November 26, 1915.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

1099

THE FREIGHT MARKET.

So far as concerns the outward freight market, the past
week has been a very remarkable one, by reason of the
extraordinary increases in rates of freight and the great
height, unsurpassed in the history of steam navigation, at
which those rates now stand. In consequence of the acute
shortage of boats, the volume of business transacted at the
Tyne during the week is poor, and very unsatisfactory to
shippers, who are eager to do business. In a good many
cases, too, collieries are looking for steamers. Several
vessels have been despatched coastwise, at rates based on
the unaltered figure of 14s. to London. Coke tonnage for
North France continues to be in demand, and increased
prices are being paid. For coal, Rouen has been fixed for
at advances of 2s. on last week’s figures, and Havre at
increases of from 6d. to 2s. 6d. The Bay market is very
strong, as is shown by the fact that Bordeaux has advanced
by from 7s. to 8s. 6d. since last week. This, it may be
noted, is considerably more than the actual cost of the
voyage, and at present constitutes only a fraction of the rate
charged. Mediterraneanwards, the only prompt fixture for
Genoa is at 50s., with full guarantees, but this is not
representative of the great strength of the market, and 55s.
is the ruling quotation for North Italian ports, where, it is
reported, congestion is rife. Naples is fully 5s. dearer, and
Port Said at 53s. 6d. shows that port to be considerably
advanced. For Algeria, Oran is from Is. to 4s. 3d. higher,
and Algiers has been done at a similar increase. At South
Wales, conditions as regards tonnage supplies do not differ
appreciably from those obtaining at the North-East Coast,
and here, also, boats are offered very sparingly, with the
result that rates have moved forward by leaps and bounds.
Shippers have been heard to remark, “ There must be a
limit,” but, judging by present events, that limit is yet far
from being attained. The enquiry for tonnage for North
France is heavy, and Havre or Rouen are higher by about
3s. Business for the Bay is very plentiful, but advances of
from 2 to 8 fr. have had to be paid for tonnage for
Bordeaux, whilst for St. Nazaire the increase is about 5fr.,
and for Nantes from 1 fr. to 3 fr. The Mediterranean has
been busy, although chartering for Italian ports has not been
done on so large a scale as has recently been the case.
Genoa, option Savona, Spezzia or Leghorn, ,is from 6d. to
2s. dearer, and Marseilles has paid up to 63 fr., an increase
of 8 fr. on the week. Port Said is from 4s. to 6s. advanced;
Barcelona Is. up; and Algiers from 2 to 8 fr. higher. The
River Plate is firm, and the Islands are about 2s. 6d. up.

In the homewards market, the dearth of tonnage is no
less pronounced. The River Plate particularly is suffering,
and business, though small, is on a firm basis. From the
lower ports, prompt tonnage is worth fully 85s. to United
Kingdom, and rather more is quoted for December-January
from up-river. The States’ market is strong for all trades,
and for heavy grain 18s. to 19s. is indicated for West Italy,
whilst the Bristol Channel is nominal at about 13s. Flour
to the French Atlantic has paid 82s. 6d., and oats tonnage is
worth 14s. West Italy, and about Is. less for French ports.
There is nothing doing in coals, despite the fact that 65s.
for voyages to West Italy has been offered. The timber
trade is busy, and 375s. per standard is said to have been
refused for Italy. The Eastern market is firmer.
Philippines have paid 157s. 6d. for coprah, and Saigon is
bidding up to lQ5s. for rice for France. Bombay is slightly
easier at about 75s. on d.w., but 90s. for Havre or Dunkirk
has had to be conceded on scale terms, and Kurrachee is
represented by 65s. to 70s. Other markets are quiet, but
correspondingly firmer.

