October 23, 1914.

The colliery guardian.

879

coals are not taken out in terms of the contract, the
differences will have to be paid.

It has been officially stated that H.M.S. “ Yarmouth ”
has sunk the German Hamburg-Amerika line steamer
“ Markomannia,” and has captured the Greek steamer
“ Pontopores,” both of which vessels are said to be colliers
from which the “Emden ” replenished her supplies. The
“ Markomannia” was specially engaged for this purpose,
but it is believed that the Greek vessel was commandeered.

The Australian Commonwealth has issued a Proclamation
prohibiting the export of coal.

The French Minister of Justice has sent to all the
Procurateurs-General instructions confirming the orders
previously given to them to proceed with the seizure and
sequestration of all real and other property of German,
Austrian, and Hungarian commercial houses carrying on
commerce, industry or agriculture in France, whether these
houses have ceased operations since the declaration of war
or not, even in cases where they have concealed their true
identity by assuming the form of a French company or
have sheltered themselves under cover of a third party,
whether of French, allied, or neutral nationality.

Among important German companies which are stated to
be paying no dividend is the Deutsch-Luxemburg Mining
Company, which has a share capital of <£6'500,000. This
company has paid either 10 or 11 per cent, for many years
past.

For some years past a steadily increasing stream of
enquiries has been received by the Imperial Institute from
manufacturers, merchants, and others in Great Britain and
the Colonies. These enquiries relate principally to sources
of supply of raw materials, methods of utilising new
products from the Colonies and India, or to new or little
known processes and machinery for industrial purposes.
The number of these enquiries has now become so great
that the Secretary of State for the Colonies has authorised
the formation of a Technical Information Bureau at the
Institute for dealing with them. This Bureau will be a
special branch of the Scientific and Technical Research
Department, and will be staffed by experts who have had
the advantage of experience in the work of that department
of the Imperial Institute, which is carried on in communica-
tion with producers in the Colonies and with manufacturers
and users of raw materials in this country.

In consequence of the situation brought about by the
war, and of the opportunity afforded for an extension of our
export trade, the Council of the Sheffield University have
approved the formation of a University Scientific Advisory
Committee, consisting of the members of the Science and
Applied Science Faculties and of the Department of
Economics. They suggest that, as far as possible, the
resources of the University shall be available in one or
other of the following ways:—(1) By directing manufac-
turers, experimenters and inventors to scientific and
technical literature bearing upon the difficulties with
which they are presented in dealing with new problems ;
(2) by putting manufacturers into communication with
suitable scientific and practical expert opinion, and giving
such other help or advice as it may be within the power of
the staff to give.

The Board of Trade announces that in the trades
compulsorily insured against unemployment, the percentage
of unemployment at October 16 was 4’46, as compared with
4*80 a week ago and 5*79 a month ago. These figures relate
to the whole of the United Kingdom, and include all
unemployed workmen in the insured trades. As regards
the uninsured trades, the number of men and women on the
registers of the Labour Exchanges at October 16 shows a
decrease on the figures a week previously, being 60,694, as
compared with 63,561. For men alone, the corresponding
figures were 25,976 and 28,380, and for women 34,718 and
35,181.

In the King’s Bench Division, on the 16th inst., Mr.
Justice Bailhache decided, in the matter of Robinson and
Co. v. Continental Insurance Company, Mannheim—in
which the question was raised whether the plaintiffs could
proceed with their action against the alien enemy
defendants, or whether the defendants could have the pro-
ceedings suspended till the end of the war—that the
plaintiffs had a right to proceed, and that the common law
permitted of no suspension. In giving judgment, his
lordship said the defendant company asked for postponement,
as they had become alien enemies. The action was on a
policy of marine insurance effected with the defendant
company on behalf of the plaintiffs, who were British
subjects. The policy was effected before the war, and the
pleadings were closed before the war. There was plenty of
authority for the proposition that an alien enemy could not
sue as plaintiff, while hostilities were in progress, if there
was an objection taken by the defendant. If an action
against an alien enemy was suspended it was to injure the
British subject in favour of the alien enemy, and to turn a
disability into a relief. He was of opinion that the rule of
suspension only applied where the alien enemy was plaintiff,
and that war did not suspend an action against an enemy
defendant. He was of opinion that the alien enemy
defendant would appear to defend, as to refuse to allow
him to defend himself would be opposed to the fundamental
principles of justice. No state of war could demand or
justify the condemnation by a civil court of a man unheard.
Therefore his judgment was that there was no rule of
common law that suspended the action against the alien
enemy defendant, and no rule that prevented him from
appearing to conduct his defence. At present he could not
make an order entitling an alien enemy to costs till after
the war, and the right of the defendant to issue execution
would have to be suspended till after the war.

