July 31, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 263 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The dispute affecting between 3,000 and 4,000 men and boys employed by the Blackwell Colliery Company, was amicably settled on Monday, the employers withdrawing their notices, which would have run out on that day. The grievance was originally confined to B. Winning pit, where the company had installed a new beam weighing machine, the men contending for a self-registering machine. The threatened strike, so far as concerned the employees at the other pits owned by the company, was a sympathetic one. An agreement has been made that pit bank weighing machines at the A. Winning Low Main and the B. Winning Low Main and Hard Coal shall have automatic indicators registering the weights, these to be completed within a period of three months. The Derbyshire ' Miners’ Association, on Saturday, ratified an agreement with the Midland Counties’ Colliery Owners’ Association regarding banksmen’s wages in the county of Derby, and it was agreed that the new scale should operate from the week for which the pay takes place to-day. The new scale is as follows :—Thirteen years, Is. 7fd.; 14, Is. lid.; 15, 2s. 4d.; 16, 2s. 9d.; 17, 3s. 2d. ; 18, 3s. 7d.; 19, 4s.; 20, 4s. 3d.; 21, 4s. 6d.; 22, 4s. ll^d. Each advance or reduction of 5 per cent, in the rate of wages to mean an advance or reduction of Id. per day for persons up to 17 years of age and under, and 2d. per day for those of 18 years and over. No reduction is to be made in the case of any who are now paid above the scale, and the advances to boys are to be given quarterly at the rate of Id. per quarter, and the balance at the end of each year. Mr. William Johnson, M.P., secretary of the Warwick- shire Miners’ Association,, handed in notices at Arley Colliery, on Tuesday, for all contracts so far as members of the union are concerned to terminate on August 11. The members of the Warwickshire Miners’ Union at this particular colliery number about 900, and the decision to hand in notices is the result of the men’s determination not to work with non-unionists and members of the rival ___________________________________________________________ North Warwickshire Association. The quarterly meeting of the Coal Conciliation Board for the federated mining districts in England and North Wales was held in London last Friday. Mr. F. J. Jones (York- ___________________________________________________________ shire), chairman, presided. The chairman stated that the coalowners would be prepared to give careful consideration to the new wage proposals made to them by the representa- tives of the men, and then meet the men’s section of the board for the full discussion, together with any counter proposals prepared by the coal owners’ side of the board. The main proposals submitted by the men as the basis of a new agreement for a further period of three years provide for a new wage standard of 50 per cent, above the present wage standard of 1888, and a higher maximum wage. At the present moment wages in the English federated area stand at the maximum of 65 per cent, on the 1888 standard. In his annual report for 1913, Mr. J. Wadsworth, M.P., secretary of the Yorkshire Miners’ Association, draws atten- tion to the fact that, notwithstanding strikes, lock-outs, industrial unrest, floods, the results of trading in the last half-year of 1912 in the case of 15 of the principal railway companies were remarkably good. In nearly all instances there were far more profits, and better dividends were paid than before, and this in spite of all the grumbling about the extra price of coal. The nationalisation of railways is advocated “ in the interests of the nation at large,” and “ no one is doing more to bring this about than the railway companies themselves, by the way they are treating their employees and the public with unfair rates and conditions.” After quoting the statement of Mr. D. A. Thomas, M.P., the South Wales colliery owner, that the Minimum Wage Act had cost his company less than Id. per ton, Mr. Wads- worth says there is a large number of colliery owners anxious to do right to their workmen, as far as they can __________ possibly see, both in wages, conditions, and (recently) housing conditions, etc., but, on the other hand, there are still a large number who are prepared to pull the men’s wages down and their conditions with them as far as pos- sible. Further, to pay additional wages, owners made excessive advances in prices, and made enormous profits, and even fortunes. “ The Minimum