Tyne to Alexandria, 7,000, 51s. 3d.; Aalborg, 2,000,
17s. 9d.; Algiers, 2,000, 37s. 6d.; Bona, 1,800, 48s. 6d.;
Boulogne, 1,750, 22s.; Bordeaux, 2,500, 37s.; 3,500, 37s.;
1,000, 38s. 6d.; Civita Vecchia, 2,500, 53s. 6d.; Cherbourg,
500, 29s., coke; Dunkirk, 700, 29s.-, coke; 700, 30s., coke;
East Norway, 600, 18s.; Genoa, 5,500, 50s., full guarantee;

1.200,	52s. 6d., Dec.; Havre, 1,000, 22s. 6d.; 1,400, 21s.;
1,000, 23s. 3d.; 1,500, 23s.; London, 1,450, 14s.; Marseilles,
1,000, 40s. 6d.; Naples, 2,500, 52s. 6d.; Oran, 2,500,
34s. 6d.; 3,000, 37s. 9d.; 800, 37s. 6d.; Port Said, 7,000,
53s. 6d., option 1,500 tons pitch, same rate; Porto Ferrajo,
6,000, 47s. 6d.; Palermo, 2,700, 52s. 6d.; Rouen, 2,100,
23s.; 1,800, 23s. fid.

Cardiff to Algiers, 2,000, 50fr., Dec.; 3,500, 50fr., 600;
2,000, 56 fr.; Brest, 850, 23s., coke; Bizerta, 4,000, 55 fr.,
1,200; Barcelona, 2,200, 39s.; Bordeaux, 1,150, 33 fr., 350;

2.500,	37 fr.; 2,500, 38 fr.; 2,000, 37 fr.; 3,300, 37 fr.;
2,000, 40 fr.; Civita Vecchia, 3,600, 52s.; Chantenay, 1,300,
31j fr.; Campana, 3,500-4,000, 38s., early Dec.; Cherbourg,

1.500,	20s.; 3,500, 40 fr.; 2,800, 40 fr.; Dunkirk, 900, 21s.;
Fecamp, 850, 23s., coke; Gibraltar, 1,600, 29s. 3d., 300;

2.200,	29s. 6d., 500; Granville, 550, 18s. 6d.; Genoa, 3,000,
50s., guaranteed terms; 3,600, 51s.; Havre, 650, 19s. 6d.;
1,350, 19s.; Leghorn, 3,000, 50s., guaranteed terms; 3,600,
51s.; Lisbon, 6,000, 26s., 500; 3,200, 27s., 500; 1,800, 28s.,
350, early Dec.; Las Palmas, 3,000, 30s.; 2,500, 30s.; Mar-
seilles, 2,000, 58 fr.; 2,500, 58| fr.; 2,100, 59 fr.; 4,200,
60 fr.; 1,600, 60 fr.. Dec,; 1,700, 63 fr.; 5,600, 65 fr.; 3,000,
63 fr.; Malaga, 1,350, 33s.; Madeira, 3,000, 30s.; 2,500,
30s.; Malta, 45s.; Nantes, 1,150, 32 fr., 350; Naples, 3,300,
50s., 800; 4,000, 49s., 800; Palermo, 3,200, 52s., 400,
Dec. 1-10; Port Said, 6,300, 50s., Dec.; 4,000, 55s.; Rosario,
3,500-4,000, 38s. 6d., early Dec.; River Plate, 3,000, 37s. 6d.;
4,400, 39s. 3d.; Rio de Janeiro, 4,400, 41s. 6d., Dec. 1;
42s. 6d.; Rouen, 1,600, 21s. coal, 21s. 9d. fuel; 2,650,
20s. 3d.; 1,350, 21s.; 1,250, 20s. 6d.; 700, 22s. fid.; 850,
24s. 6d., coke; Sicily, 3,600, 53s.; Santos, 42s. fid.; St.
Nazaire, 1,650, 32 fr.; 3,600, 36 fr.; 1,750, 35 fr.; Savona,
3,000, 50s., guaranteed terms; 3,600, 51s.; Spezzia, 3,000,
50s., guaranteed terms; 3,600, 51s.; Tarragona, 1,300,
34s. 6d.; Teneriffe, 3,000, 30s.; Villa Constitucion, 3,500-
4,000, 38s., early Dec.; Vigo, 1,500, 27s.

Swansea to Rotterdam, 1,100, 20s., tin-plates; Genoa,
Savona, Spezzia, or Leghorn, 3,300, 49s. 6d.; Dieppe, 2,800,
18s. coal, 18s. 9d. fuel; Rouen, 1,200, 20s. 6d.; 20s.; 1,500,
21s. fid.; Honfleur, 970, 20s.; Marseilles, 2,100, 59 fr.;
1,800, 63 fr.; St. Brieux, 520, 20s. coal, 20s. 9d. fuel;
Marans, 850, 331 fr. coal, 34J fr. fuel; Alicante, 950,.
34s. 6d.; Oran, 1,500, 54 fr. coal, 55 fr. fuel; Havre, 650,
20s.; Bordeaux, 1,800, 40 fr.

