May 19, 1916.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

959

Notes from the Coal Fields.

[■Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Fixing Coal Prices and Freights for France—Market Upset
—Business practically at a Standstill—Special Meetings
of Coal Exporters and Deputations sent to London—
Circumstances difficult concerning South America—
Newport Harbour Deepening— Lecturer's Military Cross
—Mining School Scheme—Swansea's Coal Shortage—
Law Case—Mr. Tatem's Generosity—The Tonypandy
Riots.

Mr. Runciman’s suggestion regarding the limitation of
coal prices caused keen discussion on ’Change, especially
as it could not but be regarded as the forerunner of pro-
posals in relation to Italy, or perhaps Russia as well. Italy
has already made representations concerning freights, and
it has been with difficulty that a false impression has been
removed, and Italian importers have been made to under-
stand that not British owners, but the owners of neutral
vessels are to the greater extent securing the high figures
of which complaint is made.

The French Government made pressing representations to
the Board of Trade with regard to the high prices of coal in
France, prices so high as to embarrass industrial under-
takings and all classes of consumers. Inasmuch as the
ship owners have met the Department in its endeavour to
remedy the difficulty, the President approached the coal
owners. Arrangements have been made whereby the French
Government will provide in each British area a buying
agent, so as to avoid competition between buying agents on
French account; and the members of the Coal Owners’ Asso-
ciation were asked to consider means whereby the price of
coal sold for export to France would be limited to prices
ruling on March 8, subject to a deduction of 20 per cent.

There was, of course, much difference of opinion as to the
proposal submitted. It is obvious that the suggested prices
give a good return to colliery owners, though depriving them
of the ordinary return due to the market conditions of the
day. Yet it was admitted that while the owners of the best
Admiralty qualities have their prices limited, as has been
the case since war began, the holders of secondary qualities
have had -an unequal advantage in being at liberty to secure
the highest ratesattainable. One point raised was as to
whether the Board, when sale prices are limited, could not
go farther and take some steps for limiting the costs of
production, though no very definite idea was forthcoming
on this. France is said to require coal at the rate of
26 millions of tons per annum, and if buying is to go on
at this rate there will be very little left for neutral pur-
chasers if Italy and other Allies are hereafter brought into
the scheme, which is probable.

Another question raised, and one of importance, especially
to those interested in manufacturing undertakings, is as to
ultimate effect upon the home market. If French consumers
have their interests protected by their Government and
special arrangements made to supply them with cheaper
coal, why is not the British purchaser equally treated?
Indeed, the new departure opens out a wide field of
speculation of surpassing interest and no less difficulty.

Material reduction in price will be accentuated in the case
of the French purchaser by the reduction in rates of freight
also to a material extent. Taking Rouen as an example,
the new rate of freight would be 24s. 6d., as against about
40s. at the present time. The two items, price and freight,
should make a difference of no less than 55s. a ton to the
French buyer.

Objection has been taken to the Government proposals.
After the council of Cardiff Chamber of Commerce had dis-
cussed the subject at a special meeting on Tuesday morning,
a meeting of coal exporters took place during the afternoon—
one of the largest gatherings that has ever come together
in connection with the trade. Mr. T. E. Watson, president
of the Chamber, was in the chair; and a very animated
discussion revealed that the strongest opposition prevailed.
In addition to the usual objections to any limitation of prices,
this particular scheme was criticised as being impracticable.
There was, first of all, the necessity of carrying out present
contracts; and, next, the fact that with such a limitation
of prices, those who had coal.to sell would not send it to
France when higher prices could be realised elsewhere. If
coal were commandeered for the French market because of
insufficient supply, there would inevitably be discrimination
unfair to individuals, it being possible to so arrange selec-
tion of collieries as to ensure fair distribution of liability.
The date selected, March 8, was objected to, this having-
been a period when prices were depressed, so that the result
would be that the prices realised—20 per cent, lower—would
leave no profit, or even entail actual loss. Whilst ship
owners would be getting so much above pre-war level,
the coal owner would be penalised owing to the increase
of working costs. The date, so far as regards coal, is purely
arbitrary, selected only because it is the date suggested by
the ship owners; and it is felt that this should not be
the date, seeing that it operates so adversely to coal
interests. Another objection was to the exclusion of firms
having connection with France, and the substitution of
French buyers, thus destroying local interests without safe-
guard of any sort.

