THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

________________________________________________________________________________

July 7, 1916.

35

LABOUR AND WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

The question of absenteeism was discussed by the Rhondda
miners on Monday, and their agent said there was no objec-
tion to the proposal of setting up a committee representing
both employers and workmen at each colliery to deal with
the question, for he was quite sure that the Federation execu-
tive would never agree to any system of penalties being
imposed upon the men. Mr. Abraham, M.P. (Mabon), who
urged the establishment of committees immediately,
impressed upon the delegates the necessity of seing that the
men worked as regularly as possible.—The resolution was
passed advising the lodges to form committees, it being
understood that no system of fines would be agreed to.—The
meeting, in the course of the proceedings, protested against
the executive council having accepted Judge O’Connor’s
recommendation dealing with the ostlers’ bonus, the Sunday
night shift, and the surface craftsmen; but Mr. W. John
(the agent) contended that the executive bad taken the
wisest course in the interest of the workmen themselves.

The East Glamorgan miners have passed a resolution
recommending the lodges to support a scheme for assisting
the fund in aid of wounded soldiers, and at their meeting
on Monday the agent explained the work of collecting
income-tax from the miners.

It was reported to a meeting of the Monmouthshire
eastern valleys men that an agreement was proposed which
would settle the agitation for payment in respect of the use
of electric lamps at the Lower Varteg Colliery, and Mr. J.
Winstone (the agent) expressed the opinion that the agree-
ment was likely to be carried through.—In answer to a
question whether the managers of a colliery had a right to
post up the name and working number of a man absent for
a day, Mr. Winstone said that they had not, but the only
thing they were entitled to do was to post up the number of
men who were absent on a particular day.

The result of the joint audit of employers’ books, under
the steel trade sliding scale agreement showed that- prices
of tin bars and steel rails had advanced 24 per cent, during
the quarter. Upon the question of the wage rate, which has
reached the maximum, the men demanding abolition of the
maximum and a material advance, the employers’ represen-
tatives asked if the men’s representatives had plenary powers
to accept or reject any proposal, as it would be useless to
proceed unless they had those powers. The answer being
in the negative, a week’s adjournment was decided on,
meetings of the men to take place meanwhile. Dowla-is men
had already conferred plenary powers upon their represen-
tatives.

The agitation against the employment of foreigners on
British vessels is still active, and it has direct relation, of
course, to vessels carrying coal. It is stated, on behalf of
the men’s union, that over 30,000 of its members have joined
the Army or Navy, .and that it is not right for shipowners
to employ foreign labour, such as Chinese, whilst British
seamen are available. The remark is made that if mine
owners tried to replace their men with Chinese the Federa-
tion would at once give orders to down tools, and it is the
intention of the Seamen’s and Firemen’s Union to press
forward with a national agitation, so as to ensure that
British ships shall carry British seamen.

North of England.

The council meeting of the Durham Miners’ Association,
held last Saturday, decided that the present was not an
appropriate time to consider an increase in the basis rate of
wages of the various classes of colliery workmen, inasmuch
as it is intended, as soon as the present crisis is over, to go
in for a 50 per cent, increase on the basis rate all round.

For a considerable time past the employees of the Mickley
Coal Company Limited have had two funds—one subscribed
to by the bulk of the employees, and the other by the workers
at West Mickley Colliery—for the relief of distress caused
by fatal accidents at the collieries. The West Mickley men
have now decided to amalgamate their fund with the larger
organisation, and it is expected that, as a result of the
“ merger,” the benefits payable by the fund will be sub-
stantially increased.

At the West Mickley pit, the majority of the workmen,
resentful at the presence in their ranks of a small number of
non-unionists, have adopted the method of “ moral suasion ”
by wearing union badges. Writing in a local newspaper
with reference to this step, a minor official of the North-
umberland Miners’ Association says : “ The withdrawal of
the right to participate in advances of wages would, perhaps,
be the most drastic penalty. I know of at least two collieries
where this was put into effect, and it was surprising what a
speedy reformation it made.”