Wage Act has increased very considerably the efficiency of labour under- ground . . . and I have not the slightest hesitation in saying that some of the richer companies have had no cost whatever thrown upon them on account of the Minimum Wage Act, but that some of them have made considerable profits out of the passing of the Act.” Mr. Wadsworth sees an improvement in the morals of the present-day miner. He still maintains that it is a most dangerous thing to take electricity into the mines. For the recent trouble over the ____________________ Minimum Wage Award Mr. Wadsworth severely blames the miners. Scotland. Work was resumed at practically all the collieries on Monday, and there were in most instances a full comple- ment of workmen, the absence of certain men being accounted for by their being on holiday. The Scottish Federation officials are carefully looking after the question •of non-union workmen in order to secure solid ranks in the •event of trouble in the not distant future. Total returns from the Lothians, Linlithgowshire, Stir- lingshire, Fifeshire, Dumbartonshire, Ayrshire, and Lanark- shire miners’ districts of the Scottish Miners’ Federation show an overwhelming majority in favour of the formation •of the scheme for a National Union of Scottish Mine Workers. The completed figures were :—For National Union, 64,876; against, 8,614; majority in favour, 56,262. __________________________________________________________ Arrangements will consequently be made for putting the _______ new organisation into operation forthwith. The rules, which have been carefully gone into by the Scottish Com- mittees, provide that in the event of any dispute arising in any district necessitating a stoppage of wTork, strike pay at the rate of 12s. per member per week, and Is. for each child under 14 years of age shall be paid from the central fund; that the Management Committee is to have power to call up levies to meet all such requirements; that each dis- trict shall have control of its own affairs pertaining to the collecting of. dues and all other matters, with the exception of strikes or lock-outs, all of which shall be controlled by the Central Committee in conjunction with the officials of the district affected. The Management Committee, it is also provided, shall adjust definitely the basis for ascertain- ing the amount due by each section to the national fund in cases of emergency, in which immediate action on behalf of workmen may be required; while the Management Com- mittee of any district may sanction a stoppage before the National Committee can be summoned. The National •Committee shall have power to authorise stoppages. Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades. The half-yearly meeting of the Board of Conciliation and Arbitration for the Manufactured Iron and Steel Trade of the North of England was held at Newcastle on Monday. The standing committee’s report stated that the member- ship of the Board remained at nine works, owned by seven firms. The average number of operative subscribing mem- bers during the past half-year had been 3,639, as compared with 3,800 in the previous six months—a decrease of 161. In regard to iron and steel workers’ wages, three ascertain- ments of the average net selling price of finished iron had been received since the annual meeting, two of which brought about reductions of wages under the sliding scale, each of 2J per cent. The wages of steel millmen at those works governed by the operations of the sliding scale that specially applied thereto, were reduced 5 per cent, from the beginning of April last and 2J- per cent, from the beginning of the present month. The report was adopted. Messrs. James C. Bishop and James Gavin, joint secretaries of the Scottish Manufactured Iron Trade Conciliation and Arbitration Board, have examined the employers’ books for May and June 1914, and certify the average net selling price brought out as .