474

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

August 28, 1914

provided they are not treasonable, and, but for the
existence of the state of war, lawful, are permitted
to continue; but according to the Law Journal it is
not clear to what extent such dealings may legally be
carried on, and certainly they would be illegal if the
result were to enable an alien enemy to transmit
either money or goods to his own country. In
practice it must be extremely difficult to lay down
any general rule upon this point. Theoretically, any
any dealings which add to the wealth of an alien
enemy increase the potential danger of his residence
amongst us. But, on the other hand, we must not
lose sight of the fact that the possession of a profitable
business in a foreign country would naturally tend
to make aliens careful not to fall foul of the law, and
so jeopardise their undertaking. In this connection
an official announcement has just been issued by the
Treasury defining the limits of permissible trading.
This is given in full in another column of this issue.

A still more important point was raised on
Wednesday in the House of Commons when Mr. J. M.
Henderson asked the President of the Board of
Trade whether it was proposed to grant licences
to trade to companies recently registered in England
the shares of which were held by Germans living
in Germany, and which companies were merely a
change of name from the original German firms or
companies, the ownership being the same —viz.,
German. Mr. Bunciman replied that enquiries
were being made into this matter, which would have
very earnest consideration, and pending his decision
it would perhaps be well to suspend any remarks
upon the matter, beyond stating that our legal
contemporary the Law Times expresses the emphatic
opinion that a corporation has no nationality, and no
‘fixed domicile. It may have a head office in several
countries. It may be managed in one and carry on
business in another. Incorporation is mere recog-
nition, and involves no responsibility or control.
We must remember, however, the recent activity
of German capitalists in our coalfields, and the
possibility of shipping coal for the ultimate use of
the German navy. This would not be a difficult
matter by the medium of a neutral port. It might
even be done directly by the simple process of
allowing themselves to be captured by the enemy’s
fleet.

As the Law Times says, the position of an enemy
subject in England may be a very delicate one. His
property may be confiscable, his contracts may be
void, and the courts may be closed to him; but if he
is here by the express or tacit leave of the Crown it
is difficult to see how the ordinary privileges of
traders can be denied him.

The whole matter bristles with difficulties, and it
does not seem any more reasonable to permit German
companies to own British coalfields than to allow
them to trade on the high seas in German ships.
The latter are speedily being brought before the
prize courts, why should not something of the same
kind be done to the former, unless, owing to domicile
or for some other reason, the country is prepared to
treat them more leniently.

LABOUR AND WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

The executive council of the South Wales Miners’ Federa-
tion met in Cardiff on Monday, when a report was sub-
mitted as to the prevalence of unemployment in the coal-
field owing to the war. This showed that, whilst a great
number were on short time, close upon 10,000 were actually
idle. It was resolved to call a special conference of dele-
gates, and to recommend that a general levy be made at
the weekly rate of 6d. per man and 3d. per boy in aid of
those in distress, the employers be asked to keep back the
money in the offices, and the proceeds be handed over to
the Prince of Wales’s Fund. A deputation is to be sent to
the Local Government Board with the request that local
authorities be empowered to undertake work which will
furnish employment.

Mr. Watts Morgan, in the course of a speech at Penrhiw-
ceiber on Sunday, answered complaints raised among some
sections of the men that the coal raised from the collieries
on the Admiralty list was not exclusively used for the
Fleet; some of it was being kept in stock. Mr. Morgan
stated that this was not true, but that the Admiralty were
taking the whole of the output, and for the present coal
owners were simply nominally in charge of their collieries,
and had to act upon instructions of the Admiralty. He

strongly urged the men to be unanimous, for the present
was not a time to quibble or split hairs. It was their duty
as miners to act in the best interests of the community at
large. He said that, with one or two exceptions, the extra
hour was being worked by all the Rhondda collieries that
were on the Admiralty list.

Owing to the difficulty which has arisen of securing the
legal proportion of votes under their regulations for amal-
gamation with the Miners’ Federation, the Colliery
Enginemen and Stokers’ Association have determined to
aPPly f°r cancelling of the certificate of their registration.

North of England.

In response to a circular by the Northumberland Miners’
Association, the secretaries of the various lodges have for-
warded the following details regarding the pits which are
working badly and the number of men entitled to unemployed
benefit at each Backworth Church Pit, 500; Maud Pit,
700; Bedlington, 600; Bomarsund, 350; Seaton Burn, 750;
Cambois, 600; Cowpen, 800; Cramlington Ann Pit, 350;
West Pit, 250; Betsy Pit, 26; Crofton, 550; Old Delaval,
550; Hazelrigg, 700; Netherton Hall, 250; Netherton
Howard Pits (2), 225; Pegswood, 400; Newbiggin, 800;
North Seaton, 1,000; Sleekburn, 550; West Sleekbum,
600; Burradon, 1,100; Ben well, 300; Barrington, 600; North
Walbottle, 1,000; Dudley, 600; Shankhouse, 350 — total,
14,496. Other lodges have not yet sent the details in to
the head office. To pay this enormous number of unem-
ployed miners the association has only about £12,500
available.

