current prices. * L’st week’s prices. * Last year’s prices. 21/ -22/ Superior seconds Ordinary do Best bunker smalls Best ordinaries.( * 28/ -30/ 21/ 20/ -20/6 16/6-17/6 15/ -16/ % 28/ -30/ 21/6-22/ 21/ 19/ -19/6 19/6-20/ 18/3-18/9 10/9-11/ 10/6-10/9. 8/3- 8/9 Cargo qualities Inferior smalls 18/ -18/6 7/ - 8/ Best dry coals 28/ -30/ 31/ -33/ • 1 v’/ 18/6-19/ 15/6-16/ 16/ 15/ Ordinary drys 26/ -28/ 28/ -30/ Best washed nuts Seconds 24/ -25/ 23/ —24/ 27/ 26/ Best washed peas Seconds 21/ -22/ 20/ -21/ 18/ -19/ 28/ -30/ 25/ 24/ 20/ 14/ -14/6 13/6 11/ -11/6 Dock screenings Monmouthshire— Black Veins 30/ -31/ 17/3-17/6 16/ -16/3 15/6-15/9 15/ -15/3 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6 14/9-15/ 12/ -12/3 13/ -13/6 Western-valleys Eastern-valleys Inferior do Bituminous coals:— Best house coals (at pit) Second qualities (at pit) No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large Through-and-through Small 26/ -27/ 23/ -25/ 21/ -22/ 29/ -30/ 27/ -29/ 27/ 25/ 23/ 27/ -28/ 22/ -25/ 20/ -21/ 30/ 27/ -29/ 28/ -29/ 25/ -26/ 23/ -24/ No. 2 Rhondda— Large 23/ 26/ -27/ Through-and-through Small 20/ -21/ 18/6 22/ -22/6 19/ —20/ 11/6 8/6- 9/ 21/ Best patent fuel 36/ -37/ 37/6 34/ -35/ Seconds 34/ -35/ 19/ -20/ Special foundry coke Ordinary do. Furnace coke 42/ -43/ 38/ -40/ 32/ -34/ 43/ -47/ 38/ -42/6 32/ -35/ 27/ -29/ 22/ -25/ 18/ -19/ Pitwood (ex-ship) 28/6-29/ 30/ | 19/ -19/6 Nominal. The following table shows the exports to foreign countries and British possessions during the five months of the year, and the decrease or increase respectively compared with the corresponding period of last year :— Five months, ended May. Increase. Decrease. Tons. Tons. Tons. Russia 4,704 ... — .. 111,936 Sweden 32,925 ... — .. 35,603 Norway 48,194 ... — .. 20,198 Denmark 14,741 ... — 1,489 Germany — — .. 107,375 Netherlands 12,517 ... — .. 18,883 Java ■— — .. 6,251 Other Dutch posses- sions — — .. 16,320 Belgium — — .. 156,199 France 3,697,405 ... 513,724 . — Algeria 220,913 ... — .. 70,460 French Somaliland .. 20,628 ... — .. 12,607 Madagascar 5,398 ... 1,246 . — Reunion (Bourbon).. — — .. 5,498 Portugal 279,008 ... — .. 50,208 Azores 17,702 ... 5,172 . .. — Madeira 34,027 ... — .. 4,638 Spain 337,556 ... — .. 208,728 Canary Islands 120,396 ... — .. 122,212 Italy 1,546,940 ... — .. 738,703 Italian East Africa 5,043 ... — .. 4,317 Austria-Hungary ... — • — .. 88,014 Greece 1 128,236 ... — .. 27,877 Bulgaria — — .. 41,933 Roumania — .. 106,512 Turkey — European 6,557‘ ... — .. 75,438 „ Asiatic ... — — .. 58,813 Tripoli — — 5,120 Tunis 46,353 ... — .. 19,966 Peru — — .. 12,667 Chile 21,817 ... — .. 130,814 Brazil 251,320 ... — .. 229,738 Uruguay 143,108 ... — .. 147,188 Argentine Republic.. 707,027 ... — .. 719,086 Channel Islands 17,782 ... — .. 10,682 Gibraltar 98,850 ... — .. 13,926 Malta and Gozo 53,272 ... — .. 104,433 Egypt 363,114 ... — .. 498,553 Cape of Good Hope 3,617 ... — .. 19,015 Anglo - Egyptian Sudan 6,935 ... — .. 19,348 Mauritius and De- pendencies 8,106 ... — .. 63,708 Aden and Dependen- cies 59,969 ... — .. 19,892 British India 8,106 ... — .. 63,708 Straits Settlements 763 ... — .. 15,604 Ceylon and Depen- 29,429 ... dencies — .. 