In some instances—as, for example, in the case of the
whole of the Backworth collieries—the owners conceded a
bonus, similar to that paid on Whit-Monday, to those miners
who worked on Thursday last week, that day being, under
normal circumstances, a yearly holiday. In other instances,
where no such bonus was conceded, many men abstained
from work, and in one case, at least, a large colliery was laid
idle for the day. A cavilling dispute at Thornley Colliery
laid the mine idle for the week, but new cavils were drawn
on Friday last, and the pit resumed on Monday.

Six hewers, employed by the Ryhope Coal Company
Limited, were charged at Sunderland last Saturday with
breach of contract and damages, totalling T26, at the rate of
IT per shift wTere claimed. The prosecuting solicitor
described the men as wilful slackers. Monday was the great
day of absenteeism. One defendant, Gervase Beston, never
worked on a Monday prior to the first prosecution. He now
worked on that day, but took Tuesday or Wednesday off.
The company did not want the men’s money, but desired
them to perform their duty honestly and to be loyal to their
country.—The defendants having promised to work full
time in future, the company reduced the claim by 75 per
cent., making the amount 5s. per shift, and the magistrates
made an order accordingly.

At the quarterly meeting of the delegates of the Durham
County Colliery Enginemen’s, Boiler Minders’ and Firemen’s
Association at Durham last week, Mr. W. B. Charlton, agent,
in his report, stated that the question of the continuation of
the Conciliation Board, as now referred to the committees of
the separate associations, was somewhat disquieting, for no
combination of men in either federation or amalgamation
could more efficiently operate in bringing the best to Durham
men than could the Durham Mining Federation Board. The
units of the board were complete in themselves, and when
brought together in federation the wThole mining county of
Durham was represented. This could not be done, unless by
some big change, in any other county in Great Britain. It
must be admitted that the putting of the mineworkers’ case
by Durham men to Durham coal owners had brought the
best of what they had and would still bring the best to

Durham miners. They, had got by the aid of the federation
what was almost impossible of accomplishment by associa-
tions acting singly. They trusted soon to be relieved from
any disquieting fears from that cause, and hoped that the
Conciliation Board would soon be re-established without
being subject in any degree to powers outside its own
constituent area.

In announcing to their members the 22 per cent, increase
in wages resultant upon the accountants’ ascertainment of the
selling price of coal for the three months ended May 31, the
wages committee of the Northumberland Miners’ Association

From all
reports of
tonnage for
freedom with which beats are offered for Mediterranean
destinations. We mentioned in this column last week that
ship owners were beginning to show a marked preference for
Mediterranean and other voyages outside the scope of the
limitation scheme, and now that preference is having a very
_______________ ___________________________ ___________	pronounced effect on business, and causing no little trouble,

states" 7” In previous reports we have said that quick	The list of fixtures arranged at the Tyne this week, for

fluctuations in ascertained prices were to be expected during	”	" 1 J 4-1	~	K1'

the war, and we desire to say now that causes, not altogether
unforeseen, may considerably affect these prices in the near
future. Already there is an arrangement with the Govern-
ment by which the price of coal exported to France is to be
limited to 20 per cent, below the market quotations ruling
on March 8. . . . As we export a large part of our output
to France, this scale may make a considerable difference to
ascertained coal values, and, consequently, percentage on
miners’ wages in this county in the future. The Govern-
ment has under consideration a proposal to limit not only the
price of fuel, but also of foodstuffs. This, in our opinion, is
absolutely necessary to stop the exploitation which is going-
on at the present time. The committee of the Miners’
Federation has made it quite clear on several occasions that,
providing prices of commodities are kept down, miners have
no desire that the price of coal should go up, and thereby
inflict serious hardship on the poorest of the poor. Whoever
may be to blame for the extraordinary height to which the
price of coal has risen, miners repudiate any share in that
blame, and will hail with satisfaction any restrictive action
which may be taken by the Government to limit the prices
of all these commodities which constitute a large part of the
cost of living in a working man’s home.”

