558 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN September 22, 1916. because they are the most recent available, and because they apply to a period above all others critical in the history of the Empire. It is not to be implied that absenteeism of this order of magnitude is confined to this one coal field. But it is to be hoped that none are worse. It is stated that in another area, where a bonus for attendance during Bank holiday week was actually paid, the men worked to secure the bonus, and slacked in the following week for the purpose of spending their surplus cash. Surely there must be something in the getting of coal which blunts the moral sense of some of the miners. Yet notone of these men would desert their companions in danger in the pit. Why do they abandon their comrades in the trenches ? GOVERNMENT AND COAL CONTROL. With regard to the rumours that have been spread during the week, based on Lord Milner’s consultations with representatives of the mining industry, the Press Bureau has issued the following statement:— Certain misconceptions appear to be current as a result of statements which have recently appeared in the Press with reference to an alleged proposed scheme for Government control of coal. Home supplies of coal are already dealt with under the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act, and administra- tively by the Board of Trade, and no change is con- templated in this direction. Export and bunkers are controlled by various committees acting under Government direction, and supplies to France, Russia, and Italy are proceeding, and will continue to proceed, under existing arrangements. Lord Milner’s enquiries will lead to closer co-opera- tion between the various committees dealing with the coal question; but no change (in Government policy is in contemplation, although in the light of any new facts which may arise, the Government cannot under- take that they will not find changes necessary from time to time. MINERS’ FEDERATION AND COAL SUPPLIES. Mr. Stephen Walsh, M.P., president of the workmen’s section of the Coal Conciliation Board for England and North Wales, presided at a conference'of delegates from the mining districts of the Federated area in England and North Wales, held at the Grand Hotel, Blackpool, on Thursday, about 350,000 workmen being represented. Mr. Walsh said that from the inception of the Board in 1894 to the present time, they in the Federated area had refrained from unduly pressing the advantages which the ordinary operations of supply and demand might have given them, and in every agreement regulating wages for the area they had accepted a maximum figure, beyond which they would not claim any advance, though on many occasions selling prices continued to increase. A barrier must be placed against the continued increases in the price of the commo- dities necessary to the miners’ life, for in the words of a well-known statesman, “ there was a limit to human endur- ance,” and regulation of the prices of food and of all essen- tial commodities was urgently required if the country was not to be faced with a serious wage controversy. In the course of the negotiations with the employers’ representatives over the recent wage advances, no point had been so strongly urged by them in opposition to the workmen’s claims as the great increase in the cost of production, and in no single commodity necessary for the working of the mine had the increase been so marked as in pit timber. Surely the remedy for such a state of things was to initiate large schemes of afforestation. The following were elected to form the workmen’s side of the Board for the coming year :—Mr. S. Walsh, M.P., presi- dent; Mr. T. Ashton, secretary; Mr. J. Hoskin, treasurer. Committee : Messrs. H. Smith, Fred Hall, M.P., S. Roebuck (Yorkshire); J. McGurk, J. Butler (Lancashire and Cheshire); S. Finney, M.P., J. Richards (Midland Federa- tion); J. G. Hancock, M.P., C. Bunfield (Nottinghamshire); F. Hall, F. Lee (Derbyshire); W. Buckley (Leicestershire and South Derbyshire); Ed. Hughes (North Wales). Engineering After the War.—A meeting was held at the Mansion House> London, on Wednesday, to discuss trade policy after the war, with special reference to the engineering industry. — The Lord Mayor, who presided, asked why it should not be possible to arrange now the generail terms of an industrial truce for the next five years. Such a settlement, with intelligent policy and skilful direction, would ensure that British engineering, after defeating the most terrible enemy in our records, would take the leading part in the most astonishing era of mechanical progress in the history of the world. He moved a resolution expressing apprecia- tion of the great national service rendered by the munition workers, and hoping that permanent remunerative employ- ment would be secured in the vigorous economic development of the engineering industry after the war. — Mr. G. H. Roberts, M.P., declared that the working classes were not second in patriotism to any other class of the community. But for one or two glaring examples of breaking away from the national truce, they would not have to lament that there had been any unrest. They should foster a friendly under- standing between employers and employed, and the time to do it was now. After the war there must be justice to the worker and fairness to the employers.