THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN ________________________________________________________________________________ 432 August 27, 1915. latter refused to allow him to proceed with the loading of the vessel until the licence was actually produced, and in this particular case it involved a delay of three days. In contradistinction to this, it was stated that the Newport collector, when informed that a wire had been received granting a licence, would reply: “Well, you can load at your own risk, but I cannot clear the ship until the licence has been received?’ This makes all the difference in the world, and merchants are willing to take the risk rather than lose the certainty of not making a profit owing to delay. It was stated, in fact, that several shippers at Cardiff had been fined by the Customs for loading without permission. With such a variation in practice there is obviously a certain amount of discretion vested in the Government officials, and an effort is now to be made to see that this is exercised in the right direction. Another factor which it was thought would disturb the market is the fact that the miners, for the present at all events, have refused to accept the award of Mr. W. Runciman, the President of the Board of Trade, on the outstanding differences between owners and workmen. As a matter of fact, when the award was published on Tuesday it was con- jectured that there would be considerable opposition, but the difficulty was viewed with equanimity on ’Change, and prices were not in the slightest degree affected. Both sides submitted to arbitration, and, favourable or otherwise, it is contended that it should be adopted without further reference. The opinion on the market is that the owners will sit tight and let the men fight out the matter with the Government, and a deputation of the leaders has been appointed to interview Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Runciman, in order to elucidate the points of difference. Shipments last week amounted to 351,748 tons, compared with 161,267 tons in the corresponding week of last year, or an increase of 190,481 tons. This is the first time that the exports have shown an increase as compared with the corresponding period, since the outbreak of war, but it must be remembered that a year ago business was practi- cally at a standstill, except on Admiralty account, and every effort was then being made to assist the Government to the exclusion of every other interest. It must not be forgotten also that Admiralty shipments are not included in the return. From Cardiff alone there were exported 199,070 tons, compared with 94,197 tons, or an increase of 104,873 tons. From Newport the shipments were 49,517 tons, or a decrease of 4,957 tons ; from Swansea 79,133 tons, or an increase of 77,260 tons ; and from Port Talbot 24,028 tons, or a decline of 13,305 tons. Shipments to France have shown an improvement, but the biggest increase has been to South American ports, which were responsible for over 28,000 tons. The exports during the month of July, which have just come to hand, amount to 1,280,725 tons, compared with 2,613,743 tons in the corresponding month of last year, or a decrease of 1,333,018 tons. The following table shows the exports to foreign countries and British possessions in July last, compared with the quantities in July of 1914:— July 1915. Tons. July 1914. Tons. Russia — . 135,109 Sweden . 3,297 . 19,426 Norway . 1,175 . 10,327 Denmark . 8,131 884 Germany . — . 34,939 Netherlands . 5,211 9,488 Java — 7,361 Other Dutch Possessions ... — 7,007 Belgium — . 25,053 France . 654,644 . 631,523 Algeria . 9,814 . 56,649 Madagascar . 5,150 — Portugal . 47,841 . 63,388 Azores . 6,957 3,266 Madeira — 7,901 Spain . 84,261 . 138,625 Canary Islands . 15,308 . 30,495 Italy . 198,143 . 561,036 Austria-Hungary — . 13,881 Greece . 17,767 . 37,944 Bulgaria — . 12,070 Roumania — . 40,653 Turkey (European) — 6,115 „ (Asiatic) — . 46,123 Tunis . 2,770 . 14,426 Chili — . 28,557 Brazil . 13,614 . 103,996 Uruguay . 4,533 . 26,412 Argentine Republic . 63,906 . 246,280 Channel Islands . 3,621 7,215 Gibraltar . 4,974 . 