May 3, 1918.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

899

combinations should be legalised so as to be enforce-
able between members, provided that they are regis-
tered at the Board of Trade, which should have power
to call for information as to their operations. In
the case of international combinations to which British
firms are parties, compulsory registration is recom-
mended.

Money Help for Industry.

On the subject of financial facilities for industry
the Committee say that they are not able to recom-
mend the scheme for the establishment of an Imperial
Bank of Industry. The financial needs of British
industry, they consider, are likely to receive better
examination, and to be met in a more effectual manner,
under private banking enterprise than under a State-
controlled institution. As a general rule, they think
it undesirable that the State should attempt to provide
capital for industrial purposes. The Committee also
recommend investigation as regards taxation (especially
in connection with the income-tax allowances for
depreciation of industrial plant), currency, and for
the maintenance of foreign exchanges, such as is now
being carried out by Committees of the Ministry of
Reconstruction and H.M. Treasury. . The remedy
for shortage of capital after the war, however,
must be sought mainly, the Committee consider, in
the increase of production and ^saving. Appreciable
aids to these ends can be found in the avoidance of
unnecessary expenditure by the State, and in the
extension of the taxation of luxuries.

Bases of Future Fiscal Policy.

The Committee make interesting recommendations
as to fiscal policy in the light of war experience. First,
they lay down various propositions as the bases of
future economic policy. Among them are: —

(1)	Government action to promote and safeguard
u pivotal ” industries (industries on which depend
other and larger branches of important national
production).

(2)	Government assistance to industries which are
important for maintaining the kingdom’s industrial
position, but which are unable to develop themselves
by reason of undue foreign competition or other
causes.

(3)	Efforts to meet the declared wishes of the
Dominions and Colonies and India for the develop-
ment of their economical relations with the United
Kingdom.

(4)	Efforts to develop trade with our Allies.

(5)	Subject to agreement with our Allies, the
refusal for a time, at least, of trading facilities to
present enemy countries on the same unrestricted
terms as before the war, or on terms equal to those
accorded to Allies or neutrals.

Reasons Against Comprehensive Tariff.

A majority of the Committee do not think it expe-
dient to establish a comprehensive tariff scheme
covering the whole range of imports into the United
Kingdom, and they advance the following reasons for
their opinion: —

(1)	A claim for protection cannot be regarded as
valid unless the industry which makes it can show
that, in spite of the adoption of the most ‘efficient
technical methods and business organisation, it
cannot maintain itself against foreign competition,
and that by such competition it is hindered from
adopting these methods.

(2)	There are large branches of production (as in
the cotton trade) in which there is no demand for
any measure of protection.

(3)	Any State action towards the indiscriminate
maintenance of industries which do not contribute
appreciably, or at all, towards the national wealth
would be economically unsound.

(4)	Any State action likely to raise prices, even
temporarily, for commodities of national importance
should be confined to the closest possible limits.

(5)	It is of paramount importance that our export
trade should not be hampered by any policy which
might unduly increase the cost of production in
this country, as compared with the cost in other
countries; and a more limited tariff could be used
equally well* though not so extensively, for granting
Imperial Preference, and for the purpose of nego-
tiation with foreign countries.

Where Protection is Desirable.

The Committee, after examination of the main con-
siderations involved, come to the following conclu-
sions : —

(1)	Producers in this country are entitled to
protection against “ dumping ” and the introduction
of “sweated” goods, and Government action on
the lines adopted by Canada is recommended.

(2)	“Pivotal” or “key” industries should be
maintained at all hazards and at any expense.

(3)	In other industries protection, by means of
customs duties, or Government help in other forms,
should be provided only for reasons of national
safety, or on the general ground that no industry
of real importance to our economic strength and
well-being should be allowed to be weakened by
foreign competition, or brought to any extent under
alien control.

(4)	Preferential treatment should be accorded to
the Oversea Dominions and Possessions in any
customs duties now or hereafter to be imposed in
the United Kingdom, and consideration should be
given to other forms of Imperial Preference.

(5)	The present opportunity should be taken to
promote our trade with our Allies, and considera-
tion should be given to the possibility of using for
purposes of negotiation with them and with present
neutrals any duties which may be imposed in
accordance with the foregoing principles.

State Assistance Board.

The Committee add that, in view of the danger that
the admission of the principle of protection, even to
a limited extent, may give rise to a widespread
demand for similar assistance for other industries,
and consequently to an amount of political pressure

which may be difficult to resist, they recommend the
establishment of a strong and competent Board, with
an independent status, to examine all applications for
State assistance, to advise the Government upon them,
* and, where a case is made out, to frame proposals as
to the nature and extent of the assistance to be given.
Before recommending tariff protection this Board
should consider forms of State assistance other than,
or concurrent with, protective duties. It should have
constantly in mind the safeguarding of the interests
of consumers and of labour.

Metric System and Decimal Coinage.

The report comprises chapters on the metric system
and decimal coinage, neither of which the Committee
felt able to recommend for adoption in this country.

