1170 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN December 15, 1916. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ have, in some cases, been allowed to pass under the control of foreign manufacturers ; while, in ___________________________________________________ other cases, costly supplies have been imported from abroad when they have been available close at hand. He proceeded to show what an important part is played by iron ore and coal deposits in defining the political and militarist policy of Germany. This question is abundantly illustrated by the minette ores of Lorraine and the coal fields of the Saar, and he appropriately quotes a recently expressed view that Germany has not been slow to realise that “ coal and iron are basic elements of power, of independence— nay, of existence itself—in the life of a State.” We wonder whether our own Foreign Office has ever pondered over such things, and whether it has ever been realised, in that abode of high diplomacy, that balance of power, and similar abstractions, can _______ depend upon such concrete and commercial things as coal and iron, which were of relatively small importance in those ancient republics whose classical history forms almost the exclusive mental pabulum of so many modern legislators. In connection with the minette deposits of Lorraine, it is interesting to note that, although the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1 brought these ores into German possession, they were at that time of small importance because their high phosphoric acid content rendered them unsuitable for steel manu- facture. It was not until the discovery of the basic process by Thomas and Gilchrist in 1880 that the development of this iron field became active, and since that time 300 million tons of ore from this area has gone to furnish the Essen and other works with the raw material of the “ blood and iron policy ” of Germany. Prof. Fearnsides examines, with his characteristic lucidity, the question whether the British Empire can be self-supporting in the matter of raw materials for iron and steel manufacture. There are abundant supplies both orf iron ore and coal in India, Australia and Canada, and it is safe to predict that ultimately these Dominions will possess important metallurgical industries of their own, built up by British capital and sustained by British enterprise. In the mean- time, the home production of iron and steel, stimulated by the war and purged of its pre-war dependence upon German sources, has not yet reached its zenith; but the complexities of the position can only be adequately realised by a close study of Prof. Fearnsides’ comprehensive paper. Coming next to the non-ferrous metals, discussed by Prof. Cullis, the arguments for more effective Government interest and control are even more weighty. Prof. Cullis shows that in respect of the production of lead, zinc, copper and aluminium the imperial position is wanting in independence and security. He explains, too, how these defects can ________ _______ best be removed. It is too long a story to recapitulate here, but it is impossible to read this paper without expressing admiration for the light which it throws upon all the dark corners of our policy, or rather want of policy, heretofore. Prof. Cullis appeals for a broad-minded and business-like constructive reorganisation, and he refers to the memorial recently addressed to the Advisory Council for Scientific and ... Industrial Research by the councils of four of our largest mining and metallurgical institutions, in favour of a special Government Department to promote the ____________________________________________________ welfare of these important industries. A department of minerals and metals would certainly, as he says, do much to give security and order to what is now full of danger and disorder. We trust that Sir Albert Stanley, the new President of the Board of Trade, will find time to read these two papers, not, however, with the view of attempting to meet the situation by any kind of re-shuffling of this overweighted and already too diffused department.' The machinery of the Board of Trade is not adaptable to the purpose. The mineral and metal industries are too important and too vital to be treated as mere units in the general commercial activity of the nation. They are key industries in the truest sense, and special treatment is necessary to develop them to their fullest ______ capabilities. The Society of Engineers has performed a national service in affording an opportunity for the discussion of these imperial questions. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, December 14. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Scotland.