542 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. March 15, 1918. “ swallow voter.” That is to say, a man cannot secure a place on the register of voters by the device of a short temporary residence in a constitu- ency merely as a bird of passage. Neither does the Act define what really constitutes residence, and in regard to this qualification there will clearly be work for the registration officers and possibly for the Courts as well. The qualification by occupation of business premises follows the same lines, with the condition that the premises occupied must be worth ten pounds a year for each voter, and that not more than two joint occupiers may be registered in respect of the same premises unless they are bona fide partners. In the same way, a naval or military voter may be registered for any constituency for which he would have had the necessary qualification but for his service ; and in the event of his cessation of service during a qualifying period his occupation need only be for one month instead of six* The qualifications of women voters we need not now discuss. It is enough to say that they must be at least thirty years old, and it is curious to note that in some cases a husband’s qualification may confer a vote on his wife where he cannot vote himself. _________________________________________________ THE LONDON COAL TRADE. Thursday, March 14. The London market has been quiet during the past week. Supplies have come forward in ample quantities for the ordinary requirements, and all the London depots have good supplies on hand. The delivery trade has been busy with old orders unexecuted, and comparatively few new orders have been received. The trolley trade, especially in the East London districts, shows greater activity, and small consumers have been ordering freely. The attend- ance on the market has been relatively small, as so many of the merchants are now comfortably off with stock coal and are not eager to buy until the summer months are well advanced. Gas companies are still pressing for larger deliveries, and are evidently prepared to add considerably to their stock. Large steam coals are scarce, and as the shipping trade and local munition works absorb so much, there seems little prospect for the factories in the London area. Special permits have recently been given for York- shire gas coal to be sent into area 13, ?.e., Dorset, Devon and Cornwall. The arrivals in the River Thames of seaborne coal decreased to 45 contract cargoes last week as compared with 71 the week previous. On Monday 14 vessels were reported to have arrived and 17 for Wednesday’s market. The demand is still good, but no free coal is offering. The contract for the Danish State Railways has been allocated principally with Scottish navigation coal—110,000 tons in all—to be delivered between May and September. A further memorandum has been issued by the Coal Controller and circulated widely amongst the London districts, drawing the attention of consumers of gas and electricity to the urgent need of the greatest economy, owing to the reduc- tion in the production of coal »nd the difficulties of trans- port. Current quotations are still at 20s. to 21s. per ton at pit for Silkstone, 19s. to 20s. for Derby brights, and 17s. 6d. to 18s. for hard cobbles. But as the summer prices will commence on April 1 for all the contracts, the bulk of the buyers are waiting to see whether any change will take place on that date before putting into stock. The London coal market has been very much interested during the week with the probable alteration in the coal rationing system during the coming year. Last year the period was from October to March, but it is anticipated that the current year will be from April to April. The summer quantities will enable everyone who has any cellar accommodation to lay in their winter stock of coal during the summer months, when the actual consumption is at its lowest point. Complaints have been made that some householders received more than they actually needed. It was rumoured on the market on Monday that a reduction of 25 per cent, was contemplated in the London area, but nothing definite has been announced yet. No change seems to be contemplated in the seaborne tonnage for London. The freight market still quotes 17s. from the Humber to the Thames. ________________________ From Messrs. Dinham, Fawcus and Company’s Report. Friday, March 8.—The seaborne house coal market was quiet, with no cargoes pressing for sale. Cargoes, 8. Monday, March 11.—There was no alteration in the seaborne house coal market, which remains quiet. No sales reported. Cargoes, 14. Wednesday, March 13.—The seaborne house coal market continued quiet. No sales reported. Arrivals, 17. ________________________________________ PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE. HOUSE OF COMMONS—March 11. Petroleum in Britain. Sir J. D. Rees asked the President of the Board of Trade if he would say what steps, if any, had been or would be tak^n to develop the production of petroleum in the United Kingdom. Sir Worthington Evans replied that the production of oil from minerals was proceeding in this country, and he hoped there would be a steady increase from this source. __________________________ Five thousand Ebbw Vale nrners have stopped work owing to a dispute regarding terms of employment. Supply of Coal to France.