24 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. July 7, 1916. Prices. Description of fuel. Per ton. July 1, 1915. Per ton. January 1, 1916. Per ton. July 1, 1916. Best Northumbrian steam coals f.o.b. Tyne... „ „ steam smalls „ Best Durham gas coals „ Durham coking coals ,, Best Durham blast-furnace coke del. Tees-side Durham bunkers f.o.b. Tyne Foundry coke f.o.b. Tyne Best Lancashire house coals at pit ,, „ slacks ,, Best Yorkshire Silkstone „ Barnsley thick-seam house ,, Best Haigh Moor (London) ,, Yorkshire steam coals „ Best Derbyshire house coals „ Large ,, nuts ,, Best Staffordshire house coals „ Welsh steam coals f.o.b. Cardiff... „ Welsh small steam coals „ ,, ,, Semi-bituminous ,, ,, No. 3 Rhondda, large „ „ ... No. 2 „ „ Patent fuel „ - „ ... Best Welsh malting anthracite f.o.b. Swansea Special foundry coke, Cardiff Scotch ell coals f.o.b. Glasgow ; „ steam „ ,, ,, splint „ ,, Fife steam coals, f.o.b. Methil Fife treble nuts ,, ,, Hetton Wallsend, London 20s. 14s. 20s. 17s. 6d. to 18s. 6d. 30s. 16s. to 19s. 37s. 6d. 21s. to 22s. 14s. 21s. to 22s. 19s. to 20s. 19s. to 20s. 15s. to 16s. 17s. 15s. 6d. 23s. 27s* 19s. 6d. to 20s. 26s. to 27s. 28s. 20s. to 21s. 3os. 22s 6d. to 24s. 6d. 40s. to 42s. 6d. 15s. 13s. 6d. to 16s. 6d. 15s. to 18s. 18s. to 20s. 16s. 6d. to 17s. 6d. 22s. 10s. 6d. 21s. to 22s. 21s. 36s. 21s. to 22s. 36s. to 38s. 21s. to 22s. 14s. to 15s. 20s. to 22s. 18s. 61. 20s. to 21s. 17s. to 18s.. 17s. 15s. * 12s. 6d. to 13s. 6d. 24s. to 25s. 23s. to 24s. 20s. to 21s. 24s. to 25 s. 36s. to 37s. 6d. 42s. 6d. to 45s. 21s. 6d. 18s. to 20s. 22s. to 26s. 21s. to 22s. 21s. to 22s. 50s. to 52s. 6d. 31s. to 32s. 6d. 35s. to 36s. 33s. to 35s. 42s. 6d. 33s. to 35s. 43s. 6d. to 47s. 6d. 21s. 16s. 30s. to 32s. 18s. 6d. to 19s. 6d. 20s. to 21s. 17s. 6d. to 18s. 6d. ’ 17s. 15s. 22s. * 30s. to 31s. 47s. to 48s. 45s. to 48s. 35s. to 37s. 6d. 50s. to 55s. 31s. to 33s. 62s. to 65s. 25s. to 30s. 24s. to 27s. 6d. 33s. to 45s. 40s. to 50s. 23s. to 25s. * Nominal; best sorts off the market. Freights. July 1, 1915. January 1, 1916. July 1, 1916. Tyne to— Rouen 16s. 21s. 46s. Marseilles 28s. 50s. 87s. 6d. Genoa 27s. 66s. 6d. 90s. to 92s. 6d. Alexandria 27s. 6d. 72s. 6d. . 110s. London 7s. 6d. 15s. 12s. Cardiff to— Genoa 22s. 6d. 66s. 70s. to 75s. Bordeaux 16s. 6d. 32s. 34s. Marseilles 20s. 48s. 45s. to 72s. 6d. Havre 12s. 21s. 22s. 6d. Barcelona 20s. 50s. 62s. 6d. to 65s. Las Palmas 19s. 35s. 47s. 6d. Alexandria 25s. 67s. 6d. 90s. River Plate 27s. 6d. I 40s. 45s. Wages. Percentage of wages above standards. District. ,-----------A------------x July 1, 1915. Jan. 1, 1916. J uly 1, 1916. N or thum berland 65 f . .. 78 f • .. 112 fl Durham ... 68ft • .. 75 f . .. 88H Federated area ... 90H . .. 95 Jt • .. 23F South Wales and Mon.... ... 77*f ■ .. 88|4 . .. 40-83f§ Scotland ... 1061f .. .. H81f . .. 143ft Above the new standard, which is 50 per cent, above the standard of 1879, with a minimum wage of 10 per cent, above the new standard or 60 per cent, above the standard of 1879. f Including the war bonus. X Commencing July 3. § Above the 1915 standard, or 11T25 per cent, above the standard of 1879. ________________ _______________ by four increases amounting in all to 42| per cent, during 1915. In March, the Scottish Conciliation Board granted a further increase of 18f per cent., equivalent to an advance of 9d. on the existing day wage of 8s. 9d. In April, Mr. Balfour Browne, the neutral chairman, awarded a further 3d. per day—viz., 6| per cent, increase—bringing the wage level to the high figure of 143J above the 1888 standard. The men have since put in a claim for a further increase of Is. per day, representing an increment of 25 per cent, on the basis of 1888. The above survey strikingly illustrates the difficulties surrounding the labour question in the coal fields. It discloses the dangers of a “ vicious circle” in the adjustment of wages on selling prices without regard to other factors in the cost of produc- tion. It is useless to speculate upon the position to which the coal trade appears to be drifting, but clearly a point has