—Western District. COIL. Business in the west of Scotland coal trade continues dull, and there is not much prospect meantime of an early improvement. Enquiries and orders are fairly plentiful, but fixtures cannot be carried through owing to the scarcity of tonnage. Sales for local consumption are fully maintained, and the demand for household, gas and furnace coal is well up to the average. Ell coals are weak all round, and steams also are very easy. Splints, on the other hand, are in good request, while navigations are firm round about 30s. to 32s. per ton. The shipments for the week amounted to 118,376 tons, compared with 90,421 in the preceding week and 101,776 tons in the same week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current prices. Steam coal........... 20/ -25/ Ell ................. 22/ -24/ Splint................I 25/ -30/ Treble nuts ...........j 23/ Double do.............; 22/ Single do. . __.......| 21/ IRON. The presstire for delivery of all classes of material for war work is keener than ever. Very little work can now be done apart from Government needs, and it is now almost impossible to negotiate ordinary mercantile business. In the pig iron trade the demand for haematite is still the principal feature, though the turnover in best qualities of ordinary brands is increasing rapidly. Outputs are almost entirely for home consumption, and exports, apart from shipments to the Allies, are practically a negligible quantity. Warrant stocks now amount to about 5,000 tons, compared with 116,098 tons at the end of 1915. The prices of Scotch makers’ iron are quoted 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. While official quotations show no alteration, it is understood that business is being done somewhat in excess of the above prices. Malleable iron makers are having a busy time. A number of the mills have been put on to the manufacture of steel owing to the abnormal demand, and the output of iron is curtailed accordingly. Crown quality iron bars are quoted <£14 12s. 6d. per ton net, for export, and mild steel bars <£16 10s. to <£17 per ton net, for basis sizes. In the black sheet trade, makers have very heavy order books, and the demand centres chiefly in the heavier gauges. Outputs are substantial, despite occasional stoppages due to irregular arrivals of raw materials. The price remains about <£18 5s. to <£18 10s. per ton net f.o.b. Glasgow. Business in galvanised sheets, both flat and corrugated, is slow, and mainly confined to Government orders. Wrought iron and steel tube makers are doing a steady turn-over. With regard to export trade generally, there is a constant stream of material to the Allies, but shipments to neutrals is slowly but surely diminishing. L st week s Last year s ! prices. I prices. I 20/ -25/ ■ 16/9-19/ | 22/6-25/ ! 20/ -21/ ! 25/ -32/ ! 20/ -25/ ! 23/ j 20/ j 22/ 19/6 I 21/ 18/6-19/ N e wcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 90,662 tons of coal and 8,251 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, an increase of 13,720 tons of coal and 2,799 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 27,321 tons of coal and 2,927 tons of coke, decreases of 15,656 tons of coal and 1,613 tons of coke. Thus, the total shipments from these two places amounted to 129,161 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 18,665 tons when compared with the figures for the previous week, and of 719 tons when com- pared with the clearances of a year ago. In view of the pressure in the demand for fuel, the figures bear eloquent testimony to the disastrous effects of the tonnage shortage. That shortage has continued unabated throughout the week under review. Trade has been exceedingly difficult of transaction, and the volume of coal sold and shipped cannot have been very large. On the week f.o.b. quota- tions for prompt shipment have varied as followBest Tyne steams are stronger; Blyth seconds, Is. to Is. 6d. reduced; Tynes, ditto; Blyth smalls, Is. to 2s. lower; Tynes, easier; specials, weaker ; gas specials, firmer; foundry coke, 2s. to 2s. 6d. advanced; and blastfurnace coke, 2s. dearer. Other descriptions of fuel are unaltered. It will be observed that steam large coal is rather more buoyant, a circumstance which only rendered itself visible in the middle of this week. All other descriptions of steams are in favour of buyers. The only other noteworthy change is in the coke section, where supplies are scarce and the demand is brisk. There is, generally speaking, nothing whatever wrong with the market save the want of carrying facilities - a fatal need, of course. The enquiry for coals shows no diminution, yet, because of the absence of cargo accommodation, many pits have had to work