Conservation of Coking Coal.

In a note appended to the final report, Mr. G.
Scoby Smith, dealing with the conservation of coking
coal, says that industrial expansion is in great
measure limited by the available resources of heat
and power. British productive and manufacturing
industry has been in the last resort built upon the
possession of the great coal measures of the country.
The report of the Departmental Committee on the
Coal Trade shows that there is little likelihood of
any great expansion of our native resources or of any
great increase of output from the fields which are
now being worked. Any industrial development must,
therefore, go along with a more economical use of fuel
than has hitherto been practised. The admitted
necessities of national defence demand that the British
production of pig iron and ingot steel should be
increased by at least some 50 per cent. Without
adequate supplies of coke, the production of pig iron
is impossible; and for the making of coke suitable
for use in the blast furnace, coal possessing certain
qualities is essential. These qualities are not to be
found in all the coal produced in Great Britain, but
are characteristic of the coal of certain districts and
of certain seams in those districts. The resources of
Great Britain in coal of this special character are
known to be limited. The Committee on the Coal
Trade recommend the installation of more coke ovens
and by-product recovery plants in Great Britain.
The unrestrained export of coal in the past has been
in this respect most uneconomical. No advantage has
been taken of the valuable properties which certain
coals possessed, and the recommendation of the Coal
Committee shows their appreciation of this economic
wastage. It is from a national point of view desir-
able that the utmost use should be made of the special
qualities of British coking coal. The interests of the
coal owner may ultimately dictate to him the extrac-
tion of by-products and the utilisation of the heat
produced by the process of extraction. In itself, how-
ever, this is not enough. Coke used in the blast
furnace must be physically tough enough to withstand
the crushing weight of materials which it must sustain
in its passage through the furnace. Such powers of
resistance are only to be found in the coke made from
coal won from the limited areas of which mention
has been made. However unrestricted may be the
export of coal of ordinary qualities, it is, in his view,
of the greatest moment that the very limited resources
of good coking coal should be carefully.conserved. The
output of seams of known coking quality should be
coked in Great Britain and the export of such coal
should only be permitted under licence of his Majesty’s
Government, and this licence should only be granted
after due provision has been made for the home con-
sumption of this class of coal and the reserves avail-
able for home use have been ascertained.

MINING INDUSTRY AND MILITARY SERVICE.

At the Tanfield Tribunal the case was heard of a pony
putter, whose father stated that he had three sons in the
Army, and could not work regularly himself. The National
Service representative said the-case should never have been
brought before the tribunal. The colliery officials should,
in fact, never have allowed such a case to go into the hat.
He could not, as National Service representative, take any
circumstances into consideration, but he wanted the
saddle put on the right horse. The military could not be
blamed, for the colliery people should not put in the hat
cases of extreme hardship. If they had done so, the blame
lay on their shoulders. The father said they should know
his circumstances, as he had been 50 years with the
company. The case was adjourned for later consideration.

At Stanley Tribunal, three coke workers employed at
Beamish, were granted three months’ exemption. It was
stated that the company were heavily pressed for coke,
and that if these men were taken it would render the work
very difficult. They had been promised substitution, but
could not get men. In the Chester-le-Street area protec-
tion certificates were granted by the Minister of Munitions.
The tribunal advised the company to apply for protection
certificates.

At Annfield Plain, the case was mentioned of a young
man who had to go through three mining examinations
and whose brother had offered to take his place in the
Army. The chairman thought that was a proper case for
substitution, but added that both brothers would have to
go eventually if in Grade 1; The proposed course was
agreed to.

The Coal Controller has been in negotiation with the
Ministry of National Service upon the question of the
status of members of colliery staffs in relation to the Order
de-certifying certain classes of exempted men; and also in
relation to the new Military Service Act. Instructions
have now been issued by the Ministry to the regional officer
which show that, for the time being, until fresh instructions
have been issued this class of employees, so far as subject
to the jurisdiction of the tribunals, will not be called up.
The intimation has been received with considerable relief
in view of the depletion which already has taken place in
the staffs referred to.

Representatives of the Coal Owneis’ Association met the
National Service officials—Lord Treowen being in charge of
Wales for the Ministry of National Service—and they
discussed the position as it affects the clerks and officials
who would, under the general instruction, be combed out.
It is anticipated that an understanding will be reached on
the question.

As showing the readiness with which the miners are
enlisting, it may be mentioned that the travelling medical
board, which concluded its operations in Tredegar on
Monday, had been sitting for about 10 days and had close
upon 100 men before them each day. It is stated that as
many as 60 per cent, of the men passed in Grade 1. The
district included the men on the Monmouthshire side of
the Rhymney Valley and the men of the Sirhowy Valley.
In the Abertillery area, where a medical board has been
sitting for a fortnight, the gatherings of young men called
up have been signalised by good-humoured manifesta-
tions. Many are members of male voice parties, and most
of them can sing well, and the evenings were enlivened
until a late hour by singing groups.

