994

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

November 12, 1915.

LABOUR AND WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

The Conciliation Board met on Wednesday to consider a
demand from the employers for 5 per cent, reduction in
wages. Objection to 'any change was made by the miners’
representatives on the ground that their latest advance of
12per cent, was really less than they were entitled to, and
that the average price of coal had fallen to 21s. 7d., a reduc-
tion of only 10’35d. per ton; and as the two sides could not
agree, the question is referred to the independent chairman.
The coal owners seek reduction of 5 per cent., and hold
that it is justified by the decrease in average selling prices
and also decrease of trade. In both respects they have a
strong case. It is as recently as September 10 that the
previous alteration of the wage rate took place, the workmen
on that occasion being awarded by the independent chairman
an advance of 12| per cent, as from August 21. It has to
be borne in mind that the present percentage represents a
much higher sum than the old percentages, this being due
to the fact that the standard of 1915, upon which percentages
are now calculated, is 50 per cent, higher than the old
standard of 1879, upon which calculation was made until
the strike of this year. Consequently, the rise of 12| per
cent, granted the men in September was equal to 18| per
cent, on the old standard, whilst -the present demand for
5 per cent, reduction on the present standard is equal to
7J per cent, on the old.

Mr. Vernon Hartshorn has published a statement calling
for improvement in the position of the colliery craftsmen in
South Wales, and after describing the rates that prevail, he
states that a minimum ought to be established for each
grade of craftsmen of at least 6s. 6d. to 7s. per day. In
the case of one colliery, his calculation is that the altera-
tion which he suggests would cost the company less than
O’ld. per ton on the output. Compared with the rates paid
to other colliery workmen, the craftsmen, who are trained
men, are, he states, worse off than a raw youth off a farm.
If coal owners refuse “ to meet the just demands of these
men, they will precipitate another crisis in the South Wales
coal field ” ; and he asserts “ We are on the verge of further
serious trouble.”

The Rhondda district of miners have resolved to tender
14 days’ notice, as a protest against the employment of
non-unionists. Certain lodges which have already taken
successful action in regard to this matter will not, it is
said, give notice provided they can arrange with the manage-
ment not to employ non-unionists while the campaign is
in progress. Both at Abercynon and at Great Western,
notices have already been put in, these also being in protest
against non-unionists.

A special meeting of the Rhondda miners was held at
Porth, attended by Mr. W. Abraham, M.P. (Mabon), and
Mr. Tom Richards, M.P. (secretary of the Federation), with
others, the chief matter for discussion being the proposal
of the owners to remove the checkweigher at the Standard
Colliery, Ynyshir. Mr. D. J. Pugh presided; and the
official report stated that the district strongly resented the
action of the owners’ association in trying to secure the
man’s removal. Under normal circumstances, it was said,
the workmen would cease work as a protest, but were
desirous of doing all possible to reach a settlement, and
therefore asked the council to approach the owners and take
all steps necessary to settle. Failing this, a coal field council
should be called “ to deal with the protection of check-
weighers in general.”

The committee appointed by -the South Wales Conciliation
Board to settle disputes under the new agreement met at
Cardiff last week. Several small disputes were dealt with.
The Emergency Committee for dealing with disputes under
clause 5 failed to agree on the question of bonus turn for
piece work timbermen, and will therefore have to report to
the Conciliation Board in 10 days’ time from the date of
the meeting.

North of England.

At a meeting of the Durham Coal Trade Conciliation Board
at Newcastle last week, the county miners were conceded an
advance of 11J per cent., including the 5 per cent, balance
remaining from the war bonus recently awarded. This
increase means an actual advance of 6| per cent., bringing
the wages up to 75 per cent, above the basis of 1879. At the
same meeting Sir David Harrell was re-appointed umpire.

The following are amongst the motions to be considered
by the half-yearly council meeting of the Northumberland
Miners’ Association, commencing on the 20th inst. :—” That
we seek for a higher basis wage for all workmen with basis
wages as low as 3s. per shift, so that, if possible, no basis
wages be lower than datal stonemen’s basis wage.”—“ That
a new basis agreement for datal hands be established, and
copies sent to each branch.”—“ That the horsekeepers’ basis
wage be advanced from 2s. 9Jd. to 3s. 6d. per day.”—“ That
we seek to have the basis wage of all underground boys raised
6d. per day.”—“ That the county ramble scale be altered to
read : ‘ Under 3 in. in thickness, Id. per ton, and Jd. per ton
for every additional 3 in. in thickness.’ ”—“ That we request
the colliery owners to substitute a one shift of coal getting
system in place of the present system.”—“ That our asso-
ciation negotiate with other separate trade unions in and
about the mines of Northumberland with the object of
securing an amalgamation of all these unions; any proposed
conditions to be reported to a future conference for approval.”