— The Ship Licensing Com- mittee of the Ministry of Shipping has informed the Central Executive for the Supply of Coal to France that, with the approval of M. de Lubersac, an arrangement has been made whereby consignments to the following French ports—Treguier, Paimpol, Lannion, Roscoff, and Abervach— shall be treated in the same way as ports in the St. Valery- sur-Somme-Morlaix group of the schedule to the Limitation of Freights (French Ports) Order of 1913. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, March 14. _____________________________ _______ Scotland. -Western District. COAL. The demand for West of Scotland coal continues strong, and collieries are well employed. Ells and splints are particularly busy, and smalls are well taken up. House- hold orders, too, are still to the fore. The only unsatis- factory feature is the scarcity of wagons and the irregularity of deliveries. Shipments for the week amounted to 96,687 tons compared with 80,700 in the preceding week and 77,205 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coal prices. 27/6 I prices. 1 27/6 prices. 18/ -24/ Ell 26/6-28/ i 26/6-28/ 19/ -22/ Splint 28/ -30/ ( 28/ -30/ 22/ -31/ Treble nuts 23/ 1 23/ i 24/ Double do 22/ ! 22/ : 22/ Single do 21/ 21/ j 20/ IRON. There is no change to report in the position of the Scotch iron trade. The demand for pig iron is strong and steady. Haematite is only being used on Government work, while some grades of foundry iron are very difficult to obtain. A small turnover is being done in forge quality, both for home consumption and shipment. Approximate prices:— Monkland andCarnbroe f.a.s. at Glasgow, 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. Great activity prevails in the manufactured iron trade. At the malleable iron works both the iron and steel depart- ments are fully occupied, and everything is dealt with under priority certificate. Consumers not employed either directly or indirectly on war work are receiving scant consideration. For instance, agricultural sections, which used to be largely exported to Africa, New Zealand and Australia, are now reduced to the smallest consignments possible. Orders for bolts and nuts are plentiful, and a good business is being done in the cast iron pipe trade. ________ _______ Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. In the Lothians district Admiralty and local demands provide the collieries with plenty of work. Shipments were 18,046 tons against 17,904 in the preceding week and 20,954 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... 26/6 26/6 24'6 Secondary qualities 25/6 25/6 23/ Treble nuts 23/ 23/ 24/ Double do 22/ 22/ 22/ Single do 21/ 21/ 20/ Satisfactory conditions prevail in Fifeshire, and outputs are moving off without difficulty. Shipments amounted to 44,612 tons against 36,879 in the preceding week and 11,376 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 29/ -31/ 29/ -31/ 31/ Unscreened do 24/ -25/ 24/ -25/ 25/ First-class steam coal 28/ 28/ 24/ 26/ Third-class do 24/ 20/ Treble nuts 23/ i 23/ 24/ Double do 22/ 22/ 22/ Single do 21/ 1 21/ 19/ All prices quoted apply to French and Italian business ; for all other orders 2s. 6d. per ton must be added. ________ The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 159,345 tons, compared with 135,483 in the preceding week, and 109,535 tons in the correspond- ing week of last year. _______ _______ Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL. During the period under review, steam coal collieries have been very much better employed than has been the case during any corresponding period for a good many months past. The demand has been mainly on official account, and has been accompanied by the necessary supply of requisitioned tonnage. Indeed, the majority of the Northumberland pits have been employed to their full capacity of output under present conditions, and this out- put has been speedily taken up. This is especially true so far as large steams are concerned. It is, unfortunately, a fact that smalls continue to accumulate in large quantities, and that no practical use appears as yet to have been found for these. The Durham gas coal collieries, albeit quite able to do with a good deal more trade, have also been much better employed—not to the complete extent of their more northern neighbours but still to a degree that is very welcome after the “ short commons ” from which they have suffered in recent weeks. The tonnage supplies for both classes of collieries for the present week are gratifyingly large, and a continuance of at least the present good state of employment may confidently be looked for for some little time to come. The bunker section is very dull, practically the only business passing being for the supply of the requirements of requisitioned steamers. Coking coals, smithies, households and coke are all moving off briskly for inland consumption, leaving little surplus to meet the quite considerable enquiry for these classes of fuel for export. No forward business of any note has been reported during the week. A notice has been posted on Newcastle Exchange to the effect that ships’ loading licences will now be passed by the Customs up to 14 days from loading date named therein, instead of seven days as hitherto. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. .... | Current tst week’s Last year’s Steam coals:— ! prices. prices. prices. Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) .... 30/ -32/6 30' -32/6 30/ Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.)} 29/6-32/ , 29/6-32/ 27/ -28/ Secondary, Blyths .... 25/6-28/ 25/6-28/ 21/ -22/ Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ...! 27/ -29/6 27/ -29 6 22/6 Unscreened .......... 23 6-27 6 23 6-27/6 18/ -20/ Small, Blyths ........! 20/ -22/6 20/ -22/6 18/ Do. Tynes..........i 18/6-21/ ! 18/6-21/ 17/ Do. specials........j 20/6-23/ : 20/6-23/ 19/ -20/ Other sorts:— Smithies..............! 25/ -33/6 i 25/ -33/6 18/ -20/ Best gas coals (New} Pelton or Holmside)' 25/ -27/6 , 25/ -27/6 25/ Secondary gas coals | (Pelaw Main or similar)} 23/6-26/ 23/6—26/ 17/ -19/ Special gas coals ......j 26/6-29/ 26/6-29/ 28/ -30/ Unscreened bunkers, ; Durhams; 26/6-32/6 ! 26/6-32/6 < 17/ -20/ Do. do. i inortnumorians; ^0/0-^//o , zb/o—^//o j 10/ — Coking coals..........; 24/ -27/6 j 24/ -27/6 j 18/ -20/ Do. smalls .... 24/ -27/6 } 24/ -27/6 ’ 17/ -18/ House coals ..........j 28'6-32/6 , 28/6-32 6 27/6-30/ Coke, foundry ..;........; 42/6-45/ ; 42/6-45/ 40/ -42/6 Do. blast-furnace......; 42/6-45/ I 42/6-45/ 38/ Do. gas ...............| 35/ -40/ j 35/ -40/ 30/ -32/ Sunderland. COAL. The coal market opened this week with a fairly good tone, especially the steam coals, which are in brisk request. The arrival of expected steamers has come up to anticipa- tions, and most of the pits are a little more favourably situated and should have work to keep them going during the whole of the week. There is still a good demand for manufacturing fuels of all classes, and bunker coals find a better outlet now that shipping is moving somewhat more freely, but the inferior sorts of coal are more difficult to sell at the scheduled prices. Coke is steady and without particular change. 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. 29/ -32,6 25/ -27/6 32/6 30/6 31/ -32/6 31/ -32/6 26/6 26/6 22/6 27/6 27/6 27/6 27/ -28/6 27/6 26/6 42/6-45/ 42/6-45/ 35/ -40/ L’st week’s prices. 29/ -32/6 25/ -27/6 32/6 30/6 31/ -32/6 31/ -32/6 26/6 26/6 22/6 27/6 27/6 27/6 27/ -28/6 27/6 26/6 42/6-45/ 42 6-45/ 35/ -40/ Last year’ 1 prices. 27/ 18.6 30/ 24/ 28/ 28/ 18/ 18/ 21/ 18 6 176 20/ 22/6 18/ 16/ 42/6 28/ 32/ s Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. A rather better feeling is evident in the fuel trade, due to somewhat larger supply of tonnage. Enquiries from neutrals show improvement, and official absorption is heavier. Best steams are in good request at 32s. 6d., but smalls are still unsatisfactorily placed and are on sale at 21s.; whilst ordinary steams are 28s. Gas coals are in moderate request. Best sorts are 27s. 6d.; seconds 26s.; and Wear specials 29s. There is a little more enquiry for superior qualities of bunkers, but ordinaries continue quiet and unimproved. Unscreened Durhams range from 26s. 6d. to 27s. 6d. Coking coal is fairly well taken up at round about 27s. 6d. There is a somewhat quieter feeling in coke, and supply is very ample. Values are well maintained. Average blastfurnace kind is 33s. at the ovens ; low phos- phorus sort is 35s. 6d. at the ovens ; and foundry quality 38s. for home use; whilst for shipment both furnace and foundry coke were 45s. f.o.b., and gashouse product was 38s. 6d. to 40s. f.o.b. IRON. A substantial amount of business in Cleveland pig iron has been put through recently, but there is less passing now, practically all the home contracts under the March allocations of foundry iron having now been fixed up, and in many instances makers have had to point out that though they had plenty of iron on hand, they feared they would be unable to fully carry through their obligations owing to continued scarcity of trucks. There appears to be no improvement as yet in this district in the amount of rolling stock at the disposal of traders. A movement is on foot to send Cleveland iron by lighter to Leith, whence it can be railed to the various customers in Scotland, as the wagon supply north of the Tweed is stated to be much better than it is in this district. Demand for forge iron, both for early and forward delivery, is unabated. There is more activity in export trade, ani March shipments promise to be better than the clearances of recent months. For home consumption No. 3 Cleveland pig, No. 4 foundry, and No. 4 forge all stand at 95s.; and No. 1 is 99s.; and for ship- ment to France and Italy these qualities are 114s.; whilst No. 1 is 99s. for home use, and 119s. for export. East coast haematite iron continues in strong and steady demand for home consumption. January licences for shipment are now to hand, and as these are on a more generous scale than was anticipated, it may be assumed that there is a fair margin of iron available for export after the reasonable requirements of home consumers have been satisfied. Dis- tribution is still made with great care under strict official supervision. Nos. 1, 2 and 3 are 122s. 6d. for home use and 147s. 6d. for export to France and Italy. There is still great pressure for delivery of manufactured iron and steel for Government purposes and for the shipyards. Quotations are unaltered.