1254

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN

December 17, 1915.

LABOUR AND WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

The workmen of the Abertillery district are supporting
the requirement of enginemen and stokers that an advance
of wages should be granted to that class of men; and they
passed a resolution sending a request to the central executive
of the Federation, so that action may be taken.

The executive council of the South Wales Miners’ Federa-
tion have decided to call the attention of the Home Secretary
to the stoppages of collieries and the general irregularity of
work due to the shortage of shipping. The difficulty, it
appears, has arisen mainly in the western district, where,
it is stated, large numbers of men are under notice to terminate
contracts.

In the Amman Valley, at one of the collieries 300 men
stopped work, coming out on strike on the non-unionist ques-
tion, although there was only one man outside the Federation.

The sub-committee representative of both sides which the
South Wales 'Conciliation Board appointed to deal with ques-
tions arising under the new agreement have held a further
meeting. Disputes came under consideration as to the rates
of pay for certain classes of workmen at some of the collieries;
and another question raised was whether men working in
abnormal places claiming the minimum wage should be paid
fortnightly or weekly. As to the other points arrangements
were made for referring the questions to the representatives
for closer investigation.

North of England.

Basing their claim on the prevailing high freights and
the increased cost of living due to the war, north-east coast
coal trimmers have been conceded a further advance of
wages of 7| per cent., making, with the 12| per cent,
increase obtained in March last, a total bonus of 20 per
cent. This last advance is to be regarded as a final bonus,
and will be operative for three months after the conclusion
of hostilities. This change, which came into force on
Saturday, December 11, applying to ships less than half
loaded on that day, which would be completed in the
ensuing week, affects trimmers on the coast from Amble to
Hartlepool.

A mass meeting of employees of the Ashington federated
group of collieries has adopted a resolution empowering
its representatives to put into operation any practical
measures for maintaining the output of coal at the collieries,
in face of the depletion of labour by enlistment. Mr. E.
Edwards, a member of the Northumberland Miners’
Association executive, pleaded with the men to abolish
avoidable idle time. Taking the Ashington colliery by way
of illustration, he stated that, from pays 14 to 24 of this
year, there had been an average absenteeism of 14-48 per
cent. The actual average produce for that period was
30,479-90 tons per pay, for an average of 10-60 days per
pay. What proportion of idle time was really unavoidable
it was difficult to ascertain. If they allowed 7 per cent,
for sickness, accident and other causes, they still had 7-48
per cent, as avoidable lost time. Thus, if 85-52 per cent,
of working time gave 30,474-90 'tons per pay, then 7-48
cent, would give 2,665-40 tons per pay, or 69,290 tons per
year.

Federated Area.

Differences between the colliery enginemen of Leicester-
shire on the question of the proposal to form another union
may possibly involve a stoppage of the pits in the coal
fields of that county and South Derbyshire. Mr. A. Parker,
of Hanley, the Midland agent of the Amalgamated Union of
Enginemen and Firemen, Mechanics, Motormen, and
Electrical Workers, addressed a meeting at Coalville on
Saturday, relative to attempts to form a rival branch of the
Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire union in the district. To
safeguard the interests of the members of his union, he said,
he saw the chairman of the coal owners, and placed the
position before him, making it clear that unless steps were
taken to check the rival movement he (Mr. Parker) would
call meetings of the men throughout Leicestershire and
South Derbyshire to consider handing in notices, stopping
the collieries until the members were back in the old union.
He had also warned the Government Committee in London
of his intention, and had received a letter from Sir George
Askwith, urging that in no circumstance must the pits
be stopped, but suggesting that the question might be
referred to a court consisting of three trade unionists. Sir
George said he would put the same proposal to the agent
of the rival union, and if agreed upon, steps would be
taken to set up the court. Mr. Parker’s executive agreed
to the course, but a definite reply had not been received
from the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire union. Mr.
Parker claimed that of some 800 men in the area, 700 were
members of his union.

Mr. James Martin, Staveley, was on Saturday re-elected
president of the Derbyshire Miners’ Association for the
sixth year. The council discussed at length the reduction
of the war bonus from 15| to 14-8 per cent., and it was
decided to request the coal owners to iagree upon a con-
ference at which the question of payment of full bonus might
be adjusted. It was stated that the owners were paying
the bonus on the new 5 per cent, advance, and, although
the difference is very slight, it was pointed out that any
reduction of war bonus was contrary to the agreement,
which can only be altered when the circumstances (food
prices, etc.) under which the bonus is paid, are changed.
Complaint was also made that the compensation men were
not participating in the 5 per cent, advance, despite the
fact that this principle had been recognised in Lancashire
and other counties. It was accordingly resolved to ask
the coal owners to arrange a meeting at an early date, at
which the subject could be discussed.

Scotland.

Scottish miners are to be asked to curtail their New Year
holidays to a couple of days — Saturday, January 1, and
Monday, January 3. The union executive had the matter
under consideration at a meeting in Glasgow on Tuesday, at
which a letter was submitted from Sir Richard Redmayne,
chairman of the National Coal Organisation Committee,
recommending a reduction in the holidays to the shortest
possible period. The executive agreed to advise the men in
all collieries to resume work on Tuesday, January 4.

Regarding the recent trouble at Earnock in respect to the
working policy, it appears that a little misunderstanding
exists there, and at several other collieries, as to the terms
of the agreement made by the National Union. The agree-
ment is that if any day is lost within any fortnight for
want of wagons or other cause, except a labour dispute, the
men should work on the Saturday to complete the full 11
days’ work for the fortnight.

From Auchinleck district grievances are reported. It is
alleged that men being brought from the coal face to do

oncost work are being only paid the recognised wage for this
work when performed by the regular oncost worker. The
result is that the men receive anything from 2s. to 3s. per
day less than they would have earned at the coal face. This,
and a number of other complaints, have been brought to the
notice of the union officials.