Newport River to Bona, 48 fr., fuel.

Newport to St. Nazaire, 2,100, 31 fr.; 1,750, 35 fr.;
Malaga, 1,300, 33s.; Gibraltar, 2,200, 29s. 6d., 500; Las
Palmas, 21s.; Buenos Ayres, 4,000, 39s., end Nov.; Vigo,

1,500,	27s.; Marseilles, 2,100, 59 fr.; 1,600, 60 fr., Dec.;
2,000, 63 fr.; Rouen, 1,300, 21s.; Vigo, 1,500, 27s.

Wales to Rouen, 20s., Dec.

Ayr to Bayonne, 1,400, 38 fr.

Blyth to Caen, 800, 22s.; Havre, 500, 22s. 6d.; East
Norway, 600, 18s.

Wear to Bordeaux, 2,400 , 31s. 6d.; 2,100 , 35s.; 2,000,
37s.; Dieppe, 1,750, 22s.; Havre, 1,300, 21s. fid.

Glasgow to Leghorn, 50s., guaranteed terms; Bordeaux,
38 fr.

Hartlepool to Dunkirk, 2,800, 22s.; Rouen, 2,000 , 21s.;
Bordeaux, 1,600, 32s. 6d.; 1,800, 35s.

Methil to Rouen, 1,800, 24s.

Port Talbot to Dunkirk, 900, 21s.; Huelva, 2,500, 28s.,
Nov.; Marseilles, 2,100, 59 fr.; Genoa, Savona, Spezzia, or
Leghorn, 2,750, 51s.; Rouen, 750, 22s. 6d.

Goole to Fecamp, Dieppe, or Boulogne, 650, 23s. fid.

Hull to Genoa or Savona, 4,300, 48s. 6d.; 49s.; Calais or
Boulogne, 850, 22s. fid.; London, 870, 13s. 6d.; Calais,
Fecamp, or Treport, 980, 22s. 6d.; Rouen, 1,750, 23s. 6d.;
500, 30s., coke; Dunkirk, 250, 27s., coke; 250, 28s., coke.

Immingham to Calais, Fecamp, or Treport, 980, 22s. 6d.

LABOUR AND WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Representatives of the employers met officials of the
Enginemen, Stokers, and Craftsmen’s Association at a joint
committee sitting in Cardiff on Friday. It was agreed that
a standard rate of 5s. 6d. to 5s. 9d. should be paid to main
hauling enginemen employed underground and on the
surface; a standard rate of 5s. 3d. to 5s. lOd. should be paid
to smiths; that the underground and surface fitters,
carpenters, and leading sawyers, should have a standard
from 5s. 3d. to 5s. lOd. also; these standards to be called
the 1915 standard, but none of the rates to be applicable to
apprentices. It was further agreed that in cases where
workmen had been paid an extra turn or turns without
working overtime, these shall be merged in the new
standard rates; ‘but in cases where the wages obtained by
such turn or turns proved to be higher than the approved
standard rates allowed, no reduction should take place. The
new agreement takes effect as from Monday, November 22.

Because of a checkweigher turning back men from work,
positive action was initiated against that development of
the “ show cards ” practice; but the dispute in the Rhondda
which arose out of that interference has now been settled.
The case will not come before the court, an understanding
having been arrived at that in future checkweighers will
not take upon themselves the responsibility on show-card
days of sending home men who are either non-unionists or
not in compliance.

Miners of the anthracite coal field met at Swansea on
Saturday, Mr. W. Walters, J.P., Abercrave, presiding.
Regarding the presence of a large number of non-unionists
in the Amman Valley, it was declared that “ unfaithful ”
members should not be allowed to shelter themselves behind
conditions due to the war; and, further, the men in the
Ammanford district were given permission to tender notices
at the earliest legal opportunity. This will affect some
3,000 men. Dissatisfaction was expressed that check-
weighers were not amongst the starred workers, and it was
decided to call the attention of the Federation to the
matter. With reference to work on Sunday night, it was
resolved that each lodge should act in this matter in accord-
ance with the policy of the coal field.

