536 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. March 16, 1917. legislation. Some industries do, it is true, already possess organisations of this character. The Mining Association of Great Britain is an admirable example. But there are many branches of manufacturing industry which are not yet organised at all, and others which are only imperfectly equipped for united action. Even if every manufacturing industry possessed an adequate organisation, there would still be room for a federation embodying all these separate entities, and qualified to speak authoritatively for industry as a whole. But it is necessary to recognise clearly at the outset that there is a fundamental distinction to be drawn between the manufacturing interests on the one hand and the producers of raw material on the other. The interests of these two classes are sometimes in conflict, and any complete fusion between them would appear to be at present impracticable, although in many directions co-operation may be possible. Mr. Docker referred to the experience gained lately in Sweden, where, some six years ago, a Federation of Industries was formed, with the result that no action, such as might affect industry, is now taken by the Swedish Government without previous consultation with the federation. Mr. Wallenberg, the' president of the Swedish Federa- tion of Industries, attributes the strength of his organisation to its truly representative character, and to its steady refusal to adopt any hide-bound programme of policy. It may perhaps be here objected that this same function is already discharged by some existing associations. The Mining Association of Great Britain certainly does command the ear of the Government, and is a model of efficiency and repre- sentative authority in all matters relating to mining. The Employers’ Parliamentary Association has aimed at a similar object in regard to manufacturing interests. Other bodies, such as the British Manu- facturers’ Association, the British Empire Producers’ Association, and the Engineering Employers’ Federa- tion have in view closely allied functions. But without in any way detracting from the usefulness of these last-named organisations, there still seems to be a distinct need for the co-ordination of their efforts, whereby they would gather cumulative strength and irresistible authority. Not one of them, nor even all of them combined, can be ' considered as representing British industry as a whole. There appear to be, in every industrial question, at least three points of view—viz., those of the individual, those of the industry, and those of the nation—shall we add a fourth, those of the Empire ? A case in point has just arisen in regard to the Indian cotton duties. How shall this question be rightly considered unless all the above four points of view are given their proper weight ? This is an admirable example of the kind of work a federation of associations might perform, and no more difficult a task could often be found than the discovery of a truly imperial solution where so many conflicting interests are concerned. The Federation of British Industries might, we think, have been well-advised to have adopted a still wider title, the Federation of Imperial Interests, although the distinction in these strenuous times is almost without significance. We are glad to see that the Federation of British Industries proposes to consider questions of economic policy. Amongst these, attention is to be given to the relations between capital and labour, and an effort is to be made to promote that atmosphere of friendliness and co-operation without which there can be no satisfactory understanding between employers and employed. Might we suggest even the possibility that the trade unions might, not improperly, be represented in the Federation ? It would be a bold step, but one that might be i-mmensely productive of good results. Amongst other important matters, Mr. Docker spoke of the elimination of excessive competition among individual firms, and of an alliance between organised finance and organised industry, as foreshadowed in the suggested institution of a Trade Bank, somewhat akin in its activities to the Deutsche Bank, and similar establishments, which have done so much for German manufacturing industry. Then there is the all-important question of organised education—an immense subj ect, in which the assistance of honorary scientific members is to be invited, whose advice would be sought in all the deliberations of the Federation. So wide and far-reaching a programme has never before been taken seriously in hand in this country. With a membership of 269 firms and 50 affiliated associations, a good start has been made, and the progress of the enterprise will be watched with interest throughout the Empire. LAW INTELLIGENCE. COMMERCIAL COURT.—March 12. Before Mr. Justice Sankey. Coke Cargo Contract. A. Weir and Company v. Importers Company Limited.— Judgment was delivered in this case. Through their Middlesbrough office the plaintiffs sold 2,000 tons of foundry coke to 'a M. Doorlen, of Gravelines, to whom the defendants supplied tonnage. One of these vessels took coke from New- castle to Gravelines, although admittedly no charter-party had been signed. Doorlen refused to accept delivery or to ■pay freight-. As the matter stood, the defendants would not give the cargo up till they got the freight and demurrage, whilst the plaintiffs said they had merely shipped the coke f.o.b., and had nothing to do with the dispute between Doorlen and the defendants. Then the cargo was sold to Mr. Doorlen at a little over its Newcastle value, not its value, plus freight. The defendants said they would only hand over the money after deducting freight. His lordship held that the defendants had established no contract by the plaintiffs to pay freight, .and he gave the plaintiffs judgment for £750 and costs. COURT OF SESSION, SCOTLAND. SECOND DIVISION.—March 8. Before the Lord Justice Clerk and Lords Salvesen and Guthrie. Sale of Pit Props. Wulfsberg and Company v. J. L. Jacob and Company.— In this case, the pursuers, Wulfsberg and Company, timber merchants, 22, St. Mary Axe, London, had been ordered by Sheriff-Substitute Thompson, at Glasgow, to pay the expenses of James L. Jacob and Company, timber mer- chants, Hope-street, Glasgow, in connection with the re-sale of a cargo of Swedish pit props. The contract had been repudiated on the ground of insufficiency of period allowed for discharging the cargo, insufficient insurance, .and the unusual character of the charter-party, in the Swedish language, which the defenders said they signed before they discovered its unusual character in a translation. The Division held that the allotted period, 15 days, was not an unusual one for discharging cargo, and decided against the defenders on a question of demurrage. A decree for £250 was granted. PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE. HOUSE OF COMMONS.