£6 10s. 5‘49d. per ton. This means no change in the wages of the workmen. The secretaries of the Board of Conciliation and Arbitra- tion for the Manufactured Iron and Steel Trade of the North of England (Messrs. J. R. Winpenny and Jac. Cox), announce that, as a result of the auditors’ report, and in accordance with the sliding scale agreement, the wages for August and September will be the same as those for the preceding two months. The report of the auditors (Messrs. Price, Waterhouse and Company) shows that the sales of manufactured iron for the two months ended June 30 amounted to 8,702 tons, and the average net selling price per ton was £6 13s. l’91d., as against 9,077 tons and £6 14s. 9'33d. in the previous two months. THE WELSH COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, July 30. North Wales. Wrexham. COAL. There has been very little change during the past week in the markets of this district. There has been no improvement in the house coal sales, though several buyers have fixed up contracts for forward deliveries, upon favourable terms, being in some instances as much as Is. per ton reduction as compared with the contract prices fixed last year. The business of settling the gas coal contracts is now drawing to a close, and most of the collieries have now settled the major part of their contracts, but unfortunately, from their point of view, they have been compelled to agree to reduced prices, and these reductions when totalled up will mean a material decrease in the income of the collieries. Best qualities of good steam coal are in fair demand, and the railway companies are taking a good tonnage, owing to their increased summer traffic. With reference to coal for shipment, the position at Liverpool and Birkenhead is somewhat easier, and some shipments have been effected, but not to any great extent. The dispute with the dock side men still remains unsettled. Slack has improved, as owing to the collieries having to work short time, there has been a reduced output of slack, with the result that the ruling prices are a trifle better than they were. Gas coke remains at the same level as last quoted. The week’s current quotations are as follow.-— Prices at pit f.o.r.: — Best house coal ...... Secondary do.......... Steam coal............ , Gas coal............. Bunkers............... Nuts ................. Slack ................ Gas coke (at works)... Prices landsale:— Best house coal ...... Seconds .............. Slack ................ Current prices. 14/4-15/3 13/4-14/ 12/ -12/6 12/ -12/6 11/6-12/3 11/ -11/9 6/9- 7/9 11/8-13/4 18/4-20/ 16/8-18/4 10/ -12/6 L’st week’s Last year’s prices. : prices. 14/6-15/ 15/ -16/ 13/6-14/6 14/ -15/ 12/ -12/6 ! 12/3-12/9 12/3-12/9 ' 13/ -14/ 12/ -12/3 ) 12/ -12/6 11/3-12/3 i 11/ -12/ ' 6/ - 7/6 | 6/ - 8/6 i 18/4-19/2 ! 17/6-18/4 i 16/8—17/6 i 16/8-17/6 j 10/ -12/6 ; 10/ -12/6 Monmouthshire, South Wales, Ac. Newport. COAL. The steam coal market has been thoroughly disorganised by the war crisis, business being almost at a standstill. A good deal is being heard of foreign contracts being cancelled, and there is no doubt that serious interference of the usual course of business has taken place. This has not had the effect of depressing prices, for sellers are really quoting higher figures for forward delivery, and even for prompt shipment are very firm. There appears to be a fairly good enquiry, but it is most difficult at present to ascertain the true position of the market, although it is clear that the business placed has been upon terms to the seller’s Prices f.o.b. cash 30 days, less 2| per cent. Steam coals:— Best Black Vein large... W estern-valleys, ordin’y < Best Eastern-valleys ... Secondary do. Best small coals ________ Secondary do........., ............ Inferior do......... ...... Screenings............! Through coals ........' Best washed nuts.....! Other sorts :— ? Best house coal........ Secondary do__________ Patent fuel __________ Furnace coke.......... Foundry coke ........ Current prices. 17/3-17/6 16/ -16/3 15/6-16/ 15/ -15/6 8/3- 8/6 7/6- 7/9 7/ - 7/6 8/6 11/9-12/3 11/6-12/6 18/ -19/6 17/ —18/ 19/6—20/ 17/6-18/6 20/ -23/ L st week’s Last year’s prices. ! 17/ -17/6 ; 16/ -16/3 < 15/6-15/9 : 15/ -15/3 8/ - 8/6 : 7/6- 7/9 ! 7/ - 7/6 i 8/3- 8/6 S 11/9-12/ ' 11/9-12/3 \ 18/ -19/ i 16 /6-17/6 • 19/ -20/ ! 17/6-18/6 ; 20/ -23/ j prices. 17/ -17/6 16/6-16/9 15/9-16/3 15/6-15/9 7/6- 8/ 7/ - 7/3 6/6- 7/ 13/ -13/6 13/9-14/3 18/ -19/ 17/ -18/ 20/ -20/6 21/9-22/ 25/6-27/6 advantage. The outward freight market shows rate steady, with chartering apparently very quiet. Owners look like holding off for better figures, and show no disposition to rush into fixing. Here as in the coal trade, great uncertainty is clearly apparent. The demand for pitwood is hardly so good, and best French fir is now obtainable at 20s. 6d. ex ship. IRON. Unsatisfactory conditions prevail in the local iron and steel trades, and most works in operation are still only partly employed. Prices generally are unaltered on the week. At the bar mills work is poor, and business generally is aS dull as can possibly be. There were 9,000 tons of foreign bars imported here last week, and for these quotations remain unaltered. There is a dearth of