Federated Area.

Lord Coleridge, the independent chairman, has fixed the
meeting of the Coal Conciliation Board for England and
North Wales, to decide the men’s application for -a 5 per
cent, advance in wages, for to-day. The point which his
lordship has to decide is whether the coal owners of the
Federated Area have recouped themselves under the follow-
ing clause in the new wage agreement, “ Until under the
regulation of the Conciliation Board it shall be decided by
the Board that the owners have recouped the 15| per cent,
advance, (war bonus) referred to in clause 1, no further
application for an advance in wages shall be made until
selling prices and other circumstances which the Conciliation
Board is entitled to consider shall have justified the above
stated 15£ per cent, advance.”

A peaceful settlement of the fork and shovel dispute
between the men and the management of the Brodsworth
Colliery Company seems probable. The 14 days’ notices
should have expired on Saturday last, but the company
agreed to extend them another fortnight so as to give more
time for negotiation.

Scotland.

A meeting of the Scottish Coal Trade Conciliation Board
was held on Monday at Glasgow, to consider a claim by the
miners for an increase in wages of 18| per cent, on the
1888 basis. This would represent an advance of 9d. per day.
Three increases have been granted to mine workers since
May, bringing the present rate of wages up to about 8s. 6d.
per day in most districts. The Conciliation Board considered
the application at a meeting on October 5, when they f ailed
to agree. The parties again failed to agree on Monday, and
it was decided to refer the application to a further meeting
of the Board sitting under a neutral chairman. Sir George
Askwith, Chief Industrial Commissioner, is to be asked to
act as neutral chairman, and the meeting will take place on
the 22nd or 23rd inst.

Sheriff Umpherston has issued a written judgment
deciding an important point raised in a test case in con-
nection with the recent dispute at the Blairhall Colliery of
the Coltness Iron and Coal Company Limited, relative to the
method of deduction for foreign material. In this case, Chas.
Luke, check weigher at the colliery, sought to recover from
John Yates, miner, Newmills, a sum of 19s., representing
checkweigher’s dues from February to September. In March
Luke came to the conclusion that, owing to the system of
deductions then in force, he was of no use at the colliery,
and accordingly Jie resigned his position, and posted a
notice at the colliery to that effect. The Sheriff has granted
the defender absolvitor, with expenses. In his note, his
lordship said the defender objected to pay on the main
ground that between March 5 and 17 Luke had absented
himself from work, and had put up a notice to the effect that
he would return when the system of making deductions from
the coal had been altered. He therefore pleaded that the
pursuer was in breach of his contract, and was not entitled
to resume the position of checkweighman without being
balloted for in terms of the Coal Mines Regulations, and was
not entitled to sue. His lordship thought the plea well
founded. The pursuer was in breach of contract of employ-
ment by absenting himself from work at first without the
intention of returning, and without reasonable excuse, and
during the whole of that period from March 5 to 17 there
was no one available to take his place, and the work was not
done. For the pursuer, however, it was contended that the
office of checkweighman was a statutory one, and a check-
weighman could only be appointed by the manner provided
by the statute, and could only be removed in the way the
Act of Parliament had provided. For the checkweighman, it
was contended that, having been appointed, he only ceased
to be checkweighman by death, or accepted resignation, or
by removal from office. His lordship, however, pointed out
that Luke was a servant, and left the services of the com-
pany without notice, and without any intention of return-
ing. That was, therefore, a breach of agreement, and the
defender was entitled to treat it as such.

Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades.

The South Wales Siemens Steel Association and the Steel
Smelters’ Union have held a joint conference regarding
Saturday afternoon and Sunday work to facilitate the output
of steel. The men asked for time-and-a-half for week ends
and double-time payments for Sunday, but eventually agreed
to put in from 2 till 10 o’clock on Saturdays, and from mid-
night Sunday until 6 a.m. Monday for time-and-a-half. The
question of Sunday work was deferred.

