894

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

October 23, 1914.

Notes from the Coalfields.

[Local Correspondence.]

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

Reported Shortage of Boy Labour : Proposal to Reduce Age
Limit—Trade Conditions and the Future Outlook—The
Defect in Official Statistics—The New Form for Coal
Shipments — Developments in By-Product Manufacture
Advocated—Cardiff's £50,000 Technical School—Relief
for Unemployed Miners — A Peculiar Compensation
Case.

The Conciliation Board met on Monday under the presi-
dency of Mr. F. L. Davis (with Mr. W. Brace, M.P., in the
vice-chair), and had before it a suggestion that, because there
was a shortage of boys at the collieries, the age at which
boys are allowed to work underground should be lowered.
At present the practice is that boys shall not go underground
until they are 14 years of age, but the idea now suggested
is that if they were allowed to work at an- earlier age their
earnings would be of material assistance to the wives and
dependants of men who have been called up to the Colours.
Mr. Davis desired that the workmen’s representatives would
givfe consideration to this suggestion, but no decisive answer
was returned, there being an apparent unwillingness on the
part of the men’s leaders, who pointed out the difficulties
that lay in the way of getting that alteration of the law
which (they considered) would be necessary. They did not
accept the statement that there really existed a shortage of
boys.

South Wales presents a striking contrast to certain other
parts of the country in respect of its trade at the present
time, and it is important, bearing in mind the depression in
certain areas, to recognise the fact that, whatever may have
been the unfavourable experience of the past few weeks, the
outlook for the future must not be regarded as unsatisfactory.
Those hindrances to business which existed at the outset of
the war—such as the triple bond and the initial difficulty
of securing remittances from abroad—have been largely over-
come ; and, with the freedom of the sea secured, it is antici-
pated that business must soon approximate more closely to
normal conditions. There are certain difficulties still to be
overcome, but traders are settling down to an understand-
ing of the position; and that uncertainty which hindered
operations during August has been in part removed.

For example, August exports from the Bute Docks,
Cardiff, when compare^ with the exports of August 1913,
were nearly 200,000 tons less, the figures being 681,729, as
compared with 878,620; but September showed an immense,!
improvement in a falling off of less than 10,000 tons, the
figures being 963,845 tons during last September, as com-
pared with 973,749 in the corresponding month of the pre-
ceding year. This return is typical of , all the local docks,
and the improvement may reasonably be accepted as an
indication that trade is settling itself. There is still grave
uncertainty as to the future, but bearing in mind that the
competition of Germany and Belgium is suspended, also
that stocks at the chief depots abroad have been seriously
depleted, there is full justification in expecting a material
increase in trade.

The shipments shown by the Custom House returns must
not be taken as a strictly accurate statement of the position
of trade, because they do not include the very heavy quanti-
ties of coal sent out to Admiralty order; and it is necessary
to repeat this warning, because a wrong idea may be circu-
lated by the official figures. With regard to the allegations
that supplies of coal to Germany are going through Holland,
the disclaimer in regard to South Wales traders is reinforced
by the official figures, which show that coal exports from this
district to Holland were actually lower during September
than they were during the corresponding month of last
year. It is almost a certainty, however, that South Wales
will share with the North-East Coast the increased trade
with Holland that must arise because of the fact that German
coal, and Belgian, will no longer be available for Dutch
buyers. In addition, South Wales looks forward to a largely
increased trade with France, because of the restriction of
work in the French mines. In addition to the heavy ship-
ments of anthracite that are made to France in normal times
from Swansea, it is anticipated that other classes of coal
must necessarily come in demand owing to the limitation of
supplies from the French collieries. Thfe development of
trade has already made marked progress, and must of neces-
sity grow rapidly.

The new form which coal shippers have to supply under
the more stringent regulations of the Customs Department
include a declaration that the shippers have made all neces-
sary enquiries in order to satisfy themselves as to the ulti-
mate destination of the cargo, and also that to the best of
their belief no part is intended for enemy consumption. No
shipments are allowed until this declaration of ultimate
destination in the prescribed form has been lodged with the
Customs officials; and it applies to all foreign ports in
Europe, and also of the Mediterranean and Black Sea,
except for Russia, Belgium, France, Spain, and Portugal.