22,142 Malta and Gozo 2,853 . 30,767 Egypt . 75,882 . 156,452 Anglo-Egyptian Sudan — 5,906 Aden and Dependencies . 10,306 . 11,156 British India 5,806 5,010 Ceylon and Dependencies... . 6,740 . 27,141 Canada — 8,218 French West Africa . 6,795 7,892 The following table shows the exports for the first six months of the year, with the increase or decrease respec- tively compared with the corresponding period of 1914: — Six months, ended June. Increase. Decrease. Tons. Tons. Tons. Russia ............ 4,704 ... — ... 203,633 Sweden .......... 46,969 ... — ... 44,223 Norway .......... 55,013 ... — ... 22,081 Denmark.......... 18,548 ... — ... 1,969 Germany.......... — ... ,— ... 135,982 Netherlands ...... 14,215 ... t— ... 39,475 Java.............. 6,550 ... 319 ... — Other Dutch posses- sions ............ — ... — ... 16,320 Belgium .......... — ... — ... 188,907 France............ 4,458,350 ...733,214 ... — Algeria .......... 258,028 ... — ... 164,581 French Somaliland... 20,628 ... — ... 12,607 Madagascar........ 5,398 ... — ... 3,465 Reunion (Bourbon).. — ... — ... 5,498 Portugal .......... 340,241 ... — ... 57,868 Azores ............ 17,702 ... 5,172 ... — Madeira .......... 36,452 ... — ... 6,265 Spain ............ 412,853 ... — ... 246,800 Canary Islands .... 134,850 ... — ... 154,551 Six months, ended June. Increase. Decrease. Tons. Tons. Tons. Italy ... 1,741,111 ... — 881,586 Italian East Africa 5,043 ... — 4,317 Austria-Hungary ... — — 108,157 Greece 139,215 ... — 57,704 Bulgaria — — 51,168 Roumania — ... — 128,445 Turkey — European 6,557 ... — 90,712 „ Asiatic ... — — 94,219 Tripoli — — 5,120 Tunis 64,320 ... — 20,111 Peru — — 12,667 Chile 35,042 ... — 144,611 Brazil 279,200 ... — 339,171 Uruguay 156,880 ... — 184,992 Argentine Republic.. 775,436 ... — 853,230 Channel Islands 20,619 ... — 13,496 Gibraltar 113,889 ... — 5,586 Malta and Gozo 76,815 ... — 15,016 Egypt : 395,176 ... — . . 720,136 Cape of Good Hope 3,617 ... .— 19,229 Anglo - Egyptian Sudan 9,189 ... — 17,094 Mauritius and De- pendencies 8,813 ... — 3,641 Aden and Dependen- cies 88,746 ... 3,187 ... — British India 8,106 ... — 76,009 Straits Settlements 1,286 ... — 15,321 Ceylon and Depen- dencies 29,429 ... — 133,253 Hong Kong — — 10,366 Bermudas — — 10,530 British West India Islands 2,573 ... — 8,113 W est Africa—British 32,691 ... — 29,672 „ French 90,780 ... 40,578 ... — „ Portuguese 70,551 ... 9,510 ... — With regard to prices, the market has again been irregular, with a decided tendency towards easiness. Best and superior second Admiralties are still retained by the Government, and are not quoted on the market. For ordinary qualities, however, the price ranges between 24s. and 25s., with a slight reduction for inferior grades. There has been a corresponding decline in Monmouthshire coals, chiefly owing to restrictions with regard to shipment, and stocks a few days ago were accumulating to such an extent that it was feared stoppages must ensue. Best Black Veins are about 23s. 6d. to 23s. 9d., western-valleys 22s. 3d. to 22s. 9d. and easterns 21s. 9d. to 22s. 3d. Washed coals maintain their firmness, and are even higher than ordinary large steams. In the small coal market there has been a considerable decline, almost amounting to a slump, and substantial concessions have been made in certain instances in order to clear wagons. In one case a colliery was asking 14s. 6d. for cargo qualities, but the prospective buyer refused to entertain the offer, and subsequently bought the same coal from a middleman at a fraction below 11s. In such circumstances as these, it becomes difficult to gauge the market, and each transaction is looked upon as a matter of individual bargaining. Best bunkers are 20s. to 20s. 6d., ordinary qualities about 20s., and cargo sorts Ils. to 12s. per ton. In consequence of the Government regulations, it is anticipated that a substantial reduction will be made in the price of house coals. The retailers have already announced to the public that from the end of the month a concession of 5s. to 7s. a ton will be made, but up to the time of writing no announcement had been made by the colliery owners as to