Ultimately at was decided to send a deputation to the
President of the Board of Trade; and the gentlemen selected
were Mr. W. R. Hann, Mr. P. Miles, Mr. J. Moxey,
Mr. T. J. Callaghan, Mr. H. G. Jones, Mr. J. P. Cadogan,
Mr. T. Instone, and Mr. S. W. Hansen.

Meanwhile, the effect upon the market was serious, for
it was almost impracticable to arrange business in view of
the uncertainties of the immediate future. More than half
the coal from South Wales during the four months of the
current year has gone to France—that is, nearly three
millions of tons out of 5| millions—and this fact alone demon-
strates the supreme importance of the new proposals. They
have also to be regarded in the light of probable extension ;
that conditions established now for the French trade will
apply in some measure -also to Italian and Russian. Whilst
the full total of three millions of. tons does not represent
only the trade affected, but also that on Government account
(which is already under limitation), the actual quantity that
will be dealt with is nevertheless substantial, of great conse-

quence to the market. Liberal terms are given to ship
owners under the new proposals, and all that the coal owners
and merchants desire is that they shall have fair treatment.
One calculation shows that some of the prices realised would
be no better than those of 1913 ; so that even where actual
loss was avoided there would not be so much profit as that
of three years ago, owing to the increased costs of production.
A year earlier (in 1912) small coal sold at 12s. 6d., and the
rate now suggested is only 13s. 6d. I Obviously, such a
price cannot be justified, and this is only one point that the
deputation had to place before the President of the Board
of Trade.

It should not be forgotten—and certainly the Miners’
Federation will not overlook the fact—that reduced prices
for coal have a direct effect upon the wage-rate.

The council of Swansea Chamber of Commerce had the
subject before them on Monday, a communication having
come from the Glasgow Chamber pointing out that the buy-
ing of coal for France would mean the elimination of the
coal exporter. After full consideration, it was resolved that,
while approving the principle of fixing maximum prices and
maximum freights, this should be subject to an arrangement
which ensured that prices are reasonable and that there is
no interference with the legitimate business of exporters.
A deputation was appointed to discuss the question with the
President of the Board of Trade, the following gentlemen
being chosen : Mr. A. W. Wynne, Mr. A. Cook, Mr. C.
Cleeves, Mr. A. Andrews, and Mr. W. Morgan.

Business was almost at a standstill, pending the interviews
in London.

A curious demonstration of the interdependence of industry
is afforded by the circumstances of the coal trade to South
America. It arises from a suggestion by the Transport Com-
mittee to limit the export of coal from Great Britain — a
suggestion which -affects South Wales far more than any
other part of the Kingdom. Attention has already been
drawn to the fact that, by reason of the high rates of freight,
American coal has been finding its way in much greater
volume -into the South American markets which hitherto
have been supplied from this country. But the Americans
have, of course, felt the burden of excessive rates of freight,
and although many steamers, promptly available, have been
able to secure rates in excess of those payable from Great
Britain, the Americans have not been able to meet the
requirements of would-be customers in the Argentine and
elsewhere. Indeed, the lack of tonnage in this respect
served to some extent in keeping out very dangerous com-
petitors from one of the most valuable markets of the British
coal trade. The proposition now put forward—that British
exports should be limited—is of serious consequence, the
idea being that there should not be more than 20.,000 to
30,000 tons sent in that direction each month. A further
suggestion is that the British Government will release
requisitioned merchant tonnage, provided that not less than
85s. per ton is the rate of freight. There is, of course, the
great consideration that not merely would the coal trade
be maintained, but that from the River Plate would come
those supplies of corn which are urgently needed for British
consumption. The objection laid to the fixing of a minimum
rate of freight for the outward cargo is that if the Americans
are able to secure neutral tonnage at lower rates, more
American coal would then find its way into the southern
market at a lower price, and the British might therefore
lose both the sale of coal and the supply of corn. Another
consideration is that, owing to the very high cost of coal,
the South American railways, which have chiefly been con-
structed by British capita], would have their working
expenses so greatly increased that their dividends would be
materially reduced—in some cases, perhaps, extinguished ;
and that inasmuch -as several millions of money (one esti-
mate places it -at eight millions sterling) represents dividends
payable to British investors, the loss of income, now subject
to British tax, would be of national importance. Among
suggestions put forward as alternative to those of the Trans-
port Committee is one that- the Government should take up
vessels on time charter, and then release them for export
work in this particular direction, -at rates which would from
time to time be adjusted to the current market rate, not
necessarily in its extreme figures. The whole question is
one of practicability.