Miners’ Federation of Great Britain.

A special meeting of the executive of the Miners’
Federation of Great Britain was begun in London on
Wednesday. Mr. Robert Smillie, Scotland (president) was
in the chair. The meeting was called to consider the
matters remitted from the annual conference of the
Federation at Nottingham, more particularly with reference
to the amendment of the Workmen’s Compensation Act.
It was decided to ask Sir John Simon to receive a deputation
from the executive with reference to a further extension of
the diseases scheduled under the Act for which compensation
is paid. It is contended that this can be done by an Order
of the Home Secretary under the existing Act. It is realised
that the important amendments asked for in the Act with
reference to compensation for the loss of an eye or limb, and
compensation to parents on the death from accident of a
son, in cases where they are not actually dependent on the
son’s earnings, which will necessitate the passing of an
amending Act, must wait until after the termination of the
war. This is also the case with reference to amendments
of the Eight Hours Act, by its proposed extension to surface
workers, and the Minimum Wage Act.

The officials of the Federation, who were appointed by the
recent annual conference at Nottingham to meet the
Somerset coal owners with the representatives of the miners,
with reference to a new wage agreement, reported that the
joint meeting had been held at Taunton, and had resulted
in a failure to come to any agreement. The Somerset
miners asked for a new wage agreement increased by 50 per
cent., with a minimum wage 10 per cent, below that in the
English Conciliation Board area. The coal owners declined
to agree to these terms, which are on similar lines to those
followed in the Somerset coal field for some years. The
executive unanimously passed the following resolution :—
“ That the report of the official in connection with the
threatened wages dispute in the Radstock district of Somerset
be accepted, and the Somerset miners be advised to leave
the matter in the hands of the officials of the Miners’
Federation, who will at once call the attention of the Board
of Trade to the matter, and fully explain to them the
dangers attendant upon the attempt of the owners to disturb
the status quo in connection with the wages question. In
the meantime, the Somerset Miners’ Association be
instructed to apply to the coal owners for any increase of
wages that may be awarded by the English Conciliation
Board on the Jines of their old agreement, and the result
of their -application be -at once reported to the Miners’
Federation.”

It was reported that a considerable amount of friction
existed in several important mining districts in connection
with the non-union question. Most of the friction arose
from the fact that outside labour was being introduced into
the mine to take the place of those miners who had enlisted
and gone to the front. The chairman reported that this
matter had been the subject of consideration at the meeting
of the Coal Organisation Committee on the previous day, and
that steps were likely to be taken with a view of obviating
any necessity for stoppages at collieries in connection with
the matter.

The meeting was concluded on the following day. A con-
ference has been arranged with Lord Derby for Wednesday
next.. It is understood that Lord Derby wishes to discuss the
question of recruiting in mining districts and the country’s
requirements for coal with the executive. The paragraph in

the recent official notice relating to miners joining the Army
and still continuing to work in the pits will also be discussed.

A letter was received from the Home Office suggesting that
the Federation should consider the suspension of the Mines
(Eight Hours) Act, so far as it applies to fireclay mines. It
was agreed to write to the various districts in which fireclay
mines are situate, asking for the fullest information as to
how the matter stands. It was decided that a conference of
the Miners’ Federation should be convened to consider the
matter within the ensuing fortnight. The conference will be
held at Southport, probably on November 24.

Triple Trade Union Alliance.

A meeting of the sub-committee of the proposed triple
trade union alliance of miners, railwaymen, and transport
workers, was held on Wednesday, to receive and consider
the decision of the Miners’ Federation conference on the
proposed constitution of the alliance, and to make arrange-
ments for submitting the scheme to a joint conference of the
three executives. Mr. Robt. Smillie, Miners’ Federation,
presided, and reported that the Miners’ Federation con-
ference at Nottingham had endorsed the proposed scheme
for the alliance of the three unions for defensive and
offensive purposes, as already published, with the important
alteration that joint -action of the workers in the three
industries shall be taken only on the decision of two of the
three unions at a general conference, and not on the decision
of two of the three executives as originally proposed. The
sub-committee approved this alteration in the draft scheme,
believing that it strengthened the scheme, and made it more
workable. It was decided to call a general conference of
•the three executives to be held in London on December 9, to
consider and approve the scheme.

