October 30, 1914. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 929 Cardiff. ■ ;V;’’ ' ; l./‘< COAL. The large number of men who have enlisted is making a great difference in the output of coal in this district, and the demands of the Government for best Admiralty descriptions are such that there is practically no margin for the supply of outside customers. It is estimated that in Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire no fewer than 20,000 miners have joined the Colours, and the consequent loss of output is computed at anything between 300,000 and 400,000 tons per week. So insistent has been the demand by the Admiralty during the last few days that in several cases stems have had to be cancelled for contracts which had been taken with the understanding that per- mission would be given to ship. For best descriptions there is really no market, although the quotation nominally remains at 21s. to 22s. Superior seconds are 20s., and ordinary qualities, for which' there is a better enquiry, about 18s. 6d. Shipments last week were not so satisfactory and the figures show a great falling off compared with the corresponding week of last year. The total exports from the four principal Bristol Channel ports amounted to 338,000 tons, against 607,000 tons last year, or a decrease of practically 270,000 tons. Cardiff shipped 206,000 tons, or a falling off of 167,000 tons, and there was a decrease of 50,000 tons at Newport, of 16,000 tons at Swansea, whilst the Port Talbot shipments were only 6,320 tons all told. Chartering, too, has been anything but brisk, the amount of tonnage taken up being only 165,530 tons, against 214,280 tons in the preceding six days, or a decrease of 48,750 tons. As an indication of the falling-off of trade since the commencement of the war, it may be interesting to note that the charterings to date this year only amount to 13,000,000 tons, compared with 15,500,000 tons in the corresponding period of last year, or a decrease of 2| million tons. Monmouthshire coals have been steadier, but there is still an accumulation of stocks to work off, and the supply has been rather in excess of the demand. Best Black Veins are 17s. 6d., western valleys 16s. 9d., and the best of the easterns 16s. 3d., in each case f.o.b. Cardiff. There has been an increased enquiry for washed coal, and nuts have gone up Is. 6d. per ton since last week, best qualities being 17s. 6d. and seconds 16s. per ton. There has not been any news up to the present of the Egyptian State Railways contract, but the result is anticipated any day. The small coal market has again been irregular, and prices once more are on the easy side. Best bunkers are 7s. 9d. to 8s., ordinaries 7s. 6d. to 7s. 9d., and cargo sorts 5s. 6d. to 6s. 3d. There is a small enquiry in the market for the Algerian State Railways, in addition to the 102,000 tons of patent fuel, for which tenders are to be sent in by Monday next. In bituminous coals there continues to be a steady demand, and prices are practically unaltered, No. 3 Rhondda large being 17s. 6d., and No. 2, 13s. 6d. to 13s. 9d., with other grades in proportion. The official returns compiled by the statistical office of the London Custom House show that the coastwise shipments of coal from the South Wales ports during the month of September amounted to 144,232 tons, compared with 249,209 tons in the corresponding month of last year. Cardiff exported 75,911 tons, of which 24,110 tons went to Birkenhead, 13,957 tons to London, and 16,489 tons to Bristol. Liverpool and South- ampton, which are usually at the top of the list, were practically unrepresented. Newport shipped 55,867 tons, of which Dublin took 11,515 tons, Cork 5,120 tons, and Waterford 5,445 tons. Llanelly despatched 8,193 tons, Port Talbot 8,000 tons, Briton Ferry 8,667 tons, and Swansea 21,314 tons, of which 9,770 tons went to London. The official Custom House returns for the month of September provide instructive reading. Coal shipments from Bristol Channel ports last month only amounted to 1,388,798 tons, compared with 2,510,338 tons in the corresponding month of last year, or a decrease of 1,121,540 tons. Decreases are shown in almost every instance, as the following figures will prove:— September September 1914. 