The Press Bureau has issued the following statement:—
The Government propose to allow the use of a limited
number of authorised codes for telegraphic traffic between
the United Kingdom, on the one hand, and countries
outside Europe, on the other. A further announcement
will be made as to the date on which the concession will
come into force, and the conditions under which it will be
allowed.

Doncaster, as a rapidly rising industrial centre, is asking
itself seriously whether there is no section of German trade
or commerce which it can set itself out to capture as
compensation for any inconvenience or loss caused through
the war. Its thoughts as a colliery centre are turning in
the direction of aniline dyes. Discussions have recently
taken place at various chambers of commerce in Yorkshire

in regard to the proposals of the Board of Trade to establish
a Government factory for the production of these dyes, in
order to meet the shortage of dye stuffs which threaten to
hamper the textile trade. It is stated that about 33 per
cent, of the coal tar used in the manufacture of these
aniline dyes is exported to Germany through the Humber
ports. Doncaster, it is therefore felt, would be an ideal
centre for such a factory, situated as it is in the midst of a
large coalfield. As there is no local chamber of commerce
it is suggested the Corporation should take the matter up.

H.M. Ambassador at Rome writes (September 13) that
at the present moment a very favourable opportunity is
afforded to British firms to recapture trade in Italy, and
especially in Milan. It is stated that not only are importers
very uncertain as to the extent to which Germany will be
able to supply their demands in the future, but such a wave
of antipathy to Germany and German methods has swept
over Italy, while at the same time such enthusiasm for
England and the English prevail, that there is a desire to
deal with British firms and to boycott German trade. It is
stated that if competent travellers or agents with a know-
ledge of Italian and ability to quote prices in the metric
system were to visit Milan at the present time they would
be able to do an extensive business, and possibly to find new
markets. There is stated to be a good opening for pig iron.

A correspondent of The Times, writing on the subject of
coaling German warships, says : — “It is permissible,
perhaps, to wonder whether American coal is still being
shipped to South American ports for this purpose. The
stocks of coal at the port of Bahia seem to be in need of
considerably more replenishment than hitherto. Soon after
the outbreak of war a British steamer was chartered at the
high rate of 25s. per ton freight to carry a cargo of
4,500 tons of coal to that port, and already another
steamer is being sought for to carry a further 4,500
tons for delivery there. This time a neutral steamer is
required and, the market being easier, a freight of 15s. per
ton will probably be paid. Bahia is not a large coaling
station, its principal trade usually being done in sailing
ships. An Italian steamer was chartered the other day to
carry about 6,000 tons of coal from Virginia to Punta
Arenas in the Straits of Magellan. Already a steamer is
being asked for to convey a further 4,500 tons, sailing a
month later. It is suggested that these cargoes are for
coaling the American Fleet, however, though it must be
admitted that coal so required is usually chartered through
a different channel. It is hardly probable, all the same,
that German war-vessels wishing to leave the Pacific to
join an Atlantic squadron could get so far as the Straits of
Magellan upon such supplies as would be obtainable in the
Pacific.”

Mr. Knudsen, president of the Norwegian Chamber of
Commerce in London, has stated that, in his opinion, the
view that Germany is receiving large quantities of necessary
imports through the Scandinavian countries is in marked
degree being exaggerated. He states that, at the beginning
of the war the Scandinavian countries were fairly short of
supplies. All three countries draw large supplies of coal
from Germany, but naturally most of the existing contracts
remained unfulfilled. As a matter of fact, he says, some
coals were brought from America at very high prices.