MINING AND OTHER NOTES.

An ordinary meeting of the Institution of Civil Engineers
will be held at the Institution, Great George-street, West-
minster, on Tuesday next, at 5.30 p.m. The following paper
by Sir John Benton will be read and discussed : “ The
Punjab Triple Canal System.”

Although the coal industry in the Russian Caucasus is as
yet only in its infancy, there is evidence that it is capable
of considerable development. The most important known
deposit is at Sosooze, in the Government of Kars. This
deposit covers an area of more than 300 square miles, and
the coal is reported to be of uniform quality and high grade.
Serious prospecting work was commenced as recently as last
year.

It is announced that the Sydney coal lumpers’ dispute
has been satisfactorily settled.

At the quarterly meeting of the general managers’ con-
ference -at the Railway Clearing House, London, Mr. Frank
Potter, general manager of the Great Western Railway, was
unanimously elected chairman of the conference for the
year 1916.

Mr. John William Fryar, of the Grange, Eastwood,
Nottinghamshire, ‘ and formerly of Mansfield, mining
engineer, general manager at Messrs. Barber, Walker, ana
Company’s Eastwood collieries, and who died on August 19,
aged 48 years, left property of the value of £34,364 Ils. lid.,
with net personalty, £30,750 Is. lOd.

In connection with a fatal accident which occurred at the
southern outfall owing to an explosion of sewer gas, the
London County Council has authorised certain experiments
with safety lamps, etc., and has sanctioned the organisation
of the staff for rescue work.

The Comite des Visites aux Blesses Beiges inform us that
amongst the Belgian wounded are many students and
technical workmen, who desire to follow up their studies, and
for this purpose want books on science and engineering,
chemistry, physical science, mathematics, mechanics,
electricity, and other sciences; also commercial study books,
technological works, etc. The Comitd appeal for gifts of
this kind, or for financial help to buy such books. All
parcels and letters should be addressed to Madame Carton
de Wiart, at the Library Department of this committee,
Sardinia House, Sardinia-street, Kingsway.

It has just been reported that coal has been discovered
on the island of Bornholm, which is not far from the coast
of Southern -Sweden, but which is a possession of Denmark.
It is probable that the presence of coal on this island has
been known for some time, but its commercial exploitation
has been retarded by the competition of other European
fields. Because of the war this competition has for the
time being lost its force, and two Danish geologists and a
Swedish mineral surveyor have proceeded to Bornholm to
look into the possibilities of the new field, with special
reference to marketing the fuel should it prove suitable for
railway and industrial use.

A meeting of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of
Arts, Manufacture and Commerce will be held at John-street,
Adelphi, W.C., on Wednesday next, when an address will
be delivered by Dr. Dugald Clerk on ‘‘ English and German
Methods Contrasted.”

OBITUARY.

Mr. W. Oliver Thomas, secretary for many years to the
Llangennech Collieries, owned by Messrs. Williams and
Sons, has passed away.

The death took place last week, at the age of 73, of
Mr. James Hamer, mines manager for Messrs. Kennedy
Brothers, at the Ronhead iron ore mines.

The death occurred at Dudley, on Monday, of Mr. John
Middleton, managing director of the firm of Pemberton
and Company, coal contractors, of that town. Deceased
was 45 years of age.

The death took place last Saturday, following an operation
in a Leeds nursing home, of Mr. John Jarratt, of Elmfield,
Doncaster. The deceased had in earlier life been manager
of collieries at Durham and near Barnsley. He was a
director of the Houghton Main and Womb well Main
collieries, and -also of the Dearne Valley Railway Company.
He was a trustee of the Potteries Carr Main Drainage Com-
mission.

The death of Mr. Dan Evans, formerly agent of the
Glamorgan Colliery, Llwynypia, has occurred, at the age
of 71. The late Mr. Evans was a mining engineer of much
ability, and he eventually became manager of the Penrhiwfer
Colliery, and afterwards manager and agent of the
Glamorgan Collieries, Llwynypia, under the Glamorgan
Coal Company, a position which he held for 40 years. On
the purchase of the Glamorgan Collieries by the Cambrian
Combine, about seven years ago, Mr. Evans retired.