182

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

July 23, 1915.

ing, the members journeyed to the metropolis afterwards.
Mr. Runciman, during Friday, saw separately the coal-
owners and the men’s Executive; but matters were not at
all advanced, although the latter were in consultation
with him for three hours1. The President of the Board of
Trade did not indicate any further action intended by
himself. The owners’ representatives who met him were :
Mr. F. L. Davis, Mr. T. Deakin, Mr. J. Shaw, Mr. W.
Stewart, with Mr. Gascoyne Dalziel (secretary). The
Miners’ Executive were in a weak position, for, when
asked whether they were able to conclude terms, they had
to reply in the negative, and state that all they could do
was to carry proposals to another conference. Such a con-
fession, after a week of negotiation, when so large a pro-
portion of their demands had been conceded, and they had
failed to keep the men at work, lessened materially their
power of negotiation.

Apart from insistence upon their actual demands, a
main contention of the men was that they had not been
fairly treated by the coalowners, because the latter refused
to discuss terms of a new agreement. The resentment
occasioned by this found general expression, reinforced
by a belief that this refusal was dictated by desire to drive
off the period of negotiation till peace is in sight and the
condition of the coal market directly opposite to what it
is now : a period of over-supply both of coal and labour.
It is this belief which has energised the demand for a new
agreement at the present time ; or, in the alternative, that
any temporary arrangement now made should prevail for
a specified period after the war ends. The fact that
agreements have been made in the English areas was also
used as an argument for insisting upon an agreement in
South Wales.

Saturday and Monday little more than marked time,
except that on the latter day an intimation was received
that Mr. Lloyd George, with the gentlemen named below,
purposed to visit Cardiff and discuss the matter with the
Miners’ Executive. The Ministerial party reached Car-
diff at half-past nine that evening, and were engaged till
after midnight in once more debating the matter. Tues-
day was a very busy day, negotiations being conducted
separately with the employers’ representatives and with
the men’s Executive; and during the evening it was
announced that terms had been arranged for submission
to a conference of delegates on Wednesday morning. That
conference duly met, and shortly after twelve o’clock
accepted the proposals. The following is a summary of
the terms :—'

The men obtain a new standard 50 per cent, above the
old one of 1879; and upon that new standard a minimum
wage rate of 10 per cent, has been fixed, no equivalent
selling price of coal being stated in respect of this new
minimum wage rate, but the independent chairman being
at liberty to consider an equivalent to the new minimum
when fixing any future rate of wages. Put briefly, this
means that the men have secured a minimum wage-rate of
as much as 30 per cent, more than the old minimum—
reckoning in terms of the old standard. The minimum pre-
viously was 35 per cent, on the wage-rate of 1879. The
newT standard being 50 per cent, above the old one, it fol-
lows that 10 per cent, on this new standard is equal
to 15 per cent, on the old one, and that, consequently, the
new minimum wage-rate is the equivalent of 65 per cent,
on the old standard. At present the men are getting a
war bonus of 17^ per cent, on the old standard, which
was added to their maximum of 60 per cent., making the
wage-rate at present 77£ per cent, above the old standard.
They are, therefore—again reckoning terms of the old
standard—12-g per cent, above their new minimum.

Under the new agreement there will be no maximum
wage-rate.

Six turns for five will be paid on all afternoon and
night shifts, and there will be equal payment for night
and day hauliers.

The agreement applies only to members of the Federa-
tion.

The new agreement is to extend for six months after the
termination of the war, and then be subject to three
months’ notice.

Standard rates for underground day wage men which
at present are less than 3s. 4d. are to be advanced to
3s. 4d., plus 50 per cent., thus making the standard for
this class of men to be 5s. in future. With the 10 per cent.,
they will get 5s. 6d. per day.

In certain cases where the rate has been fixed under the
Minimum Wage Act, the new terms are subject to the
rules applicable to those rates, pending decision of an arbi-
trator appointed by the Board of Trade on the question
of what special rates (if any) shall apply in cases in which
those rules are not observed.