An explanation regarding the increased shipments of
coal to Denmark has been put forward by the Press of that
country. It is pointed out that the August export from
England to Denmark fell off by about 100,000 tons. The
September import naturally increased, first, because of the
deficit which had to be made up; secondly, because, in view
of the prevailing uncertainty, the people began to lay in
stocks; thirdly, because of the reduction in the normal
supply from Germany. The total quantity imported from
January 1 to September 30 this year amounted to 2,412,212
tons, as compared with 2,311,433 in the corresponding
period of 1913. But the unusual activity of the Danish
Navy, which accounts for 20,000 tons, and the buying up by
the State railways of about the same amount, taken in
combination with the abnormal public and private purchases
of stocks against emergencies, may, it is urged, reasonably
explain this increase of rather over 100,000 tons.

LABOUR AND WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

About 150 men and boys have been idle, the notices ten-
dered at Crumlin Valley Colliery, near Pontypool, having
expired on Saturday. The dispute has relation to the price
list.

At the Conciliation Board meeting on Monday, the chair-
man on the owners’ side directed attention of the workmen’s
representatives to the fact that the men of Cwmvale and
Tirbach collieries (Messrs. Thomas Williams and Sons) had
not returned to work, although the sub-committee appointed
by the Board to deal with existing stoppages had arrived
at settlement in the case of Cwmvale, and had practically
agreed upon terms with regard to Tirbach.

Several disputes were brought before the Board, and
arrangements were made to refer them for investigation.

Mr. W. Brace, M.P. (president of the South Wales
Federation) brought before the Conciliation Board an appli-
cation that the amount of the levy which is being deducted
at the collieries for the Prince of Wales’s Fund should be
handed over to the Federation, and not to the committee of
the Fund, as the Federation wished to be able to themselves
give allowances to the men out of employment. Mr. .Davis,
the owners’ chairman, pointed out, however, that it was by
request of the workmen's representatives that the levy
should be deducted and the amount given over to the com-
mittee; and he said it would be necessary for the owners’
representatives to consider any suggestion that the workmen
might have for altering that first arrangement. The work-
men will therefore submit their proposal in writing.

North of England.

The Northumberland Miners’ Association’s executive has
passed a resolution supporting the Labour Party's proposal
that the Government should allow soldiers’ wives £1 per
week, £1 per week to the dependent mothers of unmarried
soldiers, £1 per week to the widows or dependants of soldiers
killed in action, and £1 per week to soldiers totally disabled.

The Northumberland Miners’ Association is now endeavour-
ing to recover a portion of the money disbursed in unem-
ployment benefit. As an unapproved society under the
National Insurance Act, the association has claimed one-

sixth of the money expended in unemployment relief. A
favourable reply to this claim has been received from the
Board of Trade, and, when the association has complied
with certain formalities, the request will probably be granted.
The Board has also offered to make an emergency loan to
the union, so that the latter may cope with any extra unem-
ployment occasioned by the war. This, however, is on con-
dition that the union levies its members at the rate of from
Id. to 6d. per week per member, according to circumstances.
The association is hoping to avoid making this levy r by
reason of the fact that miners in the country are contributing
heavily to local and national funds, and, it is stated, are
giving much more in this way than could be raised by the
suggested levy. The matter will come before the executive
committee of the association in due course.

The executive of the Northumberland Miners’ Association
is asking the members to sanction the indefinite postpone-
ment of the half-yearly council meeting, which, normally,
would be held in November, so that the discussion of con-
troversial questions may be avoided in this time of national
crisis.

Arrangements have been made for providing work for
the next two or three weeks for the miners thrown idle by
the closing of the Hedley Hill Colliery, and, meanwhile, it
is hoped that most of the men w*ill be able to obtain work
at other collieries.

The branches of the Northumberland Miners’ Association
have received a circular letter from the secretary, Mr. W.
Straker, regarding the half-yearly council meeting, which,
in ordinary circumstances, falls due next month. In the
opinion of the executive committee the meeting should not
be held at the present time. It is pointed out that several
large trade unions and associations are postponing such
meetings, so that discussion of controversial questions,
which tend to divide the people, or any section of the people,
may be avoided at this time of national crisis.

f	Federated Area.