There is renewed discussion in South Wales at the moment
concerning the practicability of developing the manufacture
of by-products. This originated at the outbreak of the war,
and has been stimulated by a report from the Director of
Technical Education submitted to the Cardiff Corporation
Committee. This authority is at the present time engaged
in building a new technical school at the cost of £50,000,
and the idea of utilising local facilities runs concurrent with
the endeavour of Cardiff Corporation to localise new indus-
tries in their area.

How far German trade in manufacturing chemical products
from coal can be captured by South Wales is a moot point;
for, whilst by-product plant is in operation at nearly all the
large collieries, wide divergence of opinion is manifest as
to the precise direction of the development which is now
advocated. The quality of South Wales coal not being so
favourable as is the coal of other fields to the manufacture
of certain products, there is keen criticism of suggestions
that have been brought forward. The demand for benzol as
a substitute for petrol is put forward as one stimulus to effort,
but, both as to benzol and as to aniline dyes, doubt of profit-
able extract is expressed, owing to the peculiar character of
the bulk of the coal.

The discussion attracts general attention outside the range
of the coal trade itself, because of the need of new industries
at Cardiff. Each of the larger colliery undertakings has put
up plant, the best known being those of Llanbradach,

Llwynypia, and elsewhere in the Rhondda; also at
Bargoed, the Cambrian at Coedely, etc. Sulphate of
ammonia is manufactured to a large extent, and the
curious fact in connection with it is that such
heavy quantities, both from colliery plant and local
gas works, goes to the Far East — China and Japan
being heavy purchasers. Because of the ready market for
tar, it being utilised for road spraying, purchasers for
further utilisation in the way of producing dyes, etc., would
have to meet the competition of local authorities, who are
such large buyers.

It will be remembered that a short time ago, as reported
in these columns, the Cambrian Colliery Company offered
the Rhondda Council to supply from the Glamorgan Colliery
the surplus gas they manufacture, amounting to between
one and two million cubic feet per day, the price being 6d.
per 1,000ft., unpurified; but the local authority did not
accept the offer. The Powell Duffryn Colliery Company at
Bargoed are selling their gas to the Rhymney Gas and Water
Company, and here, of course, is an extra source of profit
to that company’s very successful undertaking.

Mr. Coles, Director of Technical Education in Cardiff, in
the report already referred to, dealt not only with the ques-
tion of further distillation of tar, but also referred to the
fact that a large proportion of the electrical plant put up at
local collieries was from German makers, pointing out that
there was absolutely no reason why the whole of this work
should not be done in this country. Some of the reasons
for prefering the German firms were stated by him to be
the better system of scientific technical education, the
encouragement of research, and the fact that German busi-
ness houses engaged trained men for no other purpose than
that of experiments and research. He dwelt also upon the
lack of show room accommodation by electrical firms in the
United Kingdom, the greater enterprise on the part of
German firms, who are prepared to take risks in the matter
of constructing plant in accordance with new designs, and
especially to the more liberal assistance which German banks
give their manufacturers.

An illuminating incident of the discussion in the Cardiff
Education Committee following the presentation of Mr.
Coles’s report was that it was stated that capitalists could
not be expected to lay out heavy sums of money in new
works until, through proper education, the men. were ready
for engagement in these particular undertakings.

Although the ordinary annual conference of the Miners’
Federation of Great Britain has been postponed, there is to
be a gathering on October 27. General business will not
be transacted, apart from the necessary elections, and the
question of unemployment and distress caused by the war
will come up for chief consideration. The South Wales
leaders are pressing forward two or three aspects of the
wider question as affecting their constituents, for, in addi-
tion to unemployment, they seek to have better provision
made for the support of the wives and children of soldiers and
sailors; also for every man who may be permanently dis-
abled; and to obtain improvement of the method by which
the Prince of Wales’s Fund is being distributed.