The provision limiting application of the new terms to
Federationists reads as follows :—

“ The agreement shall apply to all workmen now
employed, or who may hereafter be employed, at the
collieries of the owners, and who may be members of the
South Wales Miners’ Federation.”

In case of any difficulty arising as to application of the
new terms to ordinary working, the point is to be referred
to the President of the Board of Trade, whose decision
shall be final.

With regard to anthracite men, and the claim that they
are entitled to 5 per cent, which is alleged to have been
previously conceded by them in relation to the 1879 stan-
dard, this matter is to be the subject of future enquiry,
but the probability is that the 5 per cent, which the
anthracite men claim will be considered as merged in the
new terms which have been conceded.

The payment of six turns for five will not be vitiated
by failure to work the six turns should the failure not be
due to the workman himself.

Any point of difference as to adjustment of standards
will be determined through the action of the Board of
Trade.

The foregoing terms—practically all that the men
originally sought—were arrived at after prolonged debate
and discussion during Tuesday, the Government repre-
sentatives—Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Runciman, Mr. Hen-
derson, with whom were Sir Llewellyn Smith and Mr.
Isaac Mitchell—meeting separately the coalowners’ repre-
sentatives and the Miners’ Executive. The one great
point of the Government representatives was the need of
ending the strike because of the absolute necessity of
securing coal, not alone for the Fleet, but also for manu-
facture of munitions and for general industrial purposes.

This was the argument which prevailed in the case of the
employers, inducing them to make concessions which in
otner circumstances would, no doubt, have been strenu-
ously resisted.

Tne change in wage rates and general conditions is of
a very drastic nature, affecting the coal industry vitally.
Tne question has been already raised whether, with re-
gard to some of the undertakings less favourably situated,
it will be possible under such terms to continue operations
when the present market conditions have been altered.
Tne additional costs, even apart from wages, are so high,
ana tne general circumstances of business at the conclusion
oi peace are so uncertain.

.During Tuesday evening meetings were held in nearly
every part of tne coalfield, at vvnich members of the
Lxecutive explained the new conditions, and in nearly
every case secured the passing of resolutions approving
wnar had been done and instructing delegates to tne con-
ference on Wednesday to vote in favour of accepting the
terms. In one or two instances the resolution was con-
trary—as, for example, Blama, where delegates .were
authorised to vote against the terms of settlement; or at
Tylorstown, where, owing to trouble with non-unionists,
tne resolution was that tne men's representatives should
press tneir original demands.

The workmen are not debarred from applying for a
further alteration in the wage-rate should they consider
that the market conditions warrant them in so doing.
Tne terms were submitted to the conference of delegates
on vveanesday, and after nearly two hours’ discussion
were carried by a large majority. A motion was sub-
mitted to leave the nnal decision in the hands of the
men by means of a ballot, but the motion was rejected.

intimation of the resolution of acceptance was taken to
Mr. Lloyd George, and soon after mid-day that gentleman,
with Mr. Bunciman, Mr. Henderson, fcur Llewellyn
Smith, and Mr. Isaac Mitchell, visited the hall where tne
delegates were assembled, the Minister of Munitions de-
livering a stirring speech, in which he expressed satisfac-
tion at the decision the delegates had arrived at, impressed
forcibly upon them the need of regularity in work at the
collieries, and urged that operations should be resumed as
promptly as possible, with endeavour to make up for the
shortage occasioned by the week's stoppage.

Mr. Runciman, who also spoke, followed in the same
strain; and Mr. Henderson desired that the men w ould
give up their August Bank Holiday in order to increase
tne output. The Government party returned to London
auring Wednesday afternoon.

Telegrams were at once despatched to all parts of the
coalfield, instructing the night men to go to work during
W ednesday evening.

Although lasting only a week, the stoppage has proved
to be seriously injurious to the district; and expressions
of disapproval were general. The busy area around
Swansea, its varied industries of copper-smelting, tin-plate
manufacture, chemicals, as well as iron and steel, has been
badly hurt by the stoppage; while, in addition, the docks
have been idle so far as regards tipping and trimming,
and the railway work materially lessened. As an ordinary
practice, no stocks of coal are laid in; and, consequently,
such a stoppage as has been experienced occasions almost
immediate cessation of operations. Tens of thousands of
men in the industries named, as well as in galvanised sheet
works, had to stand idle, and heavy losses have been in-
flicted upon employers.