1913. Tons. Tons. Prices f.o.b. Cardiff (except where otherwise stated). Steam coals:— Best Admiralty steam coals Current prices. 21/ -22/ 20/ 18/6 7/9- 8/ 7/6- 7/9 5/6- 6/3 4/6-5/ 21/6-22/ 19/6-20/6 17/6 16/ 15 14/ 9/ 17/6 16/9 16/3 15/ -15/3 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6 14/6 11/6 13/6-13/9 10/6-11/ 7/6 17/ -18/ 15/6-16/6 27/ -30/ 22/ -26/ 18/ -19/ 19/ —19/6 L’st week’s prices. 21/ -22/ 20/ 18/ -18/6 8/ - 8/3 7/9 6/ - 6/6 5/ 21/ -21/6 19/ -20/ 16/ 15 15/ 14/ 9/ 17/3 16/9 16/3 15/ -15/3 20/ 17/6-19/6 17/6 14/ 11/ 13/6-13/9 10/6 7/ - 7/6 16/6-18/ 15/ -16/ 27/ -30/ 22/ -26/ 18/ -19/ 19/9-20/ Last year’s prices. 20/ -20/3 19/3-19/6 17/9-18/ 10/6-10/9 10/ -10/3 7/3- 7/6 6/6- 7/ 18/3-18/9 15/9-16/3 16/ 15/ 14/ -14/6 13/ -13/3 11/9—12/ 16/9-17/3 15/9-16/3 15/6 14/9 20/6 17/6-18/ 17/ 14/6-15/ 12/ -12/6 12/6-13/ 10 9-11/ 8/ - 8/6 22/6 20/ -21/6 28/ 23/ -26/ 20/ -21/ 21/6 Superior seconds Ordinary do Best bunker smalls Best ordinaries Cargo qualities Inferior smalls Best dry coals Ordinary drys Best washed nuts Seconds Best washed peas • Seconds Dock screenings Monmouthshire— Black Veins Western-valleys Eastern-valleys Inferior do Bituminous coals :— Best house coals (at pit) Second qualities (at pit) No. 3 Rhondda— Bituminous large Through-and-through Small No. 2 Rhondda— Large Through-and-through Small Best patent fuel Seconds Special foundry coke Ordinary do. Furnace coke Pitwood (ex-ship) sheet trade was still in a poor state. The steel-producing establishments were kept well employed. The aggregate output of pig iron exceeded that of the preceding week. The shipments of tin-plates last week were 68,305 boxes, receipts from works 58,276 boxes, whilst stocks remaining in the dock warehouses and vans were 234,377 boxes. Llanelly. COAL. The condition of the coal market of this district is better than anyone anticipated it would be considering the serious, conflict now proceeding. For some qualities especially' there is an excellent demand, and prices are most satis- factory. Shipments have improved beyond expectation, and the big stocks which had accumulated have disappeared, so far as large is concerned. There has been a very active enquiry from the Continent, and the trade with France more especially, has shown a welcome revival. There is also a strong enquiry for cobbles and nuts, and prices fob both these, it is expected, will advance at the beginning of the month. The inland trade is very quiet, and beans in consequence are not a strong market. The Red Vein qualities are also in poor demand owing to the mildness of the weather, whilst culm and duff are almost unsaleable’. Large steams are in excellent request, and prices are advancing almost daily.’ Collieries cannot accept all the orders passed them. Through and smalls are much tjiez same as last. Prices this week are:— Prices f.o.b. Russia — 106,801 Sweden . 22,192 ... 18,922 Norway . 5,656 ... 3,661 Denmark . 6,039 ... 5,932 Germany . — 32,110 Netherlands . 7.202 ... 7,408 Belgium . 5,387 ... 32,116 France . 353,205 ... 620,411 Algeria . 22,925 ... 43,581 French Somaliland . 3,323 ... 10,411 Madagascar . 5,002 ... 4,923 Portugal . 42,713 ... 62,523 Azores . 5,404 ... — Madeira . 7,670 ... 6,754 Spain . 104,187 ... 118,184 Canary Islands . 8,751 ... 47,938 Italy . 390,594 ... 470,390 Austria-Hungary . — 11,867 Greece . 15,634 ... 56,936 Roumania — 30,103 Turkey (European) . — 16,363 „ (Asiatic) . — 23,648 Egypt . 85,457 ... 173,158 Tunis . 12,011 ... 13,279 China 6,888 Cuba — 6,668 Chili . 7,298 ... 14,900 Uruguay , 6,528 ... 54,386 Brazil . 50,607 ... 127,306 Argentine Republic , 107,556 ... 234,349 Channel Islands 7,061 ... 4,476 Gibraltar . 7,993 ... 11,164 Malta and Gozo 8,953 ... 23,087 Aden and Dependencies 16,939 ... 22,930 British India 5,904 ... 6,116 Ceylon and Dependencies... 11,492 ... 25,601 West Africa (British) . 11,151 ... 9,443 „ (French) 3,547 ... 10,776 „ (Portuguese)... . 29,354 ... 