-March 12. Miners’ Wages. Mr. Duncan Millar asked what arrangements had been made by the Controller of Mines with regard to the employ- ment >and rates of pay of men engaged in the mining industry. Mr. G. Roberts replied that no alteration had been made in the existing arrangements. Mr. Hazleton asked if the Controller was going to take over the Irish mines. Mr. Roberts said he was not awTare th at'there wTere mines in Ireland to take over. Coal Prices. Mr. Roberts, replying to Capt. D. Hall concerning the high retail price of coal in the Isle of Wight, said that the Controller of Coal Mines was again drawing the attention of the local authorities to the desirability of an understand- ing with the coal merchants similar to the understanding in other localities. Colliery Accidents. Mr. Wing asked whether the Home Secretary was aware of the increase of fatalities to underground workers in coal mines from falls of the roof and sides; and what steps were being taken to prevent this increased loss of life. Sir G. Cave replied that the increase was probably to be accounted for by the loss of many of the more experienced workmen, the general speeding-up of work, and other condi- tions arising out of the present emergency. The inspectors paid constant and close attention to the matter, and every effort was made to enforce compliance with the timbering regulations and the adoption of all possible precautions. Mr. Wing asked whether the Home Secretary was aware that “ death from natural causes ” had become a common verdict in fatalities caused by falls of roof, and was assured that the question was not based on facts. March 14. Control of Mines. Mr. D. Millar asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade what financial arrangements had been entered into by the Controller of Mines with the mine owners in connection with the taking over of the mines, and how the profits earned under the new scheme would be allocated; also what arrange- ment had been made for settling wage questions. Mr. Roberts replied that he was not yet in a position to make a statement regarding the financial arrangements. Something had appeared in the Press. No alteration had been made in the arrangements for dealing with wage questions. Coal Mines Regulation (Amendment) Bill.* • The Home Secretary explained that the Bill was merely designed to extend to shale oil and certain other mines the eight hours system now applied to coal mines. The Bill was read a second time, and then committed to a Committee. March 15. Home-Grown Timber Committee. In reply to General Sir Ivor Herbert, Sir R. Winfrey said that the President of the Board of Agriculture had con- sented to the transfer of the work and staff of the Home- Grown Timber Committee to the War Office, and it was necessary, consequently, to dissolve the Committee. A large amount of pitwood and poles (50,000 tons) had been pro- duced, on which class of work German prisoners had been employed. * See page 533 of this issue. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, March 15. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. The collieries in the west of Scotland continue to do a fair business, owing to the large industrial demand, including most classes of fuel, supplemented by heavy household requirements; consequently the shrinkage in the export department is not so detrimental to the trade as might otherwise have been the case. Shipments for the past week amounted to 77,205 tons, compared with 88,201 in the preceding week and 109,829 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices are unchanged. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’st week’sl Last year’s I prices. prices. prices. Steam coal 18/ -24/ 18/ -24/ 1 19/9-22/ Ell 19/ -22/ 19/ -22/ 22/6-24/ Splint 22/ -31/ 22/ -31/ 25/ -33/ Treble nuts 24/ 24/ 21/ -21/6 Double do. 22/ 22/ 20/ -20/6 Single do. . 20/ 20/ 19/6-19/9 IRON. No change of importance has occurred in the Scotch iron trade during the past week. There is no diminution in the demand for all classes of material, and plants everywhere are running as fully as the supplies of labour and raw materials will allow. In pig iron hasmatite is now practi- cally unobtainable apart from war work, while No. 1 quality ordinary brands are now also very scarce. Exports are confined to extremely small limits, and practically consist of greatly curtailed quantities of third grade iron. Prices are very strong, and though no official announce- ment of a change has been made, any additional charge within reason is being gladly paid by consumers for the small quantities of material available. 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. Conditions at the malleable iron works are also unchanged, and the production of steel bars still occupies first place. Crown quality iron bars are quoted at £15 per ton net for export, and mild steel bars about .£17 per ton for basis sizes. Machinery makers are very well booked up, and structural and other engineers have a repletion of good business. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. Business in the Lothians district is fairly good at present, notwithstanding the curtailment of the export trade. Con- siderable quantities are being taken for the Admiralty, which along with the day-to-day requirements help to keep things going. Exports amounted to 20,954 tons, against 17,155 in the preceding week and 21,694 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal... Current prices. 24/6 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. 25/ prices. 25/ -26/ Secondary qualities 23/ 23/6 23/ -24/ Treble nuts 24/ 24/ 23/ -24/ Double do 22/ 22/ 21/6-22/6 Single do 20/ 20/ 19/6-20/6 The position in Fifeshire is not so good. Collieries are finding it difficult to make up the loss of export turnover, and the situation is further complicated by a scarcity of railway wagons. Shipments only amounted to 11,376 tons, against 13,428 in the preceding week and 46,944 tons in the same week last year. Prices are a little easier. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Best screened navigation coal Current prices. 31/ 25/ .26/ 20/ • 24/ 22/ 19/ L’st week’s prices. 30/ -32/6 24/6-26/ 26/ 20/ 24/ 22/ 19/ Last year’s prices. 27/6-28/6 25.6-27/ 28/ 24/ -25/ 23/6-24/6 21/6-22/6 20/ -20/9 Unscreened do.... First-class steam coal Third-class do Treble nuts Double do Single do The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 109,535 tons, compared with 118,784 in the preceding week and 178,467 tons in the corresponding week of last year.