Mr. W. Graham, of Moresby, presided over a meeting of
the Cumberland Coal Conciliation Board at Workington on
the 19th. The coal owners withdrew an application they
had laid before the Minimum Wage Board for a reduction
of the minimum wage rates. The question of working the
pits short time during the war, and the possible effect, were
discussed. Arrangements were made in regard to notices,
and there appeared to be a willingness to meet the situation
as it arose in an amicable spirit. The position at Water-
gate Colliery was discussed at some length, and it was
finally agreed that a meeting of the men should be held,
and addressed by a deputation from the Cumberland Miners’
Association.

The Seaton Moor Colliery, the property of the Flimby
and Broughton Moor Colliery Company, which has been
idle for some months, was re-started on Wednesday morning.
The Bertha Colliery, belonging to the same company, which
has been idle since the miners’ holiday, also re-commenced
work on Monday morning.

As a result of the findings of the Cumberland Coal Con-
ciliation Board, held at Workington on August 19, with
reference to the dispute which has been pending at Water-
gate Pit, near Maryport, for the last five weeks, a largely
attended meeting of the men was held at White Croft, near
Flimby, the following afternoon, and addressed by a depu-
tation from the Cumberland Miners’ Association. The
deputation consisted of Messrs. Andrew Sharp and T. Cape
(agents), Messrs. T. G. Keating and R. Rigg (Buckhill),
and Mr. John Barker (Siddick), and after all the five had
addressed the meeting, and the terms were submitted to
the men, it was finally decided to accept the same, and if
the directors of the Flimby Colliery Company agreed, the
pit would start as soon as possible. The questions that
were submitted to the meeting were a reduction in the
minimum rate of wages paid to hewers at this colliery, and
several adjustments of the standards in some of the seams
in the colliery. These questions are to be submitted to
special committees of the Minimum Wage and Conciliation
Boards. The 10 per cent, reduction asked for by the com-
pany some time ago has been withdrawn. It was decided
that the same deputation, with the addition of another
workman, meet the directors and have another interview.
The deputation referred to met the directors of the Flimby
Colliery Company at the Risehow Office on Friday after-
noon, along with Mr. T. P. Martin, coal owners’ secretary,
and after a long interview the conditions were drawn up,
and it was finally put to the directors and then to the men,
and both sides agreed as to the terms of settlement, and
the pit therefore resumed work on Monday morning. The
decision arrived at has given general satisfaction in the
district. Upwards of 400 men are employed at Watergate,
and, in addition to these, about 130 are employed at the
company’s coke ovens, which have been idle for the past
fortnight owing to a scarcity of coal.

Northumberland Miners’ Association is likely to be hard
hit by the unemployment of so many of its members, and
last week a special meeting of the trustees was called to
consider the financial position of the union. ' Mr. Chas.
Fenwick, M.P., presided, and Mr. John Cairns, financial
secretary of the association, reported on the position of the
union funds. After a discussion it was decided to take steps
to meet the demands as the circumstances determine.

The Durham Miners’ Association has issued a circular
relative to the payment of benefits for stoppages caused by
the war. After the introductory remarks, the circular
reads :—“ A large number of our collieries are laid idle
altogether, or are working very slack time. As a conse-
quence, there will be a great demand made upon our funds—
greater than we can bear in our crippled condition if our
full rule allowance has to be paid. It is not what we would
desire; but what can we do? . . . We have a large number
of claims for rule benefit already sent in, and many
enquiries from lodges where short time is being worked.
With these very pressing claims (which are increasing, and,
if the war continues, will increase) staring us in the face,
and being fully aware, as you are, that we cannot meet them
as per rule, we have deemed it necessary to issue a supple-
mentary programme bf our council meeting. With this end
in view, the committee place before the members the follow-
ing proposals (to be discussed at the council meeting on
August 20) :—Whether they should suspend the operation
of the rule as to the amount of contribution to the labour
department; whether the benefit from the labour depart-
ment should be reduced; whether the contributions to the
labour departments should be increased; or whether the
question should be left to the executive committee to decide.”

Federated Area.

Mr. James Martin (Staveley) presided over the council
meeting of the Derbyshire Miners’ Association held at
Chesterfield on Saturday. The trouble at Glapwell Colliery
still continues on the questions of lamps and non-union
labour. Permission was given to the men to ballot, with a
view to handing in their notices unless electric lamps are
introduced and the employment of non-union men is dis-
continued. Experiments have been made by the colliery
company with another kind of lamp, but this, the men
report, is not satisfactory, and electric lamps are pressed
for.

The full text of the amended rules and rates under award
dated July 21, 1914, made by his Honour Judge Amphlett,
K.C., the independent chairman of the Joint District Board
of West Yorkshire under the Coal Mines (Minimum Wage)
Act, is given in the Board of Trade Labour Gazette. The
new rates have already been published in the Colliery
Guardian. Attention may now be directed to some of the
more important alterations in the rules.