Similar evil effect has been witnessed all through the
district. Newport was able to continue shipments at the
docks till Sunday, there being large quantities awaiting
dispatch. At Barry there was complete stoppage on Sun-
day ; Cardiff suffered heavily; and Penarth was no more
fortunate, nor was Port Talbot.

More than six hundred men were idle in the patent fuel
works of Cardiff district alone; and hundreds more in
those of the West, owing to the lack of small coal. What
stocks were in hand at the pits, the colliery companies
had to reserve for use of their own boilers.

Incidental to the strike is the stoppage, inevitable and
most injurious, of other dependent industries that need
large quantities of coal, with regular supply. A typical
case is that of the Ebbw V ale works, where, in addition
to the collieries, the operations include coke ovens, by-
product manufacture, smelting of ore, manufacture of
steel, rolling of bars and plates, the making of corrugated
sheets, etc. Some of the works are engaged in the pro-
duction of war material, and these could be specified were
such disclosure permissible. But it is to important
operations of direct necessity in respect of war supplies
that the stoppage has a serious detrimental effect. Re-
verting to Ebbw Vale as an illustration, it may be noted
that the magnificent series of coke ovens recently brought
into working, with the by-product plant attached, alone
require thousands of tons of coal per week, and, in addi-
tion, the iron and steel departments need huge quantities.
As no coal is stocked, cessation of manufacture could
not be avoided except by resumption of work in the
collieries.

A great deal of loose talk—not confined to the side of
the men, where “ nationalisation ” has been the “ blessed
word ” for so long—has been current as to the Govern-
ment taking over the collieries. This sort of thing is to
be expected from Socialists and their sympathisers; but
the attempt to draw an analogy between Government
control of the railways and similar procedure in mining
is an utter failure. Only those who do not stay to con-
sider the subject would entertain the idea for an instant.
To bandy about the word “ control ” is felt, among the
reflective, to give point and encouragement to the would-
be nationalisers.

The idea that the Government should temporarily take
over the steam-coal collieries, dealing with these during
the war as is being done with the railways, is never-
theless regarded not unfavourably in circles other than
those of the workmen, who have repeatedly suggested it,
In the case of railways, the shareholders receive as divi-
dend the average of three recent years, less certain per-
centage (if there be general decline of traffic all over
the country, and also on account of war bonus to the
men). But it is obvious that, bearing in mind the high
colliery dividends of the past few years, the Government’s
position in regard to these would be very different, and
also that collieries which have had no dividend would
certainly not accept an average of their own past experi-
ence just at this time when there is prospect of earning
some return on capital owing to increased prices; nor

could the more fortunate undertakings agree to their
own average being reduced in order to provide some
dividend upon properties that formerly earned no pront.
ill-considered suggestions oi tnis kind ootli darken counsel
and encourage extremists among the men.

A statement has been issued, endorsed by the name
of Mr. K. L. Sails (Gwaun-cae-gurweu (Joinery), wmen
ousts the assertion of the anthracite men that b per cent,
on tne standard ougnt to be restored to them in any new
arrangement. He declares that there is “no foundation
whatever for saying that the 5 per cent, claimed is due to
tne workmen/’ Mr. Sails is one of the survivors of those
who m look: made tne agreement between employers and
men in the anthracite area, and he states that, after
the joint meeting had agreed to the principle of having
cnanges in the wage-rate similar to those of the Mon-
moutnshire and South Wales Association, the question
oi “standard"’ was fully considered, much time being
devoted to it. It was nnally agreed that the several
standard rates in the anthracite district were 5 per
cent, higher than the rates known as the “ 1879 stan-
dard.” And, consequently, it was arranged to reckon
the standard 5 per cent, less than in districts where
the standard was in accordance with that of 1879. “No
concession whatever was made by the men to the owners,”
he asserts; and he goes further, showing that by a peculiar
mode of reckoning, which he contravenes, the men gain
9£d. in the £ more than they would have had if the agree-
ment of 1882 had been properly drawn.