Miners’ Federation of Great Britain.

The executive of the Miners’ Federation, at a meeting last
week, passed a resolution expressing regret that any branch
of the Federation should, in view of the resolution passed at
Wigan, have attended the conference held in London on
Wednesday, December,!, called by Mr. Mosses, secretary of
the Munitions Advisory Committee; and objecting to any
proposals which lay down that members are not to ask for
any further increase in wages, which, in the mining industry,
are in the main regulated by conciliation boards under very
definite rules, which provide that the selling price of coal is
the chief factor.

Mr. Herbert Smith reported that, as the representative of
the Federation on the Parliamentary Committee of the Trades
Congress, he had been invited, with others, to attend a meet-
ing at which Mr. McKenna (Chancellor of the Exchequer)
laid his views before those present on the question of collect-
ing income-tax which might be payable by workmen earning
over £2 10s. a week. He found that a considerable number
of employers were present at the meeting, and a proposal was
discussed having for its object that employers should deduct
from workmen’s earnings income-tax due by them, and remit
it to the Treasury. Mr. Smith objected very strongly to
any proposal of this kind, and pointed out that, in his
opinion, the miners would strongly resent any such action
as this.—The executive endorsed the position taken up by
Mr. Smith.

Mr. Herbert Smith, president, and Mr. S. Roebuck, of the
Yorkshire Miners’ Association, had an interview with Sir
Richard Redmayne, Chief Inspector of Mines, at the Home
Office last week, with reference to the position at fireclay pits
in Yorkshire. There is a shortage of fireclay for the manu-
facture of munitions.

OBITUARY.

Mrs. M. A. Harle, widow of the late Mr. William Harle,
for many years manager of Pagebank Colliery, has died at
•the residence of her son, Mr. Richard Harle, manager of
Browney Colliery, at the age of 85 years. Another of Mrs.
Harle’s sons is manager of Bowburn Colliery. She was
widowed 12 years ago.

After spending 'almost the whole of his life at the
Cramlington group of collieries and the past 6| years as
under-manager at the Lamb pit, Mr. Thomas John Gray,
son of Mr. Septimus Gray, who himself was under-manager
at Hartford pit, died at Cramlington last week. Mr. Gray,
who was born at the colliery village, and started work there,
spent a short time in South Africa, but soon returned, and
was appointed deputy-overman, then back-overman, and
subsequently under-manager.

On the 14th inst., Mr. George Goodwin Walne Willcocks
suddenly passed away at his residence, Sunnyside, Ailsa-
road, St. Margarets-on-Thames. Mr. Willcocks was for
many years a well-known figure on the London Coal
Exchange. He was one of the earliest directors of the Coal
Trade Benevolent Association, and also took a prominent
interest in the Carbon Lodge, of which he was Past Master.

The death is announced of Mr. W. H. James, commercial
manager and secretary of the Lewis Merthyr Collieries. Mr.
James was very popular on Cardiff Exchange, and had been
associated with the Lewis Merthyr undertaking for 33 years,
having joined the company as accountant in 1882. About 20
years ago he was made joint sales manager, and on the retire-
ment of his colleague, Mr. Hooper, in 1901, Mr. James
became commercial manager and secretary. He was held in
high esteem by the late Lord Merthyr, and was well known
in coal trade circles in London and Liverpool. At one time
he was connected with the Hirwain Iron Works, and also
with the Siemens Works at Landore, near Swansea. His
widow, who survives him, is the daughter of Mr. Bea van,
colliery proprietor, of Hirwain.

Grimsby Coal Exports. — During the week ended
December 10, the following consignments of coal have
been exported from Grimsby :—Foreign : To Aarhus, 617
tons; Dieppe, 549; Fredericia, 295; Gefle, 2,010; Gothen-
burg, 1,715; Malmo, 1,587; Stocksund, 2,129; and Treport,
858—total, 9,760 tons foreign; against 9,168 tons foreign
and 680 tons coastwise during the corresponding week last
year.

Safety of Newcastle as a Port.—In the King’s Bench Divi-
sion on Tuesday, Mr. Justice Sankey reserved judgment in
an action by the Palace Steamship Company, owners of the
steamer “ Frankby,” against the Gans Steamship Com-
pany of New York, the charterers of that vessel, plaintiffs
asking for a declaration by the court that Newcastle-on-
Tyne was not in February 1915, “ a safe port ” within the
meaning of clause 3 of a charter party between them and
defendants, dated April 18, 1913. A declaration was also
claimed that the defendant in ordering the “ Frankby ” to
proceed to Newcastle on February 15, 1915, to load a cargo
of coal for Barcelona, had committed a breach of the charter
party, and that plaintiffs were therefore not bound to
comply with the terms of that document, were entitled to
withdraw the vessel, and were under no liability to perform
the charter. Mr. Roche, K.C., for the plaintiffs, said the
charter party was for five years, one of the 'terms being that
the vessel was to be employed “ between a safe port or ports
between 60 N. and 50 8.,” these limits including Newcastle-
on-Tyne. Counsel explained that of course there was no
contention that Newcastle was not at all times a “ safe
port ” in the sense that a ship could possibly get there.
Neither did any question of “restraint of prices” arise
so far as plaintiffs were concerned. Plaintiff’s contention
was that within the meaning of the charter party it would
have been very risky to go to Newcastle. The pleas of the
plaintiffs in asking for the declaration were, generally, that
the vessel was wrongfully directed to proceed from Havre
to Newcastle, which was not a safe port at the time owing
to the great risk of capture or destruction by German
warships. The “ Frankby ” was ordered to go from Havre