Newport Harbour Commissioners have reached an end to
the negotiations with the Alexandra Dock Company regard-
ing improvement of the river and approach, -and there will
consequently be no opposition to the Dock Company’s Bill,
which comes before the House of Commons this session.
According to the arrangement now arrived at, the deep-
water entrance channel is to be of such width and depth
as may be agreed upon by the two parties, and the con-
tribution of the Commissioners towards the cost of main-
taining the channel is not to be increased unless the harbour
dues exceed £12,000 a year. At their meeting last week
the Commissioners affirmed previous resolutions as to river
improvement; and it is understood that the river will be
deepened from the dock company’s boundary to the bridge,
an initial -outlay of £12,000 being estimated, with about
£2,500 per annum for dredging.

Swansea shipments of coal and patent fuel totalled over
114,000 tons last week, which was a very busy period,
exceeding the average of pre-war times. Plenty of tonnage
was available.

Llanelly, on the contrary, has had a poor time lately, the
month of April showing only 20 vessels, as against 64 in
the corresponding month last year.

The Harbour Trustees of Swansea have called upon, the
corporation to advance £3'5,000 on July 1 in order that the
half-year’s interest may be met, and instructions have been
given the treasurer to make the necessary provision for thus
complying with the council’s guarantee.

Lord Rhondda has retired from the board of directors
of the Ebbw Vale Company, on which body he occupied the
position of vice-chairman.

The new chairman of the urban council in the important
colliery district-of the Rhondda is Mr. H. E. Maltby, agent
of the Locket’s Merthyr Colliery. Formerly at the Pilsley
Colliery, Derbyshire, and afterwards in South Africa, Mr.
Maltby has been with the Locket’s Merthyr Company since
1906.

The fact that Second Lieutenant D. Richards, surveyor
from the Ocean Colliery, Treorchy, has gained the Military
Cross has given reminder that four members of the clerical
staff at Treorchy have gained commissions. Mr. Richards
was also -a lecturer on mining under the Glamorgan Council.

A conference of Monmouthshire miners’ delegates have
called upon the Education Committee to apply for sanction
to borrow money in order to build a mining school for the
county. Strongly adverse opinion was expressed against the

proposal that the Board of Education should recognise the coal
owners’ -school at Crumlin, which will cost £16,000. Three
years ago the -County Education Committee decided to erect
a school, but have failed to do so, and the Federation now
urge popular control, especially in the matter of finance.
Thirty thousand employees were represented by the delegates.

Householders in Swansea experience so much difficulty in
obtaining adequate supplies of coal that the Parliamentary
Committee of the Corporation has been induced to take
action on their behalf. One estimate puts the shortage at
75 per cent. The Coal Merchants’ Association of the dis-
trict met to discuss the question, and the suggestion was
made that because colliery owners could get better prices
for delivery to ships, the home trade had to suffer, some of
the retailers having been -able to get only one-tenth their
usual quantities, although prices had gone to 8s. or 9s. above
those of the Limitation Act. Approach is to be made to the
Board of Trade, and enquiry will be ma-de as to- what is
being done in other towns in order to ensure sufficiency of
supply.

The difficulties at -Swansea, prevalent also elsewhere, give
point to a memorandum issued by the Coal and Coke Supplies
Committee for South Wales and Monmouthshire which was
appointed by the Board of Trade to -arrange for supplies of
coal and coke for home consumption. It is signed by Mr.
T. E. Watson (chairman) and Mr. Finlay A. Gibson (secre-
tary). They direct attention to the following facts :—(1) The
output has been considerably reduced, owing to the large
number of miners who have joined the Army; (2) there is
a serious shortage in the supply of coal for home consump-
tion, owing to the large requirements of munition and other
works producing war materials, and in consequence of the
demands made by the Admiralty and the Governments of
the Allies ; (3) the amount required for ordinary home con-
sumption should be reduced as much as possible in order to
keep munition works, the Admiralty, and the Governments
of the Allies fully supplied; (4) coal is one of the most
important commodities that can be offered in exchange for
goods imported from other countries. The committee, there-
fore, ask that every assistance possible shall be rendered by
all users of fuel to keep their requirements down to the
lowest possible limits. Further, consumers can co-operate
with the committee by endeavouring to use such coal as is
offered to meet their demands without insisting on obtaining
exactly the same description as they have previously received.

