78 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. January 11, 1918. We imagine that the idea is connected in some vague way with the destruction of capitalism, another phrase equally nebulous, unless it means the destruc- tion of industry itself, and of the nation which thrives upon it. The old Commercial Intelligence Development Department of the Board of Trade □f Overseas has now become merged into the Trade. new joint Department of the Foreign Office and Board of Trade, presided over by Sir A. Steel-Maitland. This is to be known in future as tlie Department of Overseas Trade (Development and Intelligence), and in conformity with the new scheme the Board of Trade Journal has undergone a complete transformation, commencing with the first issue of the present year. We hasten to welcome this testimony to the determination of the new department to strike out an entirely new line in the methods of affording Government assist- ance to British traders. Sir Albert Stanley, in a foreword to the newly-constructed journal, outlines the means whereby it is proposed to widen its scope and increase its utility ; but a more detailed explana- tion of the changes now introduced is promised in a forthcoming issue. The Board of Trade Journal as hitherto known did not altogether fulfil its desired functions. Perhaps one of the reasons for the inadequacy of its efforts was not unconnected with the fact that it attempted to accomplish two separate aims — viz., to disseminate commercial information and to compete as a journalistic enter- prise with existing trade publications. These two objects are not incompatible in the case of the technical journals, each devoted to its own industry, and supported by its own clientele. But the Board of Trade Journal appealed tp no special industry alone; and, without the assistance of the technical and trade Press, could not hope to reach the classes for which it was intended. And, being a competing journal, there was never that cordiality of relations which alone could secure the full measure of publicity that was desirable. This element of competition is now to disappear, and it is intended in future to concentrate upon the more important object of promoting British trade. As Sir A. Steel-Maitland explains, the new journal will not be run on ordinary commercial lines, and its columns will be devoted solely to supplying prompt information, in the dissemination of which the trade journals will be encouraged to co-operate. We have not the slightest doubt that the Press will willingly respond to this endeavour, more particularly as great developments are foreshadowed in the methods whereby commercial intelligence will in the future be obtained. It must not be expected, however, that the new journal will contain all the information that the new Department will obtain. Some of this must necessarily be for private circulation only. This confidential information will comprise not only matters relating to new trade openings abroad, which it would not be desirable in the first instance to publish far and wide ; but it will also include information interesting only to special classes of traders. This private intelligence will be entered on a special register, which will be accessible only to approved British firms. Any such firm desiring to receive this information can do so by getting themselves entered upon an approved list, which can be done either through their chambers of commerce or through the Federation of British Industries, accompanied by the payment of a fee of two guineas per annum, which will include a sub- scription to the Board of Trade Journal. It is gratifying to note that over 10,000 firms have already joined in this scheme, and this number will doubtless be largely increased as the project becomes more fully developed. With regard to the nature of the confidential information that will thus be placed at the disposal of British traders, this will include a great deal more than was available under the old system. One of the defects of former consular reports was due to the want of any definite system. This is to be obviated by instructing the various trade commissioners and consular representatives to enter their reports upon a prescribed form, to be known as Form K. Upon this form will be shown all firms in the several consular districts who can be recommended as possible importers of British goods. It will show their commercial and financial status, their local and European references, the goods particularly required, terms of trading, and the language in which corres- pondence should be conducted. All traders partici- pating in this scheme will be classified in accordance with Form K, so that they will be able to receive only the information which interests them. Thus the Department of Overseas Trade will collect and edit all consular information, and will distribute it to the Association of Chambers of Commerce and to the Federation of British Industries, by means of which organisations it will be circulated only to interested firms approved by the department. No outside firms will receive it, but there is no reason why any interested firm should remain outside a scheme which promises to do so much at such a trifling cost in annual fees. Ultimately, of course, the success of this plan will depend upon the organisation of the trade com- missioners and consular officers. As we have already indicated, the whole system of trade representatives, both in foreign countries and in the dominions, is being completely overhauled. Thez reorganisation of this service can scarcely be completed until after the war, but in the meantime steps are being taken to carry out the desired reforms forthwith so far as this is possible. Neither must British traders think that everything will be done for them, without any effort upon their own part. As is pointed out in the journal, “Form K is not intended to take the place of commercial travellers. It supplies information of a preliminary character, which must be followed up by the firms interested. The Department breaks up the ground, but the traders themselves must cultivate it.” THE IRISH COAL TRADE. Thursday, January 10. Dublin. The situation with regard to supplies still causes con- siderable anxiety, although there has been an improvement in the import trade since the new year opened. Some of the large city firms, whose stocks are now very low, can get no quotations for supplies, and exorbitant freights are com- plained of, these now being up to 22s. and 23s. per ton. The price of best house coal in the city at present is 52s. per ton net, slack 46s., and coke has been advanced to 49s. per ton. Coal is being supplied chiefly to regular customers in limited quantities, as economy in consumption will be necessary until the Government can release more shipping for the carrying trade. It is stated that the present shortage has led to competition by outside buyers in the south and west of Ireland, who in order to get coal through from Dublin have been offering abnormal freights, as much as 26s. per ton having been paid recently by some outside merchants and companies, the result being to force the rate of freight up on the local merchants. Coal in some of the southern districts is selling at 63s. per ton. At the Castlecomer Collieries, co. Kilkenny, large orders are being refused daily owing to the lack of transit facilities, but a number of important