short time, a factor of extreme detriment to industrial and military operations at present. Sellers are inclined to hold off forward business until the promise of more steamers is realised, but the enquiry for fuel is urgent, and late quota- tions are easily upheld. Several lots of Tyne prime steams, aggregating from 40,000 to 50,000 tons, are stated to have been sold to merchants for shipment to neutral countries over next year at about 31s. 3d. per ton f.o.b. The Danish State railways are enquiring for offers of about 20,000 tons of best steams for January-February delivery, and a Danish municipality wants immediate tenders of 17,200 tons of gas bests and 1,600 tons of best steams for January shipment. Most of our Scandinavian customers, it will be noted, appear to be buying “from hand to mouth” nowadays. No news has yet been received as to the allotment of the Norwegian State Bail way s’ order for 14,000 tons for mid December to January 10 delivery. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Steam coals:— Current 1 L’st week’s (Last year’s prices. i prices. i prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 30/ 28/6-30/ 30/ 22/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 27/6-30/ 21/ Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings 24/ -26/6 25/ -27/6 ; 18/ or West Hartleys) ... 24/ -26/ ! 25/ -27/6 20/ -22/6 18/6-19/ Unscreened 20/ -22/6 16/6-17/ Small, Blyths 18/ -19/ 20/ 10/6-11/ Do. Tynes 17/ -17/6 ; 17/6 / 21/ : 10/ -10/6 Do. specials Other sorts:— 20/ -21/ j 13/ Smithies Best gas coals (New 20/ 20/ . 17/6-18/6 Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals 24/ -26/ ; 24/ -26/ 20/ (Pelaw Main or similar) 18/ -20/ 18 / -20/ i 18/6-19/ Special gas coals ......• 27/6 ; 25/ -27/6 22/ —23/ Unscreened bunkers, | , j Durhams’ 17/ -19/ J 17/ -19/ ! 19/6-/20 Do. do. | i ’ Northumbrians! 18/ -20/ j 18/ -20/ i 17/6 Scotland.—Eastern District. GOAL. Conditions in the Lothians coal trade are not very brisk, and collieries could easily deal with more orders for prompt delivery. Shipments for the past week amounted to 16,766 tons, compared with 17,668 in the preceding week and 35,471 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best screened steam coal... 25/ 27/ -28/ 19/6-20 Secondary qualities 23/ 26/ -27/ 18/6-19' Treble nuts 23/ -25/ 23/ -26/ ( 21/ -22/ Double do 22/ / “ i i 22/ | i i 18/ -19/6 Single do 21/ 21/ | 17/6-18/ In the Fifeshire district a steady trade is being done in first-class steams and navigations, but other qualities are practically without movement. Shipments were 52,949 tons, against 57,056 in the preceding week and 61,949 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. coal 30/ -35/ 30/ -35/ 23' -24/ Unscreened do 28/ -30/ 28/ -30/ 21/ -22/ First-class steam coal 28/ -30/ 28/ -32/6 21/ -22/ Third-class do 22/ 20/ 15/ -15/6 Treble nuts 23/ -25/ 23/ -25/ 20/ -22/ Double do 22/ 22/ 18/6-19/6 Single do 21/ 21/ 17/ -18/ The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during * the past week amounted to 188,091 tons, compared with 105,145 in the preceding week and 199,196 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Coking coals..........; 18/ -20/ i 18/ -20/ 19/ Do. smalls....| 17/ -18/ i 17/ -18/ 18/6 House coals ..........i 27/6-30/6 | 27/6-30/ ' 22/ Coke, foundry ..........; 40/ -45/ J 38/ -42/6 36/ -37/6 Do. blast-furnace......I 36/ -38/ | 34/ -36/ j 35/ Do. gas ..............j 33/ -35/ | 33/ -35/ j 27/ -30/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 45,535 tons of coal and 900 tons of coke, as compared with 62,925 tons of coal and 690 tons of coke for the corres- ponding period of 1915, being a decrease of 17,390 tons of coal and an increase of 210 tons of coke. The coal market continues depressed, for the tonnage position is as acute as ever, and merchants experience the greatest difficulty in fulfilling orders, which are still accumulating on their hands. The collieries are just able to keep at work, though Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Gas coals:— Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. ; prices. Special Wear gas coals 27/6 19/ 30/ 21/ Secondary do. House coals:— 26/ i 18/6 Best house coals 28/ 30/ i 23/ Ordinary do Other sorts:— 24/6 23/ j 20/ Lambton screened 28/6 30/ i 22/6 South Hetton do 28/6 30/ 22/ Lamb ton unscreened ... 17/ 18/ 18/ South Hetton do 17/ 18/ 18/ Do. treble nuts 20/ 21/ 17/9 Coking coals unscreened 16/6 17/6 18/6 18/ Do. smalls 16/3 17/ Smithies 17/6 18/ 18/6 Peas and nuts 18/6 20/ 21/ Best bunkers 18/6 18/6 20/ Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 16/ 16/6 18/6 Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 41/ 49/ 37/6 Teesside furnaces) ... 28/ 28/ 34/ Gas coke 32/6 31/ 28/