Although the local iron and steel trades are not excep-
tionally busy at the present time, every indication exists
of good business at an early date. The larger undertakings
are preparing to ineet the tin-platers’ call for raw material
(now lacking because of the stoppage of German imports),
and it is also stated that preliminary negotiations are on foot
for the acquisition of mills now held by one of the colliery
companies. It is obvious that as soon as the tin-plate and
galvanised sheet trades approach normal conditions, com-
panies which own steel works—such as the Blaenavon,
Ebbw Vale, and Tredegar—will profit materially. The
large new steel works which have been a feature of South
Wales industrial development for some years past will also
make substantial development.

The prohibition of pitwood exports from Finland has not
come as any surprise, because it was foreseen that as soon
as there was any likelihood of cargoes leaving the North
Baltic ports, Germany would declare these to be contraband
of war. The same reason which moved the French military
authorities to excuse men from service in order that they
might provide pitwood for British use will naturally operate
in the minds of the Germans, who very clearly recognise
that coal supplies are of prime importance to the British
Navy. It has, however, to be noted that, whatever be the
restriction of supplies from the Baltic, no serious shortage
need now be anticipated.

The veteran miners’ leader, Mr. W. Abraham, M.P.
(“ Mabon ”), has signed the manifesto of the Labour Party
favouring prompt action at this time. He states : “ The
war is a righteous war, forced upon us after our Ministers
and leading men had done their best to avoid it. I hate
war, but am thoroughly convinced it is our duty to assist
in its prosecution now.” Mr. Abraham contends, further,
that there should be absolute assurance that the dependants
of the men who enlist shall be liberally treated; and in this
he comes into line with the very powerful demand which is
made throughout the whole district.

The endeavour to raise a company of 250 men entirely
from the Ocean Company’s employees has been successful,
and these will be attached to the Rhondda battalion of the
Welsh Regiment.

The first 1,100 men for the 10th Welsh Regiment
(Rhondda battalion) have already been sent off for training,
and good advance has been made towards the second 1,100.
These, of course, are only sections of the total, Rhondda
having sent in all not far short of 8,000. Practically the
whole body of these recruits are miners.

The case in which the Pwllbach Colliery owners are con-
cerned came once more into court on Friday. It was origin-
ally heard at Cardiff Assizes, occupying five days in
November; then went to the Court of Appeal; and there is
said to be probability of its going to the House of Lords.
It is a case wherein a butcher alleges injury to his business
occasioned by dust from the colliery; and the application
to the Chancery Court last week had relation solely to the
question of costs.

At Merthyr County Court, his Honour Judge Bryn
Roberts had a peculiar case wherein decision had to be given
as to the cause of death of a miner. The man had his back
injured by a fall of roof nine years ago, and for* two years
was paid compensation. Since 1907 he had worked as a
ripper, but then strained his back, and had not worked since
November of last year. Death was due to fatty degeneration
of the heart; and the medical evidence was that the second
accident was partly due to the first, because but for the
weakening of his back the man would not have strained him-
self. After the second accident the man put on weight, and

his heart became weak. The judge held that the case was
one of fatty degeneration, and gave judgment for the colliery
company without calling for their defence.

Northumberland and Durham.

Martial Names for Pit Ponies.

The inevitable has happened. Just as fond parents
penalise their newly-born infants in war times, incidentally
definitely fixing the dates of the children’s birth for all
time, so the pit lads are in the habit of naming their ponies
after the men of the moment. We hear of animals which have
been named Joffre, French, Jellicoe, and so forth, and even
of one particularly vicious brute which has been burdened
with the name of The Kaiser. We have no doubt that
Nietsche would-be added to the list were it not for the diffi-
culties in the way of pronouncing his name.

Cleveland.

Coke Oven Gas as an Illuminant.

An important development with regard to municipal light-
ing at Middlesbrough was inaugurated last week, when, for
the first time in the district, use was made of coke oven gas.
A supply of the gas from Messrs. Samuelson’s works was
formally turned on. About 1,000,000 cu. ft. of gas will be
received into the Middlesbrough gasholders every day, and
the Corporation will be saved the expense of attending the
carbonisation of about 40,000 or 50,000 tons of coal in a
year.

Cumberland.

Important Home Office Prosecution at Working ton.