commercial concerns are being supplied by this company. The total quantity of coal arriving at Dublin port during the past week from cross- channel ports was 28,011 tons, as compared with 16,980 tons the w;eek previously. The output of coal in Ireland during 1916 was 89,833 tons, of which 78,240 tons was anthracite. Of this County Kilkenny produced by far the largest share, contributing 55,844 tons, the next largest output being in Queen’s County, which contributed 16,492 tons, while Tipperary output was 5,904 tons. The 1915 output was 6,276 tons more. Belfast. There is no change in prices so far at this port, supplies arriving irregularly, and stocks being much below the normal. It is stated that, despite the shortage of tonnage, the local merchants managed to maintain the imports to the city at the necessary standard during the past year, and were able to supply all demands made upon them. It is estimated that the total imports of coal for 1917 amounted to 1,326,000 tons, which .exceeds the figures for the last pre-war year by 3,000 tons. From December 16 to 31 last year the total number of coal-laden vessels arriving was 124. Current quotations for household coals are:— Best Arley, 46s. per ton; Orrell nuts, 45s.; English kitchen coal, 45s.; Orrell slack, 42s.; Scotch house, 41s. Freights are still tending upwards. Miners and the Employment of German Prisoners.—On Thursday evening, Mr. Winston Churchill, Minister of Munitions, received a deputation from the executive of the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain, with reference to the employment of German prisoners during a strike of mine workers on the Island of Raasay, Scotland. Earlier in the day, the president (Mr. R. Smillie) reported to the Federa- tion executive that a fortnight ago, accompanied by the vice-president (Mr. H. Smith) he had an interview with Mr. Churchill relative to the situation which has arisen on the Island of Raasay, where a number of mine workers, who are islanders, have been on strike for some time respecting the rate of wages, and German prisoners had been put to work at the mines. Mr. Churchill then gave them a definite pledge that if German prisoners were being used as strike breakers, he would have them removed. Mr. Churchill, after hearing the deputation, undertook to give an immediate order that no German prisoner was to con- tinue in any position previously held by an islander now on strike. The wages question, on which the miners primarily came out on strike, would be settled at the earliest possible moment by arbitration. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, January 10. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. During the past week trade has been much affected by the holidays, and business has been extremely quiet. Shipments amounted to 72,919 tons, against 87,120 in the preceding week and 48,179 tons in the same week last year Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. | Current | L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Steam coal I' 27/6 f • 27/6 19/ -25/ Ell 1 26/6-28/ i 26/6-28/ 19/6-24/ Splint (28/ -30/ j 28/ -30/ 23/ -32/ Treble nuts ' 23/ : 23/ 24/ Double do ( 22/ 22/ ; 22/ Single do • i 21/ 21/ \ 21/ IRON. Activities in the Scotch iron trade have also been practi- cally at a standstill, owing to the New Year holidays, works for the most part being only kept open in order to make the necessary additions and repairs to machinery. Pig iron makers, however, have been fairly busy, an effort being made to overtake arrears in home orders. Export continues dull, and many brands are now unobtainable. Approximate quotations are as follow:—Monkland and Carnbroe, Nos. 1, 140s., Nos. 3, 135s.; Govan, No. 1, 135s., No. 3, 130s.; Clyde, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1, 150s., Nos. 3, 145s.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 140s., No. 3, 135s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, and Dalmellington, at Ayr, Nos. 1, 145s., Nos. 3, 135s.; Shotts, at Leith, No. 1, 150s., No. 3, 145s. per ton. The malleable iron works have large orders on hand, both for home and export, and will be fully occupied for months to come. The first place will, of course, be given to war requirements, but the works are now in a better position to deal with such private and overseas business as may be permitted under Government licence. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The holidays have also interfered with business in the Lothians coal trade, and very little has been done during the past few days. Shipments were 15,050 tons, against 17,591 in the preceding week and 14,060 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current Best screened steam coal... prices. 26/6 Secondary qualities 25/6 Treble nuts 23/ Double do 22/ Single do 21/ L’st week’s prices. 26/6 25/6 23/ 22/ 21/ Last year’s prices 26/ 24/6 25/ 22/ 19/6 Similar conditions governed trade in Fifeshire, and some days will pass before things are normal again. Shipments reached 18,490 tons, against 34,712 in the preceding week and 20,197 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. 1 Current prices. L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. Best screened navigation coal 29/ -31/ 29/ -31/ 30/ -33/6 Unscreened do 24/ -25/ 24/ -25/ 25/ -27/ First-class steam coal 28/ 28/ 24/ 27/6-29/ Third-class do 24/ 22/ 23/ -25/6 Treble nuts 23/ 23/ Double do 22/ 22/ 22/ Single do 21/ 21/ 21/ The prices quoted only apply to French and Italian business ; for other orders 2s. 6d. per ton must be added. The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 106,465 tons, compared with 139,423 in the preceding week and 82,436 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL. During most of the week under review, the mining; industry locally was under the holiday influence and, with a curtailed output, what would have been normally a very inadequate supply of tonnage sufficed to meet the needs of the trade. Since the current week began, the miners have “got into their stride” again, so far as productivity is concerned, and the lack of transport facilities has been more acutely felt. Fortunately, there is a healthy demand for most descriptions of fuel tor inland consumption and, also, the steam coal market is being benefited by quite a good enquiry on official account with its concomitant of a supply of requisitioned vessels, of course. The official demand is not doing much for the gas coal section. The result is that, whilst most descriptions of steams are fairly well taken up, the gas coal market is very dull, excepting for best sorts. Bunkers are very quiet, with practically nothing doing. Coking coals, smithies and household sorts have their output well taken up on home account, leaving exceedingly little for export. Special smithies still command up to 33s. 6d. per ton for shipment to Scandinavia. The coke market has been very active during the week. All descriptions of coke have moved off very quickly, mainly for consumers in this country, the export enquiry, which is strong, having to remain, as a rule, unsatisfied. Gas coke has advanced in quotation, the top price now being 40s. In all the various sections of the market, save that of bunkers, the demand for fuel for exportation to neutrals is stated to be very good and only the shortage of shipping prevents the market being uncommonly brisk. There is no forward business of any note to report.