At Abergorki collieries, Treorky, 2,000 men tendered
notices last week on the non-unionist question, these to take
effect on the 27th., but as the number outside the Federation
was materially reduced during the following days, there is
reason to hope that the notices will not take effect

The official report of a meeting of the Avon Valley district
of miners held at Port Talbot on Saturday, stated that
several appeals for assistance had been received from
collieries which were working short time. The owners had
notified the men that the shipping shortage was the cause,
resulting in a shortage of trucks. The agent, Mr. W.
Jenkins, J.P., reported that an application for out-of-work
pay on behalf of the men affected had been refused by the
executive on a vote, on the ground that it was contrary to
rule; but notice had been given to amend the scheme so as
to include such cases as those referred to. It was decided
to again appeal to the executive, pointing out that the
depression was the result of scarcity of shipping due to
the war.

Mr. Morgan Dyer, Pontypridd, presided over the meeting
of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Colliery Examiners’
Association, held at Cardiff on Saturday. The two matters
to come before the meeting were the question of recognition
of the association by the owners, and that of a war bonus.
In regard to the latter, it was stated that the owners had
responded handsomely; and, in regard to the recognition,
negotiations were proceeding, a resolution being passed sug-
gesting that a deputation should wait on the owners. Should
the result of the negotiations be unsatisfactory, a further con-
ference will be called to decide future action.

It was reported by the miners’ agent for Caerphilly dis-
trict, during a meeting on Monday, that the colliers at
Penallta complained of inadequate clearance; that though
they were urged to turn out the largest possible amount of
coal, they did not get a sufficient supply of trams. In the
same colliery a question had arisen as to whether a man was
a stoker or a labourer. The manager, it was stated, had
declined to pay the 5s. fid. standard rate for stokers, on the
ground that, as mechanical stokers were used, the men
hitherto designated as stokers were now held to be labourers.
The question has been referred to the Conciliation Board for
decision. Another question at the same colliery was as to
whether men employed in the locomotive department could
come under the Conciliation Board agreement; and inasmuch
as the workmen’s claim in this respect had not been accepted,
the Federation executive is asked to institute proceedings to
ensure that those men should be included in the agreement.
The contention of the miners’ agent is that, as these men are
employed in and about the colliery, and as they are members
of the Federation, they are entitled to the benefits under the
agreement.

The Pontypridd district of miners had reports submitted at
their monthly meeting on Monday, showing that several
collieries were now clear on the non-unionist difficulty; and
that, at others, notice had been suspended for a fortnight,
because of the expectation that the whole of the men would
come into compliance in that interval. Some of the non-
unionists, it was stated, who were eligible for the Army, had
refused to join the Federation because they would have to
pay the Hl entrance fee, and might afterwards be called up.

Mr. W. Abraham, M.P., who addressed the Rhondda
miners’ district meeting, suggested that an arrangement
might be arrived at by employers and workmen on the non-
unionist question similar to that which prevails in Yorkshire,
and that those stoppages might be avoided.

Preparations are being made by the Anthracite Miners*
Association for the hearing in the second week of December

of the arbitration on the question of the “ lost 5 per cent.”
under the new award. The arbitrator is Sir Laurence
Gomme.

North of England.

Various resolutions on the agenda of the half-yearly
council meeting of the Northumberland Miners’ Association
were dealt with at the sessions on Saturday and Monday
last, at the Burt Hall, Newcastle, as follow :—The proposal
of Walker lodge “ that we seek 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 data! stonemen’s
basis wage,” was carried by 44 votes to 4. A motion from
Algernon branch asking for a new basis agreement for datal
hands was withdrawn.—On the motion of Broom hill lodge,
it was decided that the association seek an increase in the
basis wage of horsekeepers from 2s. 9Jd. to 3s. 6d. per day.
—A recommendation from the Preston branch that the
association should take steps to have the basis wage of all
boys employed underground raised 6d. per day was carried
by 48 votes to 6.—The Ashington lodge suggested that the
colliery owners be requested to substitute a one-shift system
of coal getting, in place of the present system, but the
proposal was defeated by 41 votes to 7.—The meeting was
unanimously in favour of the following resolution, moved by
Seghill :—“ That we strongly protest against colliery owners
seeking for local reductions during the present national
crisis, and that the council meeting take the question into
consideration to try to find means whereby a stop shall be
put to such unpatriotic proceedings.”—At Tuesday’s session
it was resolved to ask the owners to alter the county ramble
scale to read as follows :—‘‘ Under 3 in. in thickness, |d.
per ton; at 3 in., Id. per ton; and Id. per ton for every
additional 3 in. in thickness. At the present time, no
allowance is made for clearing away ramble less than
3in. in thickness.—It was unanimously decided “ that
our Association negotiates with other trades unions
with members working in and about the mines of
Northumberland, with the object of securing an amalgama-
tion of all these unions; any proposed conditions to be
reported to a future conference for approval.”