orders in the rail department. The only order of any importance that has been placed of late with a South Wales firm is for 1,000 tons for Ceylon. In the pig iron market matters remain very gloomy, and there appear no. hopes of any improvement for some time to come. Values are nominally unaltered. Iron ore is a quiet market at last figures. A slight improvement has been shown in the tin-plate department, and there is a better feeling. The restriction of stocks that will be caused by the stop week should improve prices, but will hardly improve the demand, which remains exceedingly small. Cardiff. COAL. The serious complications which have arisen in the Near East have had a depressing effect on the coal trade in this district, and although most collieries report full order books for the next few weeks, the difficulty of obtaining the necessary tonnage is already being felt, and this position is likely to be more acute as time goes on. There is a natural disinclination on the part of ship owners to charter their vessels to ports in the war area owing to the risks of capture, and until something more definite is known as to whether the belligerents will be confined to a circumscribed district there is not much prospect of immediate shipments to the ports affected. Up to the present freights have not shown any material alteration, but stiffer rates are antici- pated for eastern destinations. As has been mentioned from time to time in these columns, there has been con- siderable buying of best Admiralty coal during the past few weeks by the Austrian and Greek navies, and although the Russian Government has not been in the market for any specific quantity, it is known that a good many cargoes have been purchased for naval purposes, the total of which- would make up a very substantial figure. This accounts in great measure for the firmness which has been manifest in the best class of Welsh steam coals, and this exceptionally strong tone has been steadily maintained, even when the inferior grades have been inclined to weakness. Shipments last week were considerably above the average for the last few weeks, and from Cardiff amounted to no less than 426,105 tons, compared with 343,479 tons in the corre- sponding week of last year, or an increase of 82,626 tons. From Newport there was an increase of 20,229 tons, from Swansea a decrease of 28 tons, and from Port Talbot a decline of 1,853 tons. Chartering also showed a little increase, but the business done is not considered equal to the requirements of shippers during the next few weeks. The tonnage taken up was 292,250 tons, compared with 264,830 tons in the preceding six days, or an increase of 27,420 tons. The following table shows the details of the shipments to the various countries during June compared with the same month of last year:— June 1914. Tons. June 1913. Tons. Russia 90,697 69,412 Sweden 21,664 16,646 Norway 8.702 6,715 Germany 28,607 16,951 Netherlands 12,290 9,388 Belgium 32,708 40,599 France 541,455 650,067 Algeria 31,237 51,911 French Somaliland — 5,217 Madagascar 5,711 — Portugal 68,703 88,376 Madeira 4,052 12,727 Spain 113,369 112,011 Canary Islands 45,693 46,880 Italy 337,054 432.918 Austria-Hungary 20,143 15,743 Greece 41,726 28,291 Bulgaria 9,235 — Roumania 21,933 15,678 Turkey (European) 14,274 — „ (Asiatic) 35,406 5,563 Egypt 153,635 134,034 Tunis 18,112 11,018 China (exclusive of Hong Kong, Macao, and leased territories) 6,736 Chile 27,022 64,213 Brazil 128,313 137,732 Uruguay 51,576 59.897 Argentine Republic 202,463 267,069 Channel Islands 6.451 4,386 Gibraltar 6,589 13,496 Malta and Gozo 34,126 24,354 Protectorate of Nigeria 4,724 7,099 Mauritius and Dependencies 1,500 9,007 Aden and Dependencies 5,708 12,639 British India 12.301 11,910 Ceylon and Dependencies... 26,096 29.153 West Africa (French) 6,557 17.909 (Portuguese)... 5,645 15,590 East Africa (Italian) ...... — 5,301 The strike of marine engineers still continues, and at the time of writing there wore reported to be 29 vessels laid up, of which 18 were loaded and 11 undergoing repairs. With regard to current price's, best Admiralties are still firmly quoted at 21s. to 23s., and there is no disposition to recede from the latter figure for future business. Superior seconds are 20s. (id. to 21s.. which is slightly in advance of last week, and ordinaries are about 17s. 9d. to 18s. Negotiations have been concluded, so it is reported, in the latter grade at prices below these figures, but the circumstances were considered exceptional and therefore do not form a guide to the current market rate. Monmouth-