Recent decisions of the executive committee of the
Northumberland Miners’ Association include the following :
“ That, having heard the report of our deputation to
Barrington Colliery regarding putters, who are working wet,
not being allowed to ascend the shaft before the men, we
express our regret at the refusal of the colliery management
to make such an arrangement as, in our opinion, is most
reasonable. However, we advise the lads to continue the
present practice of coming out in time to ride first, and, in
case the management again attempts to stop the practice, we
ask the branch to at once report the matter to this com-
mittee.” Chevington Drift : “ That, having heard the
report of our deputation to the management oi this pit re
the workmen’s complaint of an inadequate supply of fire-
coal, we await the reply of the colliery management to the
suggestion for a better supply.” West Wylam : “ That we
seek an interview with the management of this colliery with
a view to getting rent and coal allowance for certain men
who, owing to illness, have temporarily had to give up their
work in the mine and having commenced work on the
surface.” Seghill : “ That we are pleased to learn that the
management of this colliery has agreed to carry out now the
local agreement for the supply of the workmen’s fire-coal by
giving that supply from the small produced from all the
seams being worked and, in addition, has agreed to take
from such small 30 per cent, of ‘ duff,’ instead of 25 per
cent. ; and that we await the expiration of the two months,
as arranged by our deputation, in order to see whether or
not this results in an adequate supply of fire-coal being given
to the workmen.”

West Coast haematite pig iron warrants having remained
at 115s. per ton—the figures fixed by the Minister of Muni-
tions—during the quarter ended June. 30, the wages of
Cumberland and North Lancashire blastfurnacemen are
unchanged, the percentage on the standard being 93}, com-
pared with 68} per cent, for the corresponding period of last
year, when the average price of warrants was 95s. per ton.

Federated Area.

There was a representative attendance at a meeting of the
Lancashire and Cheshire Coal Wages Board, held in Man-
chester on Monday, under the presidency of Mr. C. Pilking-
ton, of the Clifton and Kersley Coal Company Limited. It
was mentioned that since the appointment of committees to
inquire into the matter of absenteeism in the areas covered
by the Board that there had been a great improvement in that
respect.

The granting of a further 3£ per cent, advance in wages
to the miners of South Staffordshire and East Worcestershire
brings them to a record figure for the area. The present-
advance represents an increase of 3d. per day to pikemen, 2d.
per day to loaders, l^d. a day to adult surface workers, and
Id. a day to youths. Pikemen’s wages now exceed 9s. a
day, loaders 7s. a day, and surface workers 5s. 6d. a day.
Compared with the 1888 list, the prices now paid are equal
to about 100 per cent.

Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades.

A. scheme for the confederation of the British Steel Smelters’
Society, the Tin and Sheet Millmen’s Association, the Asso-
ciated Iron aird Steel Workers of Great Britain, the Amal-
gamated Association of Steel and Iron Workers, and the
National Steel Workers’ Association has now been completed.
A joint committee representing those organisations has
arranged to lay the proposals before the steel and tin-plate
workers in the'principal centres during the next two months.
Afterwards a ballot of all the societies will be taken.

The Ministry of Munitions has issued a statement to the
effect that on June 26 about 5,500 engineers and allied
workers went on strike at Vickers Limited, Barrow-in-
Furness, regarding the dilution of labour. Work was
resumed on Saturday last, and dilution will proceed at
Barrow as elsewhere. The strike was repudiated by the
executive of the A.S.E., and the Ministry of Munitions
threatened to prosecute the instigators of the strike.

______________________________

Exports to Archangel.—At a meeting of the Anglo-Russian
Trade Committee, formed for the purpose of obtaining
relaxation of the restriction of British exports to Archangel,
it was decided that merchants unable to fulfil contracts made
before the closure with Russian buyers should be invited to
state the amount of unshipped tonnage they have on hand,
so that the authorities may be asked to permit the shipment
of so much, and thus avert serious loss. Anything in the
nature of factious agitation was disclaimed, the difficulties
of the situation from the official standpoint being fully
realised. It was further resolved that some of the numerous
correspondents who have written to the committee should be
invited to a further meeting.