now been reached when the future prosperity of the industry will claim serious attention. It is difficult to point to any direction in which the coal owner can hope to meet the heavy costs of winning coal. A limit has been put to the further possibility of passing on the burden to the consumer. Even in the matter of by-products there seems to be little hope of relief, for coal tar is now almost a drug in the market, and benzol products have been commandeered by the Government at prices but little in excess of pre-war quotations. In the table accompanying this article the apparently extraordinary variations in the prices of certain classes of coal must be read in conjunction with the extent to which these coals are outside the limitations imposed by Government in regard to home supplies, and to exports to France. __________________________ Lord Rhondda, it is understood, has recently joined the board of directors of R. Martens and Company Limited, in which he holds a controlling interest. This firm acts as shipping agents to the Imperial Russian Marine, to the Russian Government Committee, and also as British Admi- ralty agents at Archangel. Australia’s Coal Embargo.—The United States commercial attache .at Melbourne makes the following report to his Government :—The embargo on the export of coal from Australia, established some time ago by the Commonwealth Government, has, it now appears, a certain bearing upon United States shipping in the Pacific. The reason for the coal embargo, it may reasonably be assumed, is to facilitate the export of wheat, there being .at present something like 135,000,000 bushels in the hands of the Wheat Board, which is held up on account of shortage of tonnage. The interpre- tation of the coal embargo, according to reliable information, is that a permit for the export of coal will not be given to any vessel that can carry wheat. Recently the “ Ayrian ” secured a permit to load coal at the same time that the “ Star of Holland ” was definitely refused. These vessels are United States sailers, capable of carrying about 3,500 tons deadweight of coal. They had come down from the Pacific Coast of the United States with cargoes of lumber; they desired to proceed with coal for Chile, and there load nitrate for San Francisco. It was impossible for the Wheat Board to secure insurance on the “ Ayrian,” because it was not tight. The Star of Holland,” however, being suitable for carrying wheat, had to proceed to Chile in ballast. This would seem to indicate that only leaky United States sailers can expect to load coal and secure a profitable round voyage. It would be a case of the poorest being the best. For the first time in 20 years it is possible to refer to “ United States shipping ” in these waters. Old sailing vessels, many of small size, have emerged from creeks on the Pacific Coast, and are running down to Australia with cargoes of timber. At present there are five such sailers in the port of Mel- bourne, and 12 more are on the way. As a rule, they return to the United States empty, endeavouring to lose no time in picking up another timber cargo at high freight rates. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, July 6. __________________________________________ Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Business in the coal trade in the west of Scotland district continues on rather quiet lines. This is largely attributable to a scarcity of tonnage and a dearth of shipping licences. The demand for ell coal is now confined to immediate requirements, and collieries are in some cases disposed to make concessions in price in order to induce extra orders. Splint maintains its position fairly well, the bulk of the output being taken up for home consumption. Navigations and steams are more plentiful and prices are easier, the former being now quoted 37s. to 39s. per ton. Smalls are firm. Shipments for the week amounted to 121,249 tons, compared with 109,522 in the preceding week and 123,688 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. ___________ Current iL’st week’s^ Last year’s prices. ! prices. ! prices. Steam coal............ 24/ -27/6 25/ -29/ ' 13/6-16/6 Ell .................. 