390 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. February 23, 1917. to this principle, just as Cobden himself did. But after our late experience it would be pure folly to put any faith in such idealistic notions. There are doubtless others who, while admitting that upon ethical, national and Imperial grounds tariffs may be intelligible, nevertheless believe that they cannot be defended from an economic standpoint. To support this view all the old stock arguments will almost certainly be revived; but they can scarcely touch the main question, which is the removal of the grave danger to which our past policy has exposed us, and which, if revived, would certainly lead to the direct commercial ascendancy of our present rivals in arms. Much of the discussion upon this question in the past has been purely academic, and the arguments break down utterly in the light of experience gained during the war. The country has had a rude awakening. We are, after all, a practical people. The Germans have played the confidence trick upon ui§ once, but it will not be easy to do so again. We agree heartily with the opinions expressed in the letter addressed by Lord Balfour’s Committee to the Prime Minister, in which they say that abstract opinions should not, under the circumstances in which we are placed, and with the experience that the war has given us, stand in the way of any measures which are vital to the general interests of the Empire. No selfish objects are involved in these proposals, which are put forward in the sole desire of strengthening and consolidating the British Empire. THE L01D0H COAL TRADE. Thursday, February 22. Business has settled down to something like its normal condition, except that supplies are coming forward slowly. The wet weather has interfered with carting arrangements. In the City certain restrictions as to the hours of delivery have been modified. Empties are still scarce at the colliery end, and some of the collieries report having lost time in consequence. The railway deliveries have improved, but the shortage of labour at the various depots, and in many cases the “ slackers ” and the antagonistic attitude of the carmen and loaders, made matters worse. Absenteeism is at once reported to the recruiting officials, and a visit by the police, pointing out that the regulations expressly provide for the discontinuance of “ exemption,” has had a very salutary effect. The sending of the troops by the War Office, accom- panied by motor lorries, to help in the various centres in the delivery of coal, nroved an invaluable boon in many directions, especially in the poorer localities; but many householders are still short of supplies. The attendance on the Exchange has been very good during the week, and it is noticeable that the restrictions in the train service compel the earlier departure of the bulk of the colliery representa- tives who come from a distance. The depots are calling out for better supplies, and in some quarters the position is serious, especially in view of the large number of orders constantly coming in, -and the heavy arrears still unexecuted. Steam coals are in strong demand, ibut the supply is totally inadequate. Chartering at the Tyne and Humber ports is slow. Shipments for Norway have been resumed, but the vessels are exceedingly scarce. Fixtures have been made for London from the Humber at 17s. to 17s. 6d., and from the Tyne at 18s. per ton.; f.o.b. prices 'are stationary, but the heavy demand for the inland trade makes all export trade very slow. For Monday’s market 16 cargoes arrived in the Biver Thames, and eight for Wednesday, but all were contract coals. A notice was posted on the door of the Coal Merchants’ Subscription Boom on Monday to the effect that the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis and the < Commissioner of the City Police would offer no objection, during this exceptional period, to coal being delivered at any time, provided no congestion or obstruction was caused in busy thoroughfares. From Messrs. Dinham Fawcus and Company’s Report. Friday, February 16.—The seaborne house coal market keeps very firm, with a good enquiry, but no cargoes at present coming forward. Cargoes, 16. Monday, February 19.—The slight change in the weather caused no change in the demand for seaborne house coal to-day, but no sales were reported. Cargoes, 16. Wednesday, February 21. — The seaborne house coal market was again without alteration to-day, there being no cargoes on offer. Cargoes, 8. Sir Bampfylde Fuller, K.C.S.I., C.I.E., has undertaken charge of the Department of the War Office which controls the purchase and use of timber (including imports) in the United Kingdom, and also the stimulation of the felling of timber. His office is Caxton House, Tothill-street, West- minster. The Institute of Metals.