The Derbyshire Miners’ Association proposes to make a
grant of £250 on behalf of trade unions in Belgium. At a
meeting of the executive council on Saturday last, the ques-
tion of distress consequent upon the war, and the steps which
are being taken to alleviate it in different localities, was
ventilated by a circular from the Miners’ Federation asking
for information concerning Derbyshire. The council passed
a resolution endorsing the policy of the Labour Party in
favour of a minimum payment of £1 per wTeek. Scales of
relief had been obtained from various districts, and from
these it appeared that against a maximum of 25s. at Wake-
field, the highest amount at Chesterfield was 15s. per week,
although the Prince of Wales’s Fund was drawn upon in
both cases. Regarding the Local Government Board’s con-
cession to trade unions finding themselves financially ham-
pered through excessive unemployment, owing to the w*ar,
the council found serious fault with the stipulation that a
special levy should be raised from members, in addition to
the ordinary contributions. It was contended that in the
case of trade unions which could meet claims for out-of-work
pay from its ordinary funds, special consideration should be
showm; otherwise injustice would be done to trade unions
which had built up large funds as compared with other
organisations which had squandered their funds. A resolu-
tion embodying this view was ordered to be forwarded for
discussion at the National Miners’ Conference this week.

Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades.

A striking manifesto has just been issued by the executive
council of the Associated Iron and Steel Workers of Great
Britain to the members of that organisation. The mani-
festo is headed “ Our Duty During the War,” and it declares
that either we must win for the triumph of political and
industrial freedom, or be crushed by a military despotism
beneath whose iron heel all industrial freedom would be
utterly destroyed. After a reference to the thousands of
their fellow* workmen throughout the iron and steel trade wTho
have gone to hurl back the German despot, the council say :—
“We also who remain have our great fight, and that is to
capture, as far as w*e can, the German iron and steel trade
built up by unfair, underhanded, and unscrupulous methods.
The German nation would not only crush our Army, but
would crush and cripple our industry. That is their aim !
To beat them in the industrial fight is the great privilege
of every industrial worker who stays at home. Now is the
time, and now the opportunity which may never occur again.
No throwing down tools—suppose ‘ Tommy ’ threw down
his rifle? No stopping away from work—‘ Tommy ’ doesn’t
stop away from the fight, he’s eager to be in it! We must
be out to win. There is no room at the front
for ‘ Weary Willies ’ and ‘ Tired Tims ’ — they take
good care not to go. . . . Every reasonable diffi-
culty can and will easily be dealt with by and through our
association and Wages Boards — but they must be real!
Don’t manufacture or magnify them. Just as our work-
mates who have gone to the front, fight to conquer the vain
German despot, so we at home must w*ork to win and keep
our industrial supremacy ! ’ ’

The wages of the men employed in the “ steam section ”
of the West of Scotland steel trade have been increased
by 10 per cent, as from October 12. This advance, which
averages an increase of 3s. 6d. per week, benefits over 2,000
men, and is due to the prosperous condition of the Scottish
steel trade and the consequent rise in prices. The w*ages
are regulated by a sliding scale, adjusted by a Conciliation
Board, and the present advance is based on a £1 per ton
rise in the selling price of ship plate two months ago. It
is stated that the briskness is due to the stoppage of imports
from foreign countries.

The Sale of the Harworth Colliery.—Efforts which have
been made to transfer the colliery at Harworth, near Don-
caster, from its Anglo-German ownership to an all-British
company, it is stated, have ended in a deadlock. The pro-
ject was backed by a prominent English colliery owner, and
the necessary capital was forthcoming, but it was found that
the Northern Union Mining Company, the owners of the
colliery, was registered as an English company, and to effect
the transfer of the shares from the German holders it would
be necessary to obtain the signed consent of these holders.
This is obviously impossible in the case of the German share-
holders, who have a preponderating influence in the colliery,
and, furthermore, such transaction would be contrary to the
law against trading with enemy aliens. In these circum-
stances the partly sunk colliery must remain at a standstill,
as work cannot be pursued owing to the exhaustion of the
supply of capital from Germany. The German workmen
brought over to carry out the sinking operations have been
removed by the military, and remain in custody.