THE FREIGHT MARKET.

the chief tramp tonnage centres this week come
the great difficulty experienced in chartering
French ports, and, generally speaking, of the

instance, is unusually small, and there is a very noticeable
falling-off in the proportion of charters for French destina-
tions. Throughout the whole week, in fact, merchants have
found the utmost difficulty in securing bottoms for business
on the limitation basis, while, on the other hand, steamers
have been offered for Italy and other such voyages greatly
in excess of the demand. This has, of course, brought down
Mediterranean rates with a run, but has also seriously dis-
organised the French trade, and shippers, especially the
collieries, have in many cases been unable to maintain
regular shipments. The only fixture coastwise was to
London at the unchanged figure of 12s. For France, limita-
tion rates are easily held, and for coke merchants have had
to pay increases of from Is. to 2s. for Channel ports and
rather more for the Bay. Mediterranean-wards, the most
recent fixture for Genoa was at 90s., but current quotations
are on the basis of 87s. 6d., a drop of 7s. 6d. on the week.
Marseilles is from 5s. to 7s. 6d. lower, and Oran, at 57s. 6d.,
is no less than 15s. 6d. cheaper than the previous rate paid.
At the Bristol Channel, similar conditions to those ruling on
the north-east coast prevail. Owners, particularly neutrals,
offer boats freely for the Mediterranean, but, as a rule, few
bottoms are forthcoming for the nearer trades. At the time
of writing, however, there is an appreciable improvement in
tonnage supplies for France. Nevertheless, it is necessary
that action should at once be taken in order to prevent any-
thing approaching a glut of boats offering for one direction,
and, simultaneously, a great scarcity of tonnage for another.
Rates are very considerably reduced on the week’s work, for
merchants have little urgent business except for France, and
hold off in hopes of still lower rates. Not a single fixture is
reported for Rouen, and other French ports are little better
served. A large number of boats have been chartered for
Spain at reductions of from 5s. to 10s. for Lisbon. For the
Mediterranean, Genoa and similar ports are down to 70s., a
decrease of 10s., and Marseilles is weak at the same rate.
Port Said has paid 90s., and the River Plate has fixed a
boat at 45s.

In the homeward market, the River Plate is showing signs
of stiffening, and rates for British or Allied beats are up to
135s. for July-Aug. loading, and 130s. for Sept.-Oct. ship-
ment to United Kingdom. For prompt positions, neutrals are
holding for 160s. for United Kingdom with full options.
Tonnage is scarce. In the States market, holidays have
interfered with business, but rates generally are firmer. For
prompt leading, 9s. is the .figure indicated for heavy grain
to the Bristol Channel, and a fixture has been arranged at
that price. For the French Atlantic, 11s. is workable, and
12s. fid. is bidding for West Italy. Neutrals, however, are
still able to secure 25s. for heavy grain, and about Is. less
for barley for West Italy or French Mediterranean discharge.
Collier tonnage is worth 70s. for the Plate, and 125s. for
West Italy. The Indian market is dull, at about 80s. from
Kurrachee to United Kingdom on scale basis, and 92s. 6d.
on d.w. from Bombay. The rice perts are in need of boats
at about 162s. 6d. from Saigon-Haiphong to France or
United Kingdom, and 140s. from Burmah.

Tyne to Brest, 500, 45s., coke; Barcelona, 1,300, 70s.;
2,000, 70s.; Caen, 1,300, 1,900, 26s. 6d.; Dunkirk, 500, 45s.,
coke; 350, 45s., coke; Genoa, 600, 90s.;
1,900, 92s. 6d. ; 2,600, 90s.; 3,000, 90s.;

.; 2,200, 36 kr.; Havre, 800,
/	., 1,900, 46s.; 1,700,

Lisbon, 3,000, 50s.; Malmo,

.	-	' ; Oran,

; 3,000, 54s. 6d. : Rouen, 500, 46s.,
St. Servan, 1,300, 1,800, 26s. 6d.;

)s., coke; 3,000, 35s.; Tunis, 2,000,

coke; 350, 46s
2,600, 92s. 6d..
good Danish port, 1,600, 36 kr. 7	___,

26s. 6d.; 2,000, 25s. fid.; Las Palmas,
46s. fid.; London, 2,500, 12s
2,000, 34|kr., reported; Marseilles, 3,000. 87s. 6d
1,300, 60s.; 1,800, 60s.; '	’

coke; 1,900, 27s. 6d.;
St. Nazaire, 1,250, 50;
90s.; Treport, 500, 27s. fid.