—A special feature of the forth- coming spring meeting of the Institute of Metals, to be held on March 21 and 22 iin the rooms of the Chemical Society, Burlington House, will be a general discussion on metal melting. The president, Sir George Beilby, LL.D., F.B.S., the head of the new Government Board of Fuel Besearch, will occupy the chair. A number of papers bear- ing on all phases of the question of the melting of the non- ferrous metals, whether by high-pressure or low-pressure gas, coke, oil fuel, or electricity, will be read. On account of. Caxton House having been commandeered by the War Office, the address of the institute will in future be 36, Victori a-street, London, S.W. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, February 22. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. Conditions in the Scotch coal trade are not altogether encouraging. The continued shortage of tonnage and licensing difficulties keep the export turnover within very small limits, and the position is not improved by the scarcity of railway wagons. In the meantime the situation is relieved by the heavy demand for industrial and household supplies for local consumption, but should this fail the result would be far from satisfactory. In the West of Scotland district all classes of coal are moving off freely, mostly for local requirements. Shipments during the past week amounted to 87,864 tons compared with 91,626 in the preceding week and 92,800 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal Current prices. 18/ -24/ 19/ -23/6 22/ -31/ 1 24/ 22/ 20/ L’st week’s prices. 18/ -24/ 19/ -23/6 22/ —31/ 24/ 22/ 20/ Last year’s prices. 19/ -22/ 22/6-23/ 24/ -34/ 21/ —21/6 19/9-20/6 19/3-19/9 Ell Splint Treble nuts Double do Single do IRON. Manufacturers generally in the Scotch iron trade are overwhelmed with work, chiefly on Government account. War requirements continue to increase quicker than the output, and consequently the amount of material available for ordinary distribution is becoming less and less. Markets have not been affected to any extent by the situation in America, owing to the fact that for a considerable period our manufacturers have been, as far as possible, dispensing with imported material. In the pig iron trade the demand is unabated. Haematite is in large request for consumption! at the local steel works, while the output of ordinary brands is quickly disposed of to local iron works. Prices are unchanged, and 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. Pig iron warrant stocks now amount to 4,033 tons, compared with 5,338 tons at the end of 1916, and 116,098 tons at the end of 1915. Firm conditions rule in the malleable iron trade, and where prompt delivery is given very high prices are asked. Many of the mills are producing steel, and outputs of iron are limited. “ Crown” quality iron bars are quoted round about .£15 per ton net for export, and mild steel bars <£17 per ton for basis sizes. Makers of bolts and nuts are hard pressed, while the activity on the Clyde will keep all departments of the engineering trade busy for some time’ Exports generally are practically at a standstill. --------«£>------- Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Conditions in the Lothians coal trade show no change. Exports are dwindling, but outputs are easily disposed of for local consumption, and practically no addition is being made to stocks. Shipments for the week amounted to 17,289 tons, against 19,234 tons in the preceding week and 25,494 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best screened steam coal... 25/6 25/6-26/ 23/ -24/ Secondary qualities 24/6 24/6 21/6-22/6 Treble nuts 24/6-25/ 24/6-25/ 23/ -23/6 Double do 22/6 22/6 21/6-22/6 Single do 20/ 20/ 19/6-20/ Business in Fifeshire is on the same lines as last week. Shipping is idle, but local requirements keep the collieries well employed. Shipments were 23,101 tons, against 25,275 tons in the preceding week and 52,392 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. coal 30/ -33/ 30/ -33/ 27/ -28/ Unscreened do..... 24/6-26/6 24/6-26/6 * 1 1 25/ -26/ First-class steam coal 27/ 27/ 26/ Third-class do 20/ 20/ 19/ -20/ Treble nuts ' 24/ 24/ 22/ -23/6 Double do 22/ 22/ 21/ -22/ Single do 19/ -19/ 18/6-19/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports amounted to 128,266 tons, compared with 136,135 in the preceding week