Two employees at Ebbw Vale were summoned for breaches
of the Mines Act, it being alleged that a shot was fired,
injuring a man, before the signal bad been given that the
place was clear. One of the defendants had been 50 years
under the company, and the other 28 years. It was alleged
that the shot would not have been fired had not a haulier,
some distance away, shouted “ Right-o 1 ” to his horse,
and that the accident would not have occurred. One of the
men had been reduced .in position, penalising him to the
extent of 13s. per week; and the defendants were bound wer,
being ordered to pay a guinea each towards the costs.

It was stated in the -Chancery Division last Friday that
an arrangement had been come to whereby the action of
Air. J. H. Gardiner against the Ystradowen Colliery Com-
pany for specific performance of a contract to sell the colliery
to plaintiff should stand over. The case had been pre-
viously adjourned because of the death of defendant’s solicitor.
Air. T. W. James, who was drowned after the steamship
“ Sussex ” outrage.

As from June 1 there will be a large increase in the dock
charges on bunker coal at Bristol Channel.ports. Notice has
been issued by the Newport Docks and Railway Company,
the Barry Railway Company, the Cardiff Railway Company,
the Port Talbot Railway and Docks Company, the Swansea
Harbour Trust, and the Taff Vale Railway Company, inti-
mating that vessels calling for bunkers will be charged full
tonnage rates. At present the rate for vessels simply taking
in bunker coal is 4d. per ton. The full tonnage rates range
from 5d. to 9d. per ton, according to- the destination of the
vessels.

Mr. W. J. Tatem, who won the principal race at Windsor
on Saturday with a horse named The Revenge, is a pro-
minent colliery and shipping owner in South Wales, and he
has generously given the stakes to the “ Star and Garter”
Home at Richmond for permanently disabled soldiers and
sailors. The donation amounts to close on £450.

With reference to the case of the Glamorgan Coal Com-
pany Limited v. the Standing Joint Committee of the
Quarter Sessions and the Glamorgan County Council, in
regard to the employment of Metropolitan police during the
Tonypandy riots, the London County Council has been con-
sidering the matter, in view of Lord Justice Phillimore’s
comment that the London ratepayers have to defray expenses
which should properly be borne by the Exchequer. The
London County Council decided to ask the Secretary of State
whether the whole cost (including an equitable proportion of
administrative and other charges) of the Metropolitan police
employed in South Wales has been repaid to the Metropolitan
Police Fund.

A serious accident occurred at No. 9 Pit, Tylers town.
Twenty-two men were in a cage descending, -and when the
cage reached the bottom they were thrown in a heap. All
-suffered from shock, and nine received serious internal
injuries, some being unconscious.

Northumberland and Durham.

Half-Century's Service—Larger Coke Shipments—Presenta-
tion to Ex-Salesman—Colliery Prosecutions—German
Councillor's Resignation—More Chemists Needed—A
Coupling Accident—Miner Soldiers—Pit Timber Thefts
—Fatal Prank—Treasurer Sentenced—Manager's Retire-
ment—Compensation Case—Miners' Association Funds
— Colliery Fire.

Mr. Thomas WeighaU, general secretary of the
Northumberland Colliery Enginemen’s and Firemen’s
Association, has completed 50 years service as an official of
the union. During that time he has been president, general
treasurer, and genera] secretary of the association, and has
held the latter position for 36 years.

The Durham Aged Mine Workers’ Homes Association
passed the New Brancepeth proposal that the association
should have a uniform standard weight of fire coal for the
homes, viz., not less than 15 cwt. per month.

From figures laid before the Tyne Improvement Com-
missioners -it is evident that the coke industry has received a
new lease of life. The shipments in April were 66,522 tons,
as against 24,181 -in the corresponding month last year.