25/ -30/ ; 27/ -30/ : 15/ -15,3 -i • j I nnl j : 4 A / a r- I 1 t A 1 O I Splint...................; 33/ -45/ 40/ -45/ ' 14/9-18/ Treble nuts .............I 23/ , 22/ -23/ 16/9-17/ Double do................; 22/ 22/ 15/9-16/3 Single do................ 21/ 21/ . 16/3-16/6 IRON. The various branches of the iron trade in Scotland show undiminished activity. The demand for material of all kinds is fully maintained, chiefly for home consumption. Producers of pig iron are doing a large business particu- larly in haematite, large quantities of which are being used in the local steelworks, and, while efforts are continually being made to increase the output of this iron, deliveries are still short of requirements. Ordinary brands, too, are now more difficult to obtain. Prices are firm, with a tendency in an upward direction. Scotch makers’ iron quotations are as follow:—Monkland and Carnbroe, f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1, 125s., Nos. 3, 120s.; Govan, No. 1, 122s. 6d., No. 3, 120s.; Clyde, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1, 130s., Nos. 3, 125s.; Gartsherrie, No. 1, 131s% 6d., No. 3, 126s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 130s., No. 3, 125s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, and Dalmellington, at Ayr, Nos. 1, 126s. 6d., Nos. 3, 121s. 6d.; Shotts and Carron, at Leith, Nos. 1, 130s., Nos. 3, 125s. per ton. The pig iron warrant market is still suspended. Total stocks now amount to 30,920 tons, compared with 116,098 tons at the close of 1915. A very active business is being done in the malleable iron trade, and outputs are only restricted by the available supplies of raw materials and labour. The export department is very quiet in view of the home demand. Crown quality iron bars are quoted about <£14 12s. 6d. per ton, less 5 per cent, for home delivery, and <£14 2s. 6d. to <£14 5s. per ton net for export. Wrought iron and steel tube makers are also busily employed both on home and export account. Black sheet makers have more work on hand than they can overtake, and the output at present is confined to Government requirements. The price for 7 to 11 b.g. is still about <£18 10s. per ton, Glasgow delivery. ________________ Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The collieries in the Lothians are moderately active, but could undertake more business. Shipping licences have been granted with more freedom of late, and coalmasters are hopeful of maintaining values. Clearances for the week amounted to 38,439 tons, against 35,771 in the preceding week, and 41,632 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal... Secondary qualities..... Treble nuts ........... Double do.............. Single do.............. Current IL’st week’sjLast year’s prices. prices. prices. 35/ -37/6 1 37/6-40/ 16/ -16 6 i 34/ -36/ | 36/ -38/ < 15/6-16/ i 23/ -25/ | 23/ -25/ ’■ 16/ -17/ 22/ -24/ | 22/ -24/ I 16/ -16/6 21/ -22/6 21/ -22/ j 16/ -16/6 The position in Fifeshire can hardly be called satisfactory. New business is slow, while a considerable quantity of coal is held under contract, and holders are willing to accept prices under official quotations in order to effect a clearance. Shipments for the week amounted to 60,337 tons, against 47,094 in the preceding week and 74,096 tons in the same week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation coal..................... Unscreened do............ First-class steam coal... Third-class do........... Treble nuts ............. Double do................ Single do................ Current 1 L’st week’s 'Lastyear’s prices. ' prices. | prices. 45/ -50/ ; 45/ -50/ 24/ -25/ 42/ -45/ ' 40/ -45/ ' 22/ -23/ 40/ -50/ : 40/ -45/ . 18/6-20/ 32/ -35/ i 35/ -36/ 14/ -16/ 23/ -25/ ! 23/ -25/ 16/6-17/6 22/ -24/ 1 22/ -24/ ' 16/ -17/ 21/ -23/ | 21/ -22/ I 15/6-16/6 ______ The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 220,025 tons, compared with 192,387 in the preceding week and 239,416 tons in the corre- sponding week of last year.