The Welsh Munitions Committee, meeting at Cardiff,
appealed to “ all those connected with the mining in-
dustry ” to use their utmost efforts in the cause of
industrial peace. The Workers’ Committee, meeting in
the House of Commons, supported the advice given by
the M.F.G.B. “ that the bouth Wales miners should
work from day to day till their grievances are met.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Rev. Dr. Clifford
appealed to the churches to offer prayers for industrial
peace during this time of national crisis. Mr. W.
Abraham, M.P. (Mabon), the veteran colliers’ leader,
who for a long period was president of the South Wales
Federation, issued a letter in which he stated : “ I strongly
implore the workmen to follow the advice of their leaders,
and thus assist to effect a settlement.”

Upon the question of strike pay, some little division
of opinion existed, but it was really a question of little
moment, the total amount available in Federation coffers
not exceeding (so it is understood) £1 per man. If
the Executive were to authorise strike pay, they would
doubtless come under the Munitions Act, and it might
be that an embargo would be laid upon the funds
themselves.

The authority of the delegates’ conference has been
questioned on the ground that it is not representative,
inasmuch as men who have enlisted (50,000 at least) are
still regarded as members of the Federation; and the
allegation, therefore, was put forward that these were
reckoned in the total of votes recorded. Such an idea
is, however, mistaken; for whilst the men at the Front
are still retained as nominal members of the Federation,
the only votes counted in a conference are those for which
each lodge has sent up contributions to the central fund,
and, of course, the lodges are not sending in contributions
in respect of men now in the Army, and consequently not
subscribing. These men on their return will be immedi-
ately reinstated as Federationists without any entrance
fee, their period of Army service being one of suspension
as far as regards contribution. The mistaken idea has
got abroad, doubtless because the delegates are elected
half-yearly only, and the assumption therefore has been
that they voted in respect of the men who were lodge
members at the time of their election. Apparently, this
is not the case, voting power being really based upon
payments by the lodge to the central fund.

A rumour has been prevalent as to the probability
of another tax on exported coal. Former experience does
not promise any very great yield to the Exchequer from
such a source, seeing how much the total of exports has
now declined. It is extremely inadvisable that any
further hindrance to business should be established, giving
America additional advantage in our foreign markets. Yet
the belief as to Government intention is persistent, and
omission from the Coal Prices Bill of any reference to
exports is regarded as a corroboration of the rumour.

Decisive action has been taken, altering the system of
credit hitherto operating in the export trade of coal. At
a meeting of exporters and sales agents, held in Cardiff
Exchange Buildings on Thursday, the proposal which
was mooted a few weeks back came up for further dis-
cussion, Mr. John Andrews being in the chair. Terms
that have been prevalent were—net cash at 30 days, or
cash against invoice, less $ Per cent., at the option of
the seller; and the greater part of business has been on
the latter basis. The new terms wrill not come into
operation until January 1st, 1916, so that practically six
months’ notice is given of the change, and they will
be—net cash at 14 days, or cash against invoice, less
per cent., at the option of the seller. It was decided
by a majority that this change in conditions of business
should be made, but there were opponents who argued
that this was not the time to make such a difference, and
that after the war an extension of credit might be neces-
sary. On the other hand, it was contended that had
14 days, instead of 30, been the practice at the outbreak
of war, the amount owing then to Cardiff firms wrould
have been half what it was—namely, 1£ millions sterling—
and that after the war the giving of credit would be more
risky, the general financial position being less stable.
It is considered that the alteration will advantage larger
firms as against the smaller men, who cannot command
so much capital.

A presentation of plate was made at Gilfach Goch,
on Saturday, to Mr. Arthur G. Brown by the officials
of the Britannic, Trane, and Glamorgan Collieries on
his leaving the district to take up appointment its agent
at the Llanbradach Collieries.

Northumberland and Durham.

New Bunkering Regulations — Licences for Sweden — A
Long-lived Collier—W ater in the Colliery Districts.

The Newcastle Chamber of Commerce has addressed a
complaint to the authorities that the new bunkering regula-
tions enforced this week have been issued without official