and 170,686 tons in the corresponding week of last year. ■Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. N ewcastle-upon-Ty ne. COAL. Those connected with the Newcastle coal market continue to have to subsist mainly on hope. Business has been at an almost absolute standstill, chiefly because of the scarcity of collier tonnage, a scarcity which may be gauged from the fact that the list of vessels chartered for Tyne loading comprises eight in all, of which three are small boats fixed for delivery of coke to North France, two medium-sized vessels to carry coal to London, one a small steamer for Gothenburg, another a small vessel to take coke to West Italy and the eighth a 2,400-tonner to convey coal to Gibraltar. Under the circumstances, there has been nothing for “coalmen” to do but to “whistle for better weather.” There has been absolutely no change in nominal selling prices during the week, although buyers who could take prompt delivery are in a position to demand consider- able discounts. Such buyers, however, appear to be non est at present. The production of coal still continues at a rate considerably in excess of that at which it can be transported and, as a result, stocks continue to accumulate, and the amount of time during which it is necessary, as a sheer act of self-defence against a weakening market, for collieries in Northumberland and Durham to be laid idle, is steadily increasing. It is doubtful whether collieries producing coal for export are at present working half-time. There is a large amount of enquiry in the forward market, especially for March shipment, but, in view of the uncertainty as to tonnage supplies, transactions are maturing very slowly indeed. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Steam coals :— Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... 30/ 30/ 30/ -32/6 Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) 28/ 28/ 32/6 Secondary, Blyths 22/ -24/ 22/ -24/ ' 27/6-30/ Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... 22/6-25/ 22/6-25/ 28/ -30/ Unscreened 20/ -22/6 20/ -22/6 25/ -26/ Small, Blyths 18/ -19/ 18/ -19/ 15/ -16/ Do. Tynes 17/ -18/ 17/ -18/ 14/ -15/ Do. specials 19/ -20/ 19/ -20/ 17/6-18/ Other sorts:— Smithies 20/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 25/ -26/ Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) 26/ -28/ 26/ -28/ 26/ Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 24/6-25/ Special gas coals 31/ -33/ 31/ -33/ 27/ Unscreened bunkers, Durhams 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 24/ -27/ Do. do. N orthumbrialis 19/ -21/ 19/ -21/ 26/ Coking coals 20/ -21/ 20/ -21/ 25/ Do. smalls 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 24/ House coals 27/ -30/ 27/ -30/ 32/6-35/ Coke, foundry 40/ -42/6 40/ -42/6 40/ -42/6 Do. blast-furnace 40/ -42/ 40/ -42/ 40/ Do. gas 30/ -32/ 30/ —32/ 27/ -28/ Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 45,420 tons of coal, as compared with 61,645 tons of coal and 270 tons of coke for the corresponding period of 1916, being a decrease of 16,225 tons of coal and 270 tons of coke. The coal market shows no change. In the absence of tonnage on offer, business continues very small; there are, however hopes that with the expected resumption of shipments to Norway, Norwegian tonnage will shortly begin to come this way again. The outlook is therefore regarded more favour- ably, and there is a somewhat fuller enquiry for later loading. At the moment, however, the collieries are losing a good deal of time, and all classes of coal are on offer for prompt loading, and prices are nominal and weak with a continued drooping tendency; really the market is alto- gether in a stagnant and uninteresting condition, and some of the prices now ruling are the lowest that have been experienced for 12 months. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 26/ 26/ 27/6 Secondary do. House coals:— 19/6 19/ 25/ Best house coals 30/ 30/ 35/ Ordinary do Other sorts :— 24/ 23/ 30/ Lambton screened 29/6 29/ 32/6 South Hetton do 29/6 29/ 32/6 Lambton unscreened ... 17/6 18/3 26/ South Hetton do. 17/6 18/3 25/6 Do. treble nuts 21/ 22/6 28/ Coking coals unscreened 18/6 ■ 19/ 26/ Do. smalls 17/6 17/6 25/ Smithies 19/ 19/6 27/ Peas and nuts 22/6 23/ 28/ Best bunkers 18/6 19/6 27/6 Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 17/ 17/ 25/ Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 43/ 45/ 42/6 Teesside furnaces) ... 28/ 28/ 30/ Gas coke 31/ 30/6-31/ 26/6 Outward chartering is practically at a standstill owing to the scarcity of tonnage, the only fixtures being to limit- ation ports.