—The resolution was carried, as was also one moved by the Lord Mayor of Man- chester to the effect that the fundamental importance of the engineering industry in the future entitles it to special recog- nition in any form of a national and imperial commercial policy, and to the patriotic support of all public and private users of plant and machinery throughout the Empire.—Sir Oliver Lodge emphasised the importance of union between science and every branch of engineering. All must har- monise and co-operate. He believed we had been too poverty- stricken in many important directions.—Another resolution was carried expressing general approval of the proposals of the Paris Economic Conference, and recommending the immediate appointment of a Ministry of Industry. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, September 21. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. While the position of the west of Scotland coal trade shows little change on the week, there are signs of an early improvement. It is anticipated that when the price limitation scheme for Italy comes into operation that the market will assume a firmer attitude. A little relaxation in the restrictive measures now in force would also go a long way to relieve the depression. Tonnage continues very scarce, while licences to neutrals are practically unobtain- able. Shipments for the week amounted to 135,121 tons, compared with 107,123 tons in the preceding week and 129,691 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal | Ell Splint 1 Current 'L’st week’s'Last year’s ; prices. 1 prices. | prices. 20/ -25/ 20/ -27/6 , 15/ -17/ ; 24/ -25/ 23/ -25/ ! 17/6 > 25/ -35/ i 25/ -35/ 17/ -22/ 23/ 23/ i 18/ -19/ 22/ | 22/ • 16/6-17/ 21/ | 21/ 15/6—16/6 Treble nuts Double do Single do IRON. There is no diminution in the activity in the various departments of the Scotch iron trade, and works are being pressed to their utmost. All descriptions of Scotch pig iron are scarce. Makers are easily disposing of their outputs of haematite and ordinary brands to local consumers engaged on Government work, and deliveries outside of war require- ments are really out of the question. Pig iron warrant stores now amount to 16,309 tons, compared with 116,098 tons at the close of 1915. The prices of Scotch makers’ iron are quoted as follow:—Monkland and Carnbroe are quoted f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1, 125s., Nos. 3, 120s.; Govan, No. 1, 122s. 6d., N©. 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. There is little change in the malleable iron trade. The Government demand is large enough to keep the works employed for months ahead, and the amount of mercantile work passing through is of a negligible quantity. Crown iron bars, however, are still quoted <£14 12s. 6d. per ton, less 5 per cent, for home delivery, and £14 5s. to <£14 10s. per ton, net, for export. Black sheet makers are labouring under a shortage of raw materials, and outputs are affected accordingly. Supplies from America are very slow and irregular, and home producers are not able to give deliveries in sufficient quantities. The price continues about <£18 10s. per ton, net, for export. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The position in the Lothians is not all that could be desired. Steam coals are a trifle firmer, but the general tone of the market is still to the weak side. Shipments amounted to 39,082 tons, against 28,334 in the preceding week and 38,477 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. ! 1 prices. Best screened steam coal... 25/6 25/ 15/6 Secondary qualities 24/ 24/ 14/6 Treble nuts 23/ 23/ -24/ 19/ -20/ Double do 22/ 22/ -23/ 16/6-17/6 Single do 21/ 21/ -22/ 15/6-16/6 Conditions in the Fifeshire district are still easy, and, with the exception of first-class steams, business continues slow. Most sorts are plentiful and unchanged in price. Clearances for the week reached 53,468 tons, against 44,836 in the preceding week and 70,799 tons in the same period of last year. . Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current ! L’st week’s Last year’s Best screened navigation prices. ( i ■ prices. prices. coal ’ 40/ i 35/ -37/6 22/ -23/ Unscreened do 30/ -35/ i 30/ -32/6 20/ -21/ First-class steam coal 33/ -34/ 30/ -32/6 17/6-18/6 Third-class do 25/ -26/ 25/ -26/ 14/ -15/ Treble nuts 23/ -24/ 23/ -24/ 20/ -21/ Double do 22/ -23/ 22/ -23/ 17/ -18/ Single do 21/ -22/ 21/ -22/ 16/ -17/ The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 227,671 tons, compared with 180,293 in the preceding week and 238,967 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 114,900 tons of coal and 5,682 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, an increase of 16,316 tons of coal and a decrease of 658 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 34,540 tons of coal and 7,123 tons of coke, a decrease of 8,269 tons of coal and an increase of 3,560 tons of coke. Thus, the ship- ments from these two places totalled 162,245 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 8,066 tons when compared with those for the previous week, and an increase of 10,949 tons when compared with those for the corresponding week of last year. The prompt market is very much brighter and more active this week. Tonnage is coming forward in greatly improved supply, there are heavy requisitions of steams and Durham unscreened coals by the Admiralty, and although the detention of tonnage at French Atlantic ports is still excessive, even in that respect matters appear to be rather better. Trade has improved so materially that the surplus of spot supplies has now been taken up, and at the time of writing there are few sellers for prompt ship- ment, and these are holding for rather firmer figures. F.