The dockers at Swansea are raising opposition to a comb-
out of about 60 additional men from their number. They
consider dock work to be as important as warfare, seeing
that only physically strong men can undertake it; and the
workmen, at. a meeting held on Sunday evening, were of
opinion that to take away more fit men would mean impair-
ing the efficiency of the dock work, which was largely
occupied in the shipment of anthracite, tin-plate, etc.

Mr. William Straker, secretary of the Northumberland
Miners’ Association, has issued a circular to the lodges,
drawing attention to the Coal Controller’s announcement
that the Government has decided to take from the coal
mining industry a further number of men fit for general
service in the Army. Forms are to be filled up by colliery
managers, giving a list of workmen who wereUnmarried,
or widowers without any children dependent on them, on
November 2,1915, and who had attained the age of 25 years
on January 1, 1918, and will be under the age of 32 years
on May 1, 1918; married, or widowers with children
dependent on them, on November 2,1915, and who will have
on May 1, 1918, attained the age of 18 years and 8 months,
but will be under the age of 32 on the latter date; and all
men who had not attained the age of 18 years and 8 months
on January 1, 1918, but will have attained that age on or
before May 1, 1918. The, workmen’s checkweigher, or
representative, must be given an opportunity of examining
and countersigning the forms before being sent away. The
quota for this additional comb-out is to be sent to each
colliery later. Appeals and the rectifying of mistakes as to
age, etc., will follow the same lines as in the present
comb-out.

At Choppington Colliery a hitch has occurred in the comb-
out of eligible miners. The workmen insisted that a
colliery clerk of military age should be included in the
ballot, and this was refused by the management, with the
result that the workmen refused to allow the ballot to
proceed. The case has been referred to Mr. Straker, with
a view to having the matter brought before the Miners’
Federation, and a communication being made to the
Government.

At Auckland Rural Tribunal, Capt. Roberts, National
Service representative, stated that the best class of men
to be had for soldiers were the young pitmen, who were
the finest physical specimens in the country, and the more
men they had the better chance there would be of putting
an end to the war. Members of the tribunal mentioned
cases of men who had been exempted, but on going to
Sunderland for medical examination had been kept there
and not allowed to return home. Capt Roberts asked for
particulars of the cases referred to and said he would
investigate the matter. He would even see that, if the
men still desired to appeal against the military decision,
they would be given leave from military duties for the
purpose. Capt. Roberts added that the combing-out of the
collieries would have to go on as long as men were required,
and everything would depend on the development of the
fighting on the Western front.

At Blyth, a staithman, aged 42, and in Grade 3,
employed by the owners of the Bentinck West Hartley
Colliery Limited, was given six months’ exemption. It
was stated that there was no change in the position since
he had been granted conditional exemption. He was still
needed, and he was the only man employed by the firm at
Blyth. Many thousands of tons of coal had been shipped
at the port during the last few months from the colliery.
Owing to his special knowledge and experience of the
shipping trade it was essential that he should be retained
in his present position.

BOOK NOTICES.

The Empire Municipal Directory. 9| x 7 in. 260 pp. and
Diary. London : Proprietors of “ Municipal Engineer-
ing and the Sanitary Record.” Price 5s. 6d. post free
in United Kingdom.

The 36th volume comprises a complete and officially
corrected directory of all the 'Corporations, county,
borough, urban and rural district councils and port
sanitary authorities in Great Britain and Ireland and the
Channel Islands, with the names of their clerks, engineers,
surveyors, medical officers, architects, sanitary inspectors,
cleansing superintendents, public analysts, superintendents
of police, sewage works managers, electricity and tram-
way managers, health visitors, etc., the offices and place
of meeting of all the corporations and councils, and their
telephone numbers, their municipal undertakings, viz.,
water, gas, and electricity works, markets, tramway and
omnibus undertakings, public baths, sewage and refuse
destructor works, sanatoria, infectious hospitals, etc., and a
directory of the municipalities, shire councils, etc., in all
our Overseas Dominions, and their officials. There are
also a number of specially contributed articles on road
engineering, housing and town planning, sewage disposal,
public water supplies, public fire services, public cleansing
work, practical sanitation, British engineering, concrete
construction, and waste utilisation. Lists of all the
Government departments concerned with Local Government
Administration and the Acts of Parliament, Orders and
Regulations passed since 1914, and also lists of Scientific
Institutions and Societies, a Municipal War Legislation
Section, compiled by Randolph A. Glen, Esq., M.A.,
barrister-at-law, which comprises all the Statutes, Orders,
and Regulations enacted or issued since August 1914, and
a diary covering the Local Government official year, and
containing useful reminders of the dates when various
duties require to be performed by municipal and other
officials.

Dr. A. W. K. Straton has been appointed certifying
surgeon under the Factory and Workshop Acts for Wilton.
A vacancy at Tunstall is notified.

The second meeting of the Allied Maritime Council was
held in Paris last week. Several questions connected with
the tonnage situation and the supply of coal to France and
Italy came up for discussion and decision. The proceed-
ings were unanimous.