At a special meeting of the Workington Town Council
last Friday evening, Aiderman P. Walls was provisionally
selected as Mayor of Workington for the ensuing year.
Aiderman Walls has been a member of the Town Council
for 22 years, and of the Cumberland County Council for 17
years. As the well-known and respected agent for the
Blastfurnacemen’s Association, he has rendered splendid
service to the cause of industrial peace throughout West
Cumberland, whilst at the same time fearlessly fighting the
battles for the men, and leading them to take up a correct
attitude on all questions affecting the trade. Mr. Walls,
soon after coming to Workington from Middlesbrough, and
occupying the position as agent to the Blastfurnacemen’s
Association, was able to institute the sliding scale of wages,
and it is owing to his efforts in other directions that indus-
trial peace has proved on the whole enduring. It was he
who secured the eight hours shift for the Cumberland and
North Lancashire blastfurnacemen 20 years ago. Previ-
ously strikes among the blastfurnacemen at Workington
were frequent, and the throwing down of tools caused heavy
losses to the employers, to the men themselves, and, in fact,
to the community at large. The elevation, therefore, of
Mr. Walls to the Mayoralty of Workington will be a fitting
recognition to his arduous years of toil in the best interests
of the town.

The explosion at Clifton Colliery, near Workington, on
August 3, which caused the deaths of three men and the
injury of another, was recalled by a series of summonses
under the Coal Mines Act, 1911, taken out against the
mine manager, under-manager, and managing director of
the Allerdale Coal Company, by Mr. John R. R. Wilson, one
of H.M. inspectors of mines, at Workington Police Court
last Wednesday. Mr. George McDonald, the manager of
the colliery, and Mr. Robert McFarlane, under-manager,
both of Clifton, were charged, firstly with failing to cause
within two hours before commencement of work to have the
mine examined as to the presence of gas, ventilation, roof
and sides and general safety on August 3; secondly, with
failing to make a full and accurate report, specifying whether
or not noxious or inflammable gas was found, or defects in
the roof or sides. Mr. George McDonald was also sum-
moned, along with Mr. Lancelot Holstock Fletcher, of
Brigham, the managing director of the company, for causing
the Lickbank seam earth conductors to carry cables carrying
electricity to have a cross sectional area of less than
0’022 sq. in. on August 10; and further with causing cables
carrying medium pressure alternating electro current to be
unprotected on August 10. Mr. St. George Curwen said he
was instructed to prosecute on behalf of the Treasury, and
Mr. G. A. Lightfoot, of Carlisle, was instructed to defend,
but could not appear that day. They had therefore agreed
for an adjournment until the 28th inst., subject to the magis-
trates’ approval. The Bench granted the adjournment.

Yorkshire.

Recruiting Slack at Doncaster—Generosity of Owners and
Men—Linking Up the Collieries — Edlington's Water
Supply.

The Doncaster coalfield is playing its part nobly in regard
to the European wrar. Both in reference to the number of
recruits s^nt to the Army, the manner in which their wives
and dependants are being supported, the extent to which
the relief funds are assisted, and the hospitality that is
being extended to the unfortunate refugees, it is felt that the
South Yorkshire colliery district is setting a noble example.
There is just now a great outcry about the recruiting slump
in Doncaster, only 1,500 men having been sent up since war
broke out. Of these the bulk were miners, and it is freely
admitted that but for the miners, the local recruiting figures
would have been an absolute disgrace to the district.

The Hickleton Main men have set a noble example, and it
may be taken as typical of what many other local collieries
are doing. It discloses a truly patriotic spirit. They had
been paying 10s. per week for a wife and 2s. per week for a
child of dependants who had enlisted up to October 9, but
seeing that the new Army allowance has now been increased,
the men have decided to pay the following amounts, which
will ensure families of miners being kept in comfort :—Wife
and one child, Army allowance 15s., local fund adds 6s., total
£1 Is.; wife and two children, 17s. 6d., local fund 7s., total
£1 4s. 6d.; wife and three children, £1, local fund 8s.,
total £1 8s.; wife and four children, £1 2s., local fund 9s.,
total, £1 Ils.; wife and five children, £1 4s., local fund
10s., total £1 14s.; wife and six children, £1 6s., local fund
Ils., total £1 17s. Widows who are solely dependent are
to receive 10s. per week ; father and mother dependent on
only son, 14s. and 7s. each; widows partially dependent,
5s. per week.