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have varied, as follows, on the week :—Best Bly th steams are stronger ; Tynes ditto ; Bly th seconds, 5s. reduced ; Bly th smalls, 2s. 6d. increased ; specials, 2s. 6d. to 5s. advanced; gas bests, in sellers’ favour; seconds, inclined to rise; specials, easier; un- screened Durham bunkers, 2s. to 4s. higher; Northumbrians, Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. reduced ; coking coals, firmer; households, 2s. 6d. to 5s. cheaper; coke, foundry, easier; blastfurnace, weaker. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. The weakness in coke is attributable to the refusal of numerous applications for export licences. A sale of from 10,000 to 12,000 tons of patent foundry coke, for delivery over the next six months, is reported at 37s. 6d. per ton, f.o.b. Tyne bunkers have been sold for delivery over next year to neutral buyers at 31s. for inferior sorts, and 35s. for superior qualities. The Norwegian State Railways have invited telegraphed tenders of 18,500 tons of best steams for shipment next month. Replies are expected about the end of this week. Little comment has been caused thus far by the rumour that the Government intends to take over the administration of the coal supplies, although the step is recognised as being within the bounds of possibility. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. 1 Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coals :— ! prices. prices. prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 38/ -40! 37/ -40/ 17/6-18/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 38/ -40/ 35/ -40/ 16'6-17/ Secondary, Blyths j 30/ 30/ -35/ 16/ Do. Tynes (Hastings) or West Hartleys) ...I 30/ -35/ 30/ -35/ 16/ -16/6 Unscreened <..) 25/ -30/ 25/ -30/ ' 14/ -15/ Small, Blyths ■ 25/ 22/6 12/ Do. Tynes 20/ -22/6 20/ -22/6 : n/ , Do. specials | 25/ -27/6 i 22/6 j 13/6-14/ Other sorts:— 1 Smithies ; 25/ 25/ 16/ -16/6 Best gas coals (New) Pelton or Holmside): 32/ -33/ 30/ -33/ 19/ Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) j 26/ -27/6 I 25/ -27/6 16/6 Special gas coals | 34/ -35/ ; 1 35/ j 20/ Unscreened bunkers, | j Durhams! 22/ -26/ | 18/ -24/ 14/6-16/6 Do. do. | Northumbrians j 21/ -25/ ! i 22/6-27/6 ! 14/ -15/ Coking coals j 25/ ' 22/6 -25/ i 15/6-16/6 Do. smalls 20/ -22/6 20/ -22/6 15/ House coals | 37/6-40/ 40/ -/45 18/ -19/ Coke, foundry <■ 38/ -45/ . 40/ -45/ 27/ -32/ Do. blast-furnace ! 36/ -40/ 37 6-40/ 1 25/ Do. gas j 33/ -35/ 33/ -35/ j 28/ -30/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 55,215 tons of coal and 65 tons of coke, as compared with 54,985 tons of coal and 1,010 tons of coke for the corres- ponding period of 1915. There is decidedly a better tone in the coal market, and an improved supply of prompt tonnage. Trade is being resumed with Holland. Shipments are going forward more regularly. Admiralty requisitioning continues on a good scale, and the enquiry from Italy is asserting itself more prominently in view of these favour- able factors the collieries show more firmness in holding out for full market values, while second hands are not so ready to operate except at an advance. Gas coals are firmer, coking coals are more in request and are better stemmed, the improvement in bunkers is maintained ; it is said that superior brands have been sold for delivery over next year at 35s. a ton for neutral shipment combined with other brands at 31s. a ton. Tenders have gone forward to the Norwegian State Railways for 18,500 tons of best steam coal for shipment in October and up to the 10th of November. Replies are expected at the end of this week, but prices are ne t yet known. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 35/ 32 6 i 20/ Secondary do. House coals:— 26/ 27/6 : 16/6-16/9 Best house coals 37/6 27/6 35/ i 19/ Ordinary do Other sorts:— 27/ ' 17/ Lambton screened 37/ 37/6 : 20/ South Hetton do 37; 37/6 1 20/ Lambton unscreened ... 22/ 23/ 15/9 South Hetton do 22/ 23/ 1 15/6 Do. treble nuts 25/6 26/6 I 16/6 Coking coals unscreened 21/ 22/ 15/9 Do. smalls 20/ 20/6 15/6 Smithies 22/6 22/6 16/ -16/6 Peas and nuts 25/6 26/6 18/6 Best bunkers 26/ 24/6 16/6 Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 20/ 20/6-21/ 15/ Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 40/ 40/ 28/6 i Teesside furnaces) ... 28/ 28/ 25/ Gas coke 33/ 32/6-35/ 26/6 The freight market is steady to firm, Mediterranean being better. Recent fixtures include Genoa 72s. 6d., Savona 72s. 6d., Oran 42s. 6d , Leghorn 72s. 6d., Marseilles 70s., London 12s., Malmo 27 kr., Bilbao 42s. 6d., besides various fixtures to the French ports at limitation rates. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. The fuel market is rather quiet, but steady. Supply of nearly all descriptions is fairly plentiful, but demand is considerable, and collieries take a cheerful view of the near future. Deliveries of gas coal show improvement. Best Durhams are put at 30s. to 31s., and secondary qualities are being disposed of at 25s. As regards bunker coals some