what course they intended to adopt. For best households the quotation has remained for some months at 30s. at pit head, but it is believed that this will be reduced to 25s. as and from the 1st of September. Other bituminous coals are a slow sale. No. 3 Rhondda large is 27s., through 25s., and small 23s. No 2 large does not command more than 19s. to 20s., and through and small qualities are 17s. to 18s. and 16s. 6d. respectively. Coke is practically unaltered, although producers have well-filled order books, chiefly for consumption in the Midlands. Prices of patent fuel are rather easier in sympathy with the decline in small coal, best grades offering at 34s. 6d. and second qualities about 2s. 6d. less. It is reported that about 30,000 tons of fuel for the French Railways has been placed with the Arrow Company. The price has not been disclosed, but it is believed to be about 27s. per ton. Shipments last week amounted to over 38,000 tons, of which Swansea dispatched 20,865 tons and the Crown Company 9,720 tons. Of the latter shipment, one cargo destined for Pernambuco has been lost, the s.s. “ Gladiator,” in which it was being con- veyed, having been torpedoed by a German submarine. Pitwood remains steady, ordinary lengths being offered at 24s. 6d. to 25s. 6d. per ton. IRON. There was an improvement in the shipment of tin-plates last week, but receipts from works were still about 10,000 boxes in excess of exports. The latter amounted to 58,871 boxes, and there were received into stock 68,853 boxes, leaving a total on hand of 278,569 boxes, compared with 268,587 boxes in the preceding week, and 239,668 boxes a year ago. Prices are again about 3d. easier, Bessemer standard cokes being 18s. 3d., and oil sizes 18s. 9d. and 26s. 9d. respectively. Welsh bars are going well into con- sumption, and works are busy owing to the extra demand for munition purposes. The quotation, however, remains at £7 5s. for both Siemens and Bessemer qualities. In the galvanised sheet trade there is still a great lack of new business, and a partial closing down is anticipated in some districts. A further reduction has taken place in quotations, and 24-gauge corrugateds are now offering at <£17 to .£17 5s., or <£1 to 25s. lower than a week ago. Welsh pig iron is not quite so firm, owing to a temporary lull in the demand, but the quotation remains at 105s. to 107s. 6d. delivered. Rail mills are busy, and there is a steady demand for constructional steel. Spelter is <£64 per ton, with a substantial reduction for future business. In scrap metals there is little activity. Heavy wrought is 75s., steel 74s., cast 60s., light wrought 40s., double-headed steel rails 80s., double-headed iron ditto 80s., and mixed sections 70s. per ton. Swansea. COAL. Extreme dulness characterised the trade of the port last week. The tippers’ dispute not having been settled, in conjunction with the Government restrictions, there was but little doingHn the coal and patent fuel trades, the shipments together amounting to 65,105 tons. A capital attendance assembled on ’Change, and the anthracite coal market continued to display a very strong tone. Swansea Valley large was exceptionally firm, whilst Red Vein large was also a firm market. Machine-made nuts and cobbles were practically unobtainable even at the high prices now ruling. Rubbly culm and duff remained steady at last figures. In the steam coal market there was an easier feeling in evidence, dry large being, however, strong. Prices are all net f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Current L’st week’s Last year’s Anthracite:— prices. prices. prices. Best malting large (hand picked) 28/ -30/ 28/ -30/ — Secondary do. 26/ -28/ 26/ -28/ — Big Vein large 28/ -30/ 28/ -30/ — Red Vein large 23/ -25/ 23/ -25/ — Machine - made cobbles 34/6-40/ 34/6-40/ — Paris nuts i — — — French do 38/ -42/ 38/ -42/ — Stove do 38/ -40/ 38/ -40/ — Beans 26/6-30/ 26/ -30/ — Machine - made large peas , 18/6-19/6 18/6-19/6 — Do. fine peas 1 — — — Rubbly culm | 12/ -12/6 12/ -12/6 — Duff 6/6- 7/6 6/6- 7/6 — Steam coals:— . Best large | 26/6-28/ 26/6-28/ — Seconds ; 23/6-25/ 23/6-25/6 — Bunkers 1 20/ -21/6 20/ -21/ — Small 14/ -16/ 14/ -16/ — Bituminous coals :— ; No. 3 Rhondda— Large ! 