Cardiff to Alicante, 1,600, 60s.; 1,200, 62s. 6d. ; Aguilas,
1,300, W>s., July; Bordeaux, 1,700, 34s.; Birkenhead, 650,
'	~	1,400, 62s. 6d.; 900, 65s.;

22.; Gran-
, ,	,	, 5.500, 76s. ;

Huelva, 1,400, 40s.; Lisbon, 1,500,
>00; 1,100, 32s. 6d., 400; 880, 35s.,
La Rochelle, 900, 30s.; Leghorn,
5,500, 76s.; 3,500, 70s.; Marseilles,
m. ; 5,000, 70s. ; Malaga, 1,400, 45s. ;

i,3oo, fts., , r'..x-N

9s.; Barcelona, 2,000,*62s. 6d.;	___, _______,

Chantenay, 1,650, 29s.; Dunkirk, 1,800, 27s. 6d.
ville, 500, 24s.; Genoa, 6,000, 75s.; 3,900, 75s	___

3,100, 74s.; 3,500, 70s " ’	- ---	-

40s., 400; 4,400, 30s.,
350; 1,500/ 35s., 350;
6,000, 75s.; 3,900, 75s., .
2,800, 72s. 6d. ; 4,300, 70s
Morlaix, 650, 25s.; Malta,’ 1,850,’ 75s.; Naples, 2,200’ 75s/,
800; Nantes, 1,650, 29s. ; Oporto, 950, 38s., 300; 1,400, 40s.;
Pert Said, 4,400, 90s.; Rochefort, 900, 30s.; River Plate,
45s.; St. Brieux, 650, 25s. ; Savona, 6,000, 75s.; 3,900, 75s.;
5,500, 76s.; 3,100, 74s.; 3,500, 70s.; Spezzia, 6,000, 75s.;
5,500, 76s.; 3,500, 70s.; St. Nazaire, 1,500, 2,000, 29s.

Swansea to Genoa, 6,300, 75s.; Genoa, Savona, Spezzia,
or Leghorn, 2,600, 80s. coal, 80s. 9d. fuel; 3.400, 77s. 6d.;
St. Brieux, 250, 25s. coal, 25s. 9d. fuel: La Pallice, 550,
30s. 9d. fuel; West Italy, 3,500, 77s. 6d.; Havre, 1,300,
22s. 6d.; Marseilles, 1,600, 72s.; Waterford, 300, 14s.;
Treport or Dieppe, 27s. 6d.; Morlaix, 200, 25s. 9d., fuel;
Genoa, 6,300, 75s.; Oran, 1,500, 52s. 6d. coal, 53s. 3d.
fuel; Civita Vecchia, 2,500, 78s. coal, 78s. 9d. fuel: St.
Malo, 750 , 22s. coal, 22s. 9d. fuel; 450, 22s. 9d., fuel;
Nantes, 950, 30s.; Catania, 2,600, 80s. coal, 80s. 9d. fuel;
Bordeaux, 2,200, 34s.; Genoa, Savona, or Spezzia, 3.500,
/0s. ; La Rochelle or Rochefort, 1,600, 29s.; Charente, 750,
30s.; Alicante, 1,200, 60s.

Newport to Alicante. 1,500, 60s.; Genoa, Savona, Spezzia,
or Leghorn, 3,800, 77s. 6d., July 10; 7,000, 70s.; Oporto,
1,400, 40s.; Aguilas, 65s., Julv 15.

Port Talbot to Rouen, 3,700, 23s. 6d.: 1,200, 24s. 6d.;
Marseilles, 3,400, 70s.; Trcuville, 700, 24s.; Havre, 650,
23s. fid.: Algiers, 2,300, 50s.; Granville, 600, 24s.; Alicante,
1,200, 60s.

Glasgow to Genoa, Savona, or Leghorn, 87s. 6d.; Bor-
deaux, 37s.; Gibraltar, 3,000, 40s.

Hull to Dunkirk, 430, 29s. 6d.; Rouen, 2,000. 27s. 6d.

Mersey to Gibraltar, 42s. 6d.

Leith to Rouen, 29s. fid.

Tees to Gravelines, 280, 30s., pig iron.

Forth to Christiania, 1,000, 35 kr.

____________________________

Dr. W. W. Cook, of West Hartlepool, has been appointed
medical referee under the Workmen's Compensation Act for
County Court Circuit No. 2, particularly for West Hartlepool,