18,624 IRON. As indicated last week there is a better tone in the tin- plate trade, and prices generally are inclined to be a little firmer. Bessemer standard cokes are 12s. 6d. to 12s. 9d., with oil sizes at 13s. 3d. and 18s. 6d. respectively. There has been an enquiry in the market for a large quantity of oil sheets for the American canning industry, but it is believed that the business will go to the States. Shipments last week showed a considerable improvement, amounting to 68,305 boxes. Receipts from works were only 58,276 boxes, leaving stocks in the docks warehouses and vans at 234,377 boxes. In the galvanised sheet trade there has been no improvement, and orders are badly needed. Quotations for 24-gauge corrugateds are on the basis of <£13 10s., but it is believed that considerable concessions would be made for prompt specifications. There has been a heavy decline in Welsh steel bars, and Siemens qualities are now quoted at <£4 15s. to <£5 per ton, with Bessemer at <£4 15s. per ton. Welsh pig iron is also inclined to be easier at 69s. to 70s. per ton, f.o.t. In the heavy steel trade, good news has been received at Dowlais, Messrs. Guest, Keen and Nettlefold having secured an order, after keen competition with American and Canadian mills, for 20,000 tons of rails for South Africa. In scrap metals, business is again on the quiet side, and steel scrap is 2s. 6d. cheaper than it was a week ago. Swansea. COAL. The trade of the port last week was, on the whole, satisfactory, and showed an increase over the preceding week. The coal trade was brisker, and an increase in the export of patent fuel was shown; the shipments of coal and patent fuel amounted to 88,780 tons. A capital attendance assembled on ’Change, and the anthracite coal market continued to exhibit a firm tone. Swansea Valley large was very strong, with values moving in an upward direction, whilst the improvement noted in Red Vein large was well maintained. Machine-made nuts and cobbles continued strong. Rubbly culm and duff were without any movement, and there was practically no demand. There was no alteration to report in the steam coal market, large was firm, but small was very weak. Anthracite:— Best malting large .. Secondary do. Big Vein large....... Red Vein do.......... Machine-made cobbles... German nuts.......... French do........... Paris do............. Machine-made beans ... Do. peas......... Culm ................ Duff ................ Other sorts:— Large steam coal..... Through-and-through... Small ............... Bituminous small coal... Current L’st week’s prices. 21/ -23/ 19/ -21/ 19/ -21/ 13/6-14/ 20/ -22/ 22/ -23/■ 22/ -24/ 22/ -24/ 20/6-22/6 13/6-14/6 5/ - 5/6 3/9- 5/6 16/ -18/ 10/9-11/ 8/6- 9/6 11/ -11/6 prices. 21/ -23/ 19/ -21/ 17/ -19/ 13/6-14/ 20/ -22/ 22/ -23/. 22/ -24/ 22/ -24/ 20/6-22/6 13/6-14/6 5/ - 5/6 3/9- 5/6 16/ -18/ 10/ -10/6 8/6- 9/6 11/ -11/6 Last year's prices. 21/ -22/6 19/ -20/ 18/ -19/ 14/ -15/i 19/6-20/6 23/ -24/6- . 23/ -25/< > 23/ -25/ 18/ -20/ > 12/6-13/6 5/3- 6/ 4/3- 6/ There is a better outlook in patent fuel and works are more fully occupied than for several weeks past. Complete returns of shipments are not available, but the Crown Com- pany despatched 10,846 tons. The coke market is fairly steady, and there are no material alterations in quotations. Pitwood is easier at 19s. to 19s. 6d. per ton. Prices f.o.b. (cash in 30 days). Anthracite:— Best malting large (hand picked) (het)... Secondary do. Big Vein large (less 2| per cent.) Red Vein large do. ... Machine-made cobbles (net) Paris nuts (net) French do. do German do. do Beans (net) Machine - made large peas (net) Do. fine peas (net) Rubbly culm (less 2| p.c.) Duff (net) Steam coals:— Best large (less 2| p.c.) Seconds do. Bunkers do. Small do. Bituminous coals:— No. 3 Rhondda— Large (less 2| p.c.) ... Through-and-through (less 2| p.c.) Small (less 2| p.c.) ... Patent fuel do Current prices. 22/6-24/6 20/6-22/6 19/6-22/6 13/6-15/6 20/ -23/ 22/ -24/ 22/ -23/6 18/6—19/6 12/ -13/ 3/9- 4/6 2/9- 3/6 18/9-22/6 15/9-16/6 10/3-11/ 5/6- 8/6 17/6-18/6 10/ -10/9 16/ —16/6 L’stweek’s prices. 21/6-24/6 19/6-20/6 18/6-20/6 12/6-14/6 20/ -23/ 21/6-24/6 22/ -23/6 18/6—19/6 12/ -13/ 4/ - 4/6 3/ - 3/6 18/9-21/6 14/9-15/6 10/3-11/ 5/6- 8/6 17/6-18/6 10/ -10/9 16/ -16/6 Last year’s prices. 