26/6-30/ 26/6-30/ — ' Thro’-and-thro’ — — — Small 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ — Patent fuel 31/ -32/ 31/ -32/ — IRON. The various trades in the district for the past week were in an active condition. There was a large production of pig iron at the blastfurnaces, all were actively engaged. Progress was shown at the various steel works, there being a large production of steel bars. The tin-plate trade was fairly good, there was a slight increase in the production at the Duffryn, Worcester and Forest works. The shipments of tin-plates were 58,871 boxes, receipts from works 68,853 boxes, and stocks in the dock warehouses and vans 278,569 boxes. The various manufacturing departments at the Mannesmann Tube Works displayed all-round activity, and excellent work was done at the metal-extraction works. Llanelly. COAL. The position in the coal trade of the district is very similar to what it has been for the past week or two. For most coals the demand is still very heavy, and colliery order books are very full, and have sufficient to take the make for the next few weeks, even if no further orders are received. There are, however, many difficulties just now, and although prices are so very favourable for most kinds, trade on the whole is most difficult to negotiate. For the anthracite kinds licences have been coming along fairly well, but as tonnage is not easily procurable, a great deal of inconvenience is being experienced in this respect. For steam and bituminous kinds, however, the Govern- ment appears to be most particular in the quantity of coal allowed for shipment, and very often they will not allow a steamer to take more than a part of the quantity for her own requirements. This, of course, means that a large quantity of surplus coal is being placed on the market at prices which are many shillings per ton less than they were a few weeks ago. The anthracite colliery people should be doing fairly well, as there seems to be practically no limit to the prices they receive. Not many weeks back they were selling machine-made nuts at 24s. to 26s. f.o.b.; now they can obtain easily 40s. f.o.b. Practically every quality of anthracite is in big demand, and the higher prices are being fully maintained. Bunkers and cargo steams are not doing at all well, and sellers have to make big sacrifices to have wagons released. This week’s quotations approximately are:— Prices f.o.b. Current Anthracite:— prices. Best malting large .... 27/ -29/ Secondary do........ 26/ -28/ Big Vein large........ 28/ -32/ Red Vein do......... 23/ -25/ Machine-made cobbles... 35/ -40/ German nuts......... 38/ -40/ French do........... 39/ -41/ Paris do........... 38/ -40/ Machine-made beans ... 26/ -29/ Do. peas.... 18/ —19/6 Culm ............... 12/ -12/6 Duff.................: 6/6— 7/6 Other sorts:— i Large steam coal..... 27/ -29/ Through-and-through... 17/6-18/6 Small ............... 14/ —16/ Bituminous small coal... 19/ -21/ L’st week’s prices. 27/ -29/ 26/ -28/ 28/ -32/ 23/ -25/ 35/ -40/ 38/ -40/ ' 39/ -41/ , 38/ -40/ : 26/ -29/ ! 18/ -19/6 12/ -12/6 6/6— 7/6 Last year’s prices. 21/ -23/ 19/ -21/ 16/ -18/ 13/6-14/6 20/ -22/ 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ 21/ -23/ 20/ -22/ 13/6-14/6 6/ - 6/3 3/9- 5/6 27/ -29/ 16/ -18/ 20/ -22/ 11/ -11/6 14/ -16/ 8/6- 9/6 19/ -21/ 11/ -11/6 _________________________________ Messrs. United Water Softeners Limited, of London, informs us that they have received hundreds of orders for water softening and purifying plant—large and small— during the past few months, and large installations have been supplied to the War Office and Admiralty; Messrs. Babcock and Wilcox Limited, London; The Coventry Ordnance Company Limited, Coventry; Messrs. Kynochs Limited. Birmingham; Messrs. Guest, Keen and Nettlefold Limited, Smethwick; The Albion Drop Forging Company Limited, Coventry; Messrs. Manlove, Alliott and Company Limited, Nottingham; the Chislet Colliery Company Limited, Canterbury; Perchlorate Safety Explosives Company Limited, Dartford; the Pelabon Munitions, Richmond; etc.