1084 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. June 8, 1917. ever, we should like to say that there is already adequate machinery for investigating them. Some of the younger men, however, are too impatient for the application of the procedure which has been set up for this purpose, and have tried to attain their object by shorter and less constitutional methods The trouble all along has been a question of discipline; and without attempting to prejudge the results of the work of the Commissions, it is obvious that no progress can be made towards improving the relations between Capital and Labour until some better means is found for maintaining discipline amongst the rank and file of the workers. An industrial army is in much the same position as a military army in this respect. It is important besides to bear in mind that this question has a twofold aspect. It bears not only upon the conduct of the war, but also upon the question of reconstruction when peace is restored. During the war conditions must remain abnormal, and it is impossible to avoid hardships and temporary grievances. As a class, the workers have responded splendidly to the demands made upon them in the national interest. What troubles there have been have been confined to a few, many of whom have been misled by idealists and theorists, and the majority of them may be regarded as mistaken and deluded victims of an impracticable policy. This, at any rate, is the most charitable view to take of the strange attitude of mind which has prompted them to withdraw their help at a critical time from their comrades who are dying for them day by day on the battlefields of Europe and beyond. The success of the Commission will depend, also, upon a fourth condition, not referred to by Mr. Asquith, who seems to have tacitly admitted the necessary truth of Mr. Montagu’s assumption that there is, in fact, a root cause of labour unrest. It is, however, possible that a certain measure of labour unrest is merely a condition inherent in evolution and development. In the organic world, progress is the result of continual conflict, and often of mutually destructive tendencies. To say that certain alleged grievances are the cause of labour troubles is not necessarily correct in all cases. They are more often merely the occasion for the manifestation of a mental attitude of the parties concerned, whether employers or employed. Perhaps it would be more correct to say that it is this mental attitude which is chiefly responsible for the friction that is thus set up. What is really wanted on both sides is the sweet spirit of reasonableness and sympathy, and the removal of suspicion and mistrust. If the Commissions only succeed in promoting these ends they will have done good work. THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, June 7. Dublin. Business is proceeding upon quiet lines, and there :ls no change in prices of any of the qualities. The advance in freights makes it improbable that there will be any move- ment in a downward direction just at present. Quotations stand as follow: Best Orrell, 44s. per ton net; Yorkshire brights, 43s.; best Wigan, 42s.; best slack, 36s.; steam coal, about 40s. per ton; house coal, retail, from 2s. lOd. to 3s. per sack of 10 st. Irish coals from Wolfhill Collieries, Queen’s County, are: Malting coal, 46s. per ton; house, gas, and steam coal, 40s.; lime culm, 16s.; fine culm, 12s. per ton—all f.o.r. Athy, the nearest rail- way connection with the mines. The Castlecomer Rural Council have requested a former Parliamentary represen- tative of North Kilkenny to use his influence with the Government on behalf of the claims of the Castlecomer Collieries to a railway, as an urgent war necessity. It is under consideration to extend the new line at present being constructed from Wolf hill to Athy, as far as Castle- comer, which is only a few miles distant. It is stated that an inspector is at present visiting disused mines in Ireland on behalf of the Mineral Development Department of the Ministry of Munitions. Inspections have already been made in the counties of Cork, Clare, and Tipperary, and the south-eastern counties are also to be visited. The object of the inspection is to ascertain how far abandoned workings may be developed under existing conditions. Belfast. Demand locally is about at a summer level, and prices are unchanged at late rates, viz.: Best Arley, 43s. 6d. per ton; Orrell nuts, 42s. 6d.; English house, 41s. 6d.; Scotch, 39s. 6d.; Orrell slack, 39s. 6d.; coke, from about 40s. to 48s. per ton. Irish coal at Craigahulliar, Port- rush, Co. Antrim, is 14s. per ton at the pithead, and 30s. per ton delivered in Belfast. The honours bestowed on the King’s birthday included a barony for Sir F. Smith, Bart, (a director of the Garswood Hall Colliery Company Limited)a baronetcy for Sir Richard Mathias, of Cardiff, and Sir Robert Hadfield; a Privy Councillorship for Mr. Thos. Ashton, secretary of the Miners’ Federation; and knight- hood for Mr. Edward Wood, principal of the Ocean Iron Works, Salford, Mr. Ebenezer Parkes, ironmaster, Bir- mingham, and Dr. R. T. Glazebrook, president of the Institution of Electrical Engineers. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, June 7. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. There is no change in the position of the Scotch coal trade. The tone in the market generally is still very depressed, and the outlook far from promising. Values for all descriptions of round coal incline to ease further, while smalls are comparatively steady. In the West of Scotland district local demands are fairly well sustained. Exports are now much reduced. Transport conditions, too, are unsatisfactory, and collieries have difficulty in securing a full week’s employment. Shipments for the week amounted to 109,941 tons compared with 109,426 in the preceding week and 116,875 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Steam coal Current prices. 17/6-20/6 18/6-20/6 21/ -26/ 23/6 22/ 20/ L’st week’s prices. 18/ -23/ 18/6-21/ 18/ -26/ 23/6 22/ 20/ Last year’s prices. 28/ -32/ 30/ -33/ 33/ -34/ 21/ -21/6 20/6-21/ 19/6-20/ Ell Splint Treble nuts Double do Single do IRON. Employment at the various iron works continues on very strenuous lines, and only in isolated cases of shortage of raw materials is a chance afforded of slackening off a little. Outputs are becoming more and more reserved for war purposes. Scotch pig iron is scarce. Hematite is ear- marked for home consumption, and No. 1 foundry is practically unobtainable, while No. 2 is far from plentiful. Shipments are confined to small consignments to Allied countries. Prices remain firm and unchanged. Monkland and Carnbroe are quoted 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. Ordinary users of malleable iron are finding it almost impossible to secure supplies, and though the quotation is still on the basis of .£15 5s. per ton for “ crown ” bars for export, much higher figures are touched for anything in the shape of prompt delivery. The engineering trades continue very active, and reports from the shipyards indicate good progress with all classes of work on hand. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. In the Lothians district a considerable amount of time is still lost through an almost entire lack of export business. Local demands are satisfactory enough, but are insufficient to keep collieries wholly employed. Shipments amounted to 18,483 tons, compared with 19,703 in the preceding week and 42,823 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal... Secondary qualities..... Treble nuts ............ Double do............ Single do............... Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices 20/ 20/6 42/6 18/ 18/ -20/ 40/ 22/ 22/ 24/ -26/ 20/ 20/ 22/ -24/ 19/ 19/ 21/ -22/ Conditions in Fifeshire as much the same as in the Lothians. Values are declining gradually, and prospects are not encouraging. The clearances were 17,867 tons, against 34,553 in the preceding week and 54,290 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. Best screened navigation coal 28/ 30/ 50/ Unscreened do... 24/ 24/ 40/ -45/' First-class steam coal 23/ 25/ 40/ -45/ Third-class do 19/ 20/ 32/ -37/6 23/ -25/ Treble nuts 24/ 24/ Double do 22/ 22/ 22/ -24/ Single do 19/ 19/ 20/ -22/ The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 146,291 tons, compared with 163,682 in the preceding week and 213,988 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL. There is very little movement in the prompt coal market this week, the shortage of tonnage on offer continuing to act as an effective barrier to business. Shipments Scandinavia-wise are improving, several boats having been chartered across there and sent here to discharge inward and take outward cargoes. Apart from this, however, the volume of business is very slight. Fortunately for the collieries, requisitioned tonnage continues to arrive in good supply for the purpose of taking fuel on official account. Northumbrian collieries are fairly well employed in this fashion, whilst the Durham pits are really busy. In the Northumberland coal section, large steams are very firmly maintained, but unscreened and small sorts are offering more plentifully, and are inclined to weaken in quotation. Durham coals are mostly steadily held at full late figures. Bunker supplies are adequate to meet the demand. Coke of all descriptions is scarce and in strong demand, and no difficulty is experienced by producers in commanding last week’s prices. The only changes in f.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment this week are that Blyth steam seconds are Is. per ton lower, special steam smalls Is. 6d. to 2s. cheaper, and gas specials Is. reduced. A few Scandinavian orders for steam coals are in circulation, but no details as to business done have yet transpired. Later— The Newcastle Committee for the Supply of Coal to Italy has announced that the War Trade Department has definitely declined to extend all the licences expiring at the end of June, but has promised to consider the extension of any which might be considered important. The Committee there- fore requests that all merchants wishing to have licences extended to the end of September will submit licence numbers and short particulars by not later than noon on Monday next. It is asked that merchants will only seek extension of licences for important consumers, as the number extended will be limited. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Steam coals:— Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... Unscreened Current prices. 30/ 28/ -30/ 21/ -22/ 22/6-23/ 18/ -20/ 18/ 16/ -17/ 17/6-18/ 21/ 25/ -26/ 17/6-19/ 29/ -30/ 16/6-19/ 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 16/ -18/ 27/6-30/ 40/ -42/6 ; o/ 30/ -32/ L’stweek’s prices. 30/ 28/.-30/ 22/ -23/ 22/6-23/ 18/ -20/ 18/ 16/ -17/ 19/ -20/ 21/ 25/ -26/ 17/6-19/ 30/ -31/ 16/6-19/ 18/ -20/ 18/ -20/ 16/ -18/ 27/6-30/ 40/ -42/6 40/ 30/ -32/ Last year’s prices. 62/6-65/ !60/ -62/6 50/ 55/ 40/ -50/ 35/ 28/ -30/ 35/ 37/6 37/6 36/ 37/6 37/ -40/ 40/ 37/6 35/ 55/ -65/ 47/6 44/ 28/ -30/ Small, Blyths Do. Tynes Do. specials Other sorts:— Smithies Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) Special gas coals Unscreened bunkers, Durhams Do. do. N orthumbrians Coking coals Do. smalls House coals Coke, foundry Do. blast-furnace Do. gas Sunderland. COAL. The coal market has opened this week with a fairly steady tone, consequent on a sufficient supply of prompt boats. Otherwise there is no change. The collieries are working with tolerable steadiness, and quotations remain nominal at the usual figures. Very little is doing outside of contract work. Steam smalls are still very plentiful, and easier in tone. Gas coals are unchanged. Bunker coals are unaltered, with the tone easy. Coking and smithy fuels are unchanged. Coke is still a strong market, with a good forward enquiry. Merchants are still looking forward to the official limitation of prices for neutrals. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Gas coals:— Special Wear gas coals Secondary do. House coals:— Best house coals Ordinary do Other sorts:— Lambton screened South Hetton do Lambton unscreened ... South Hetton do. Do. treble nuts Coking coals unscreened Do. smalls Smithies Peas and nuts Best bunkers Ordinary bunkers Coke Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. Teesside furnaces) ... Gas coke Current prices. 28/ -29/ 18/ -18/6 30/ 22/6 29/ 29/ 18/ 18/ 20/ 18/6 17/ -17/6 21/ 22/ 17/6-18/ 15/6-16/6 41/ 28/ 31/ L’stweek’s prices. 28/6 18/ 30/ 22/6 29/ 29/ 18/ 18/ 20/ 18/6 17/ 21/ 22/ 18/ 15/6-16/ 41/ 28/ 30/ Last year’s prices. 40/ 35/ 60/ 50/ 60/ 60/ 37/ 37/ 38/ 36/ -37/ 35/ 36/ 38/6 38/6-39/ 36/ -36/6 45/ 28/ 28/ -29/ There are very few outward fixtures recorded. Rates remain at high figures on basis of late quotations, but the supply of tonnage remains very short. Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. Little new is ascertainable concerning the fuel trade. Colliery positions are fairly good, and they have been materially assisted by a better arrival of tonnage. Business generally is on a moderate scale. Durham steam coals are still selling at 29s. to 30s. Best Durham gas coals are fairly well taken up at 24s. to 26s., and second qualities range from 16s. 6d. to 18s. Bunker coals are quiet and rather easy in tone. Ordinary unscreened Durhams are at 16s. 6d. to 17s., good ordinaries 18s. to 18s. 6d., and special qualities 21s. 6d. to 22s. 6d. Smithies range from 20s. to 23s. The demand for house coals shows a falling off. Best kinds are 20s. 6d. to 21s. for home use, and 30s. for export. Coking coals keep in pretty good request, at prices ranging from 18s. to 19s. 6d. for unscreened kinds. There is not a great deal doing in coke, but the market is very strong, especially on forward account. Best foundry is quoted 42s. 6d., and patent oven coke 40s. to 41s. Gas house product realises 30s. to 31s. Descriptions needed for the local blastfurnaces continue to command fixed maxi- mum prices notwithstanding plentiful supply. Thus average kinds are 28s. at the ovens, and qualities low in phosphorus 30s. 6d. at the evens. IRON. With blastfurnaces working very satisfactorily just now there is a larger quantity of standard iron available for distribution, and the heavy June allocations of Cleveland pig to buyers here and in Scotland promise to be fully covered without difficulty. Producers have still rather large stocks of .forge iron, notwithstanding that this quality is being taken up very freely, especially by con- sumers north of the Tweed. As to foreign business, supply of steamers is still inadequate, but larger quantities have been sold to customers abroad, and under all the circum- stances supplies to our Allies are going forward fairly well. For home consumption No. 3 Cleveland pig, No. 4 foundry, and No. 4 forge all remain at 92s. 6d., and No. 1 is 96s. 6d.; and for shipment to France and Italy No. 3 is 102s. 6d., No. 4 foundry 101s. 6d., No. 4 forge 100s. 6d., and No. 1, 107s. 6d. So far as east coast hsematite iron is concerned, demand is very heavy. Under strict official supervision all home requirements are met, and a few new sales are reported, but new export business