21/6-24/ 19/6-20/6 17/6-18/6 14/6-16/ 21/6-23/ 23/6-25/6 23/6-25/6 23/6-25/6 16/6-18/fr 12/6-13/6 5/9- 6/3 4/ - 5/3 19/ -20/ 14/ -15/ 10/6-11/6 7/ - 7/6 17/ -18/ 13/6-14/6 10/ -11/ 18/ -19/ IRON. The tin-plate trade showed some slight improvement during the past week. There was a better yield from the works in the Morriston district. Several mills were working full time, and an extra four mills were put into operation. Bar-rolling mills were doing better, but the galvanised LABOUR AND WAGES. South Wales and Monmouthshire. The fusion of the Engineers’ and Stokers’. Association with the Miners’ Federation .appears., to be indefinitely post- poned, for the Registrar of Friendly Societies, to whom application had been made for cancellation of the certificate of registration, is not willing to do what is requested. It will be remembered that this matter has been in progress , for a very long time, two or three ballots, of. the men being taken, with the result that the requisite majority under the rules cannot be obtained. The executive, therefore, sought, to have the registration cancelled, and thus obviate the hindrance, but the Registrar will not, consent unless three- fourths of the members are in favour. As that official sug- gested that, having regard -to the present crisis in inter- national affairs, the whole Of the matter should be allowed to stand over for the time being, the quarterly meeting on Saturday, which was held in Cardiff, empowered the execu- tive to negotiate further with the Miners’ Federation upon a scheme of affiliation. The meeting passed a‘ resolution advocating a pension of £1 per week to the widow of every soldier or sailor, with a similar amount to mother or father dependant; an allowance of £1 per week for wife or depen- . dant of every soldier or sailor while serving with the Colours, , and an equal amount for every man permanently maimed in fighting. The Newport coal trimmers who had given notice to ter- minate the agreement so far as regards certain items in the trimming tariff were on Tuesday addressed by Mr. J. H. Vickery, general manager of the Alexandra Docks; and that’ gentleman appealed to a mass meeting of the men, pointing out the critical time through which trade is passing, and urging that all industrial disputes should be avoided at the * present. • ;- The East Glamorgan miners, at their monthly meeting on • Monday in Caerphilly, dealt with the question arising out- of the unloading of rubbish at Penallta Colliery, and it was stated that there was prospect of an arrangement being: arrived at before the next meeting. As to the dispute con- cerning the working of conveyors at Bedwas, an agreement,, it was reported, had nearly been reached, there being only one outstanding point. At the same colliery 18 men had stopped because of a “ show cards ” dispute, blit it was hoped that a satisfactory settlement would be reached oh the question. - ‘ It was stated on Monday in the meeting of the Western Valleys Miners' Council that the price list for men engaged at the Cwmtillery Cokery had been finally settled, and also that a price list had been agreed upon in regard to the new< coal seam at Cwmtillery. • The Rhondda district of miners had before them on Mon- day a report as to the action of the Peace Committee • appointed by the Conciliation Board; and it was stated that, in respect of a large number of disputes, agreement had been arrived at, and that the decisions had been adopted except in one or two cases. With regard to the banksmen’s question, it was reported that settlement had been effected at nearly all the collieries in the coalfield. The terms agreed upon were not compulsory, and there were a few cases where the men had not accepted them because redaction of hours would have meant reduced wages. Federated Area. Efforts are being made to arrange for the Mold Collieries Limited to withdraw their 14 days’ notice to all the employees of Bromfield Colliery, near Mold, where 700 of-- 800 men have been employed, and where something like. £1,000 per week is paid in wages. A meeting of the wdrk-' men of the colliery has also been held, and it is stated that it was decided to make the following offer to the company : > “ That each man would forego one day's work per month i