Federated Area.

An important point affecting the whole mining industry
has cropped up in the Kentish coal field. The Kentish
Association are complaining that miners residing in Dover
are being compelled to pay tax on the coal they receive as
part wages. The matter is considered of such importance
that the Federation executive have decided to take counsel’s
opinion.

A joint manifesto has been issued by the secretaries of the
South Staffordshire and East Worcestershire miners’ associa-
tions. The manifesto announces that the quarterly change
of medal will take place on December 1, and that it is
within the knowledge of the officials that there are still
men employed in and about the mines who are shirking their
responsibilities by not paying to their trade union, but who
never refuse the benefits secured through trade union efforts.
It is pointed out that while the associations are anxious
to keep the collieries working full time in this period of
national urgency, the members are determined not to work
with non-unionists, and that if all men are not wearing the
new badge on December 1, notices will be handed in as a
protest against non-union men, and members will be advised
not to ride up or down the pits with those who are outside
the union.

Scotland.

A good deal of broken time is reported from a number
of collieries in Scotland, and this has led to a strong feeling
in Lanarkshire to revert to the five days per week policy.
The agents are urging the men not to take such a step until
a further trial is given to the national working agreement.

A meeting of the Scottish Coal Trade Conciliation Board
was held on Monday in Glasgow, to consider the claim
by the miners for an increase in wages of 18| per cent, on
the basis rate of 1888. At Monday’s meeting, Sir George
Askwith attended as neutral chairman, and at the close
stated that he would endeavour to give his decision in the
course of this week.

Delegates from 20 colliery districts of Mid and East
Lothian met in conference at Dalkeith on Saturday, under
the chairmanship of Mr. Andrew Clarke, Niddrie collieries.
Reports were to the effect that the demand for coal con-
tinued unabated, and the miners were obtaining from 10
to 11 days’ work per fortnight. The railways were affording
very considerably improved facilities for the despatch of
orders, and the shipping trade was also getting away pretty
freely. The miners’ secretary reported that a disagreement
had arisen at the Prestonkirks Colliery, East Lothian,
owing to a number of the men having been allowed to work
on days when the manager had posted a notice intimating
that the pit was to be idle, and also on account of certain
of the miners being employed on the recognised fortnightly
idle Saturday. Mr. Brown reported that he had com-
municated with the manager of the colliery in question, and
was awaiting his reply.

The council of the Northumberland Miners’ Association
has decided to give the members an opportunity of rescinding
their decision refusing to support the proposal to levy them-
selves in aid of the provision of motor ambulance convoys.

Mr. Asquith, replying on Thursday to a question by Sir
E. Cornwall, as to conferences in Vienna on future economic
relations between the Central Powers, and as to preparation
on the part of the Entente Powers for after-war economic
conditions, stated that these questions were engaging the
careful consideration of the Government, but he was not yet
in a position to make any statement on the subject.

Several claims of interest to miners were dealt with by
Mr. G. G. Alexander, sitting as Deputy Judge at the
Barnsley County Court, on Wednesday. Five miners sued
the Carlton Main Colliery Company Limited to recover
sums varying from 7s. 5d. to £2 3s. 8d. for work done.
The claim was in respect of emptying dirt, and it was con-
tended that this should be paid for at the rate of 3d. per
corve. This had previously been paid, but was discontinued
on the change of management. For defendants, it was
contended that the men were paid for the work under the
allowance made for building, packs. The item, referring to
the allowance must be considered in conjunction with the
other provisions of the list. The Deputy Judge held the
rule should be read as printed, and gave judgment for the
agreed damages. As the case was of special importance to
miners as a class, he allowed costs under scale B.