Rule 2. (Attendance).—It is now provided that “ justi-
fiable cause ” for non-attendance shall include absence from
work in consequence of attending general meetings or
council meetings of the Yorkshire Miners’ Association, meet-
ings of the District Board, County Councils, Town Councils,
Urban or District Councils, and Boards of Guardians, of
which due notice (not less than three days where possible)
shall have been given to the management.

Rule 3. (Forfeiture).—The following clause is new :—(5)
A workman paid by piecework rates shall forfeit his right
to wages at the minimum rate on any day on which he fails
to perform such an amount of work as shall, at the hewing
or other piecework rates applicable to him, be equivalent to
the amount of the minimum wage applicable to him, unless
such failure is due to some cause over which he has no con-
trol, and of which he shall have given notice to the proper
official before the end of the shift if practicable, or, if not,
as soon as possible thereafter.

Rule 5. (Stoppages).—It is now provided that 20 minutes
notice of a decision to “ knock off ” shall be sent down the
pit previous to one-quarter, one-half, or three-quarters of
the shift, as the case may be.

Rule 6. (Strikes).—This rule does not apply now “ to any
workman who, although prevented by such stoppage from
doing his own work, is ordered to perform, and does per-
form, some other work in lieu thereof,” the words in italics
being new.

Rule 8. (Settlement of Differences).—It is now provided
that a question may be referred to a chairman, if either side
wilfully fails to meet on the date fixed by the two secre-
taries.

Rules 9 and 10. (Certificates).—The old rules relating to
certificates of decisions, under Rule 8, and the cancellation
of certificates signed by workmen under duress, etc., have
been omitted, the following being substituted :—The certi-
ficate of forfeiture of the right to a minimum wage shall be
valid if signed by the manager of the mine and some person
working in and about the mine nominated by the workman
or workmen, or by three members of the said committee, or
by the chairman chosen by them or nominated by the chair-
man of the district board, and shall take effect as from the
date therein specified.

Bcttland.

Arrangements have been made between the Fife and
Clackmannan Coal Owners’ Association and the Fife and
Kinross Miners’ Association, for the working of the pits
in the counties during the war. A conference was held
between both bodies, and the principal point under discussion
was whether the men should forego the usual 14 days’ notice.
The officials of the men’s union have had a series of meet-
ings in various districts with the men, who agreed to forego
the 14 days’ notice, in so far as it related to the changing
of the men. Arrangements have now been made with the
management at the various collieries and the local commit-
tees whereby all the work that is to be had will be evenly
distributed. In other words, one pit at a colliery which
may be working full time will be manned for some days
by men who are engaged in another pit which may be idle.
The pit® around Kelty are suffering severely from the crisis;
Lassodie Mill, Blairadam, and Blairenbathie Collieries are
only working two days a week, while Kinnaird Mine is
being shut down. The men engaged in Kinnaird will be
put in the Mary Pit at Lochore, where a new splint seam
has been opened up.

Trade Unions and the War.

Mr. Arthur Henderson, M.P., presided on Monday over
a conference of National Labour Committees to consider the
position of trade unions in view of the war crisis. The con-
ference consisted of the Parliamentary Committee of the
Trade Union Congress, the Management Committee of the
General Federation of Trade Unions, and the Executive
Committee of the Labour Party. Important recommenda-
tions were passed, and a deputation was appointed to the
Government with a view to obtaining the necessary assist-
ance to enable the recommendations to be carried into effect.
The following are the resolutions :—

(1)	That an immediate effort be made to terminate all
existing trade disputes, whether strikes or lock-outs, and
whenever new points of difficulty arise during the war
period a serious attempt should be made by all concerned to
reach an amicable settlement before resorting to a strike
or lock-out.

(2)	That the Government be requested to use its influence
with the employing classes, so that wherever possible there
may be brought about a complete cessation of overtime in
order that unemployment may be minimised. It is also
suggested that short time should become operative in any
trade or workshop where full time cannot be maintained
rather than that the non-employment of many workers
should be rendered necessary.

(3)	That the Government be requested to take into con-
sideration the serious position in which trade unions must
inevitably be placed if compelled to use their funds to make
provision for unemployment existing during the war crisis,
and to take steps through the provision of an appropriation
grant for subsidising the unions or by giving the necessary
assistance through the local relief committee, which will
enable all working class citizens to obtain uniform assist-
ance, and incidentally enable the unions to continue the pay-
ment of sick, superannuation, and similar beneficent benefits.

(4)	That in the event of the Government agreeing to make
the necessary provision for unemployment, those unions
whose rules provide for unemployment benefit agree to sus-
pend to the extent of the weekly amount of the Govern-
ment subsidy payment of this benefit during the war period,
including the benefit under the Insurance Act, Part IL, and
to carry into effect the following proposals :—

(а)	That all members of the union called up as Reservists
or as Territorials, or who may volunteer for service during
the war period shall be free from the payment of contribu-
tions and levies during their service in the ranks, when
absent with the Colours, except where rates of pay during
such service equal or exceed ordinary trade rates, but to be
reinstated on application upon resumption of civil life and
upon production of certificate of discharge.

(б)	That the unions be recommended to urge upon their
working members to subscribe liberally to the Prince of
Wales’s Fund.