107,157 Hong Kong — 8,872 Bermudas — — 6,528 British -West India Islands 2,573 ... — .. 7,641 W est Africa—French 71,753 . ... , 28,108 . — „ Portuguese 64,244 ... . 8,697 . — British ... 27,879 ... , — .. 30,650 Anthracite:— Best malting large .. Secondary do. ....... Big Vein large ...... Red Vein do.......... Machine-made cobbles... German nuts.......... French do............ Paris do............ Machine-made beans ... Do. peas.......... Culm ................ Duff................. Other sorts:— Large steam coal..... Through-and-through... Small ............... Bituminous small coal... Current prices. 21/ -22/6 19/ -20/6 18/ -19/ 17/ -18/6 28/ -30/ 25/ -28/ 28/ -31/ 28/ -31/ 23/ -25/ 16/6-17/6 11/6-12/6 6/6- 7/6 28/ -30/ 19/ -22/ 16/ -18/ 20/ -21/6 Swansea. COAL. L’st week's Last year’s prices. prices. 22/ -24/ 19/6-20/6 16/6-17/6 16/6-17/6 24/ -25/ 25/ -27/6 25/ -27/6 25/ -27/6 23/ -25/ 16/6-17/6 11/6-12/6 6/6- 7/6 30/ -32/ 20/ -23/ ! 16/ -18/ 20/ -21/ 21/ -22/ - 19/ -21/ 16/ -17/ 12/6-13/6 19/ -21/ 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 16/ -20/ 11/6-12/6 6/ - 6/6 4/6- 6/ 16/ -17/ 11/ -11/6 8/ - 9/ 10/6-11/ The trade of the port last week was highly satisfactory; the coal and patent fuel trades showed considerable activity, the shipments together amounting to 111,723 tons. A very good attendance assembled on ’Change, and the anthracite coal market continued to display a strong tone. There was a better demand for Swansea Valley large, and a further advance in values was noted. Red Vein large remained firm at last prices. For machine-made sizes there was an active demand, and prices were advanced, whilst any quantities were difficult to obtain. Rubbly culm and duff were exceedingly firm. There was a decidedly weaker feeling in steam coals, all descriptions being obtainable at lower prices. Prices f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Anthracite:— Best malting large (hand picked) (net)... Secondary do. Big Vein large (less 2| per cent.) Red Vein large do. ... Machine-made cobbles (net) Paris nuts (net) ’ French do. do Stove do. do Beans (net) Machine - made large peas (net) Do. fine peas (net) Rubbly culm (less 21 p.c. \ Duff (net) Steam coals:— Best large (less 2| p.c.) ‘ Seconds do. Bunkers (net) Small (less 2| p.c.) Bituminous coals No. 3 Rhondda— Large (less 2| p.c.) ... Through-and-through i (less 2| p.c.) Small (less 2| p.c.) ... Patent fuel do Current prices. 22/6-24/6 19/ -20/6 17/ -19/ 17/6-18/6 27/6-30/6 28/6-31/ 26/6-29/6 24/6-25/6 16/6-17/6 11/9-12/9 7/ - 7/3 27/ -29/ 23/6-26/ 20/9-22/6 15/ -18/ 28/,-30/ 21/ -22/ 32/ -35/ L'st week’s prices. 22/6-24/6 19/ -20/6 16/6-18/ 17/ —18/3 25/6-28/ 26/6-28/ 25/6-28/ 24/6-25/6 16/6-17/6 11/9-12/6 6/9- 7/3 28/ -30/ 24/ -26/6 20/9-22/ 15/6-19/ 28/ -30/ 21/ -22/ 32/ -35/ Last year's prices. 21/ -23/ 17/ -18/ 15/ -16/ 12/6-13/ 21/ -22/6 21/9-23/9 21/9-23/9 15/6-17/ 11/ -12/ 6/6- 6/9 4/3- 4/6 - 18/6-20/ 13/6-15/6 10/6-11/9' 8/6- 9/6 17/ -18/ 11/ -12/ 17/ -18/ '. IRON. There is little change to report in the trade of the district- Last week, great activity was everywhere observed, lack of labour being the chief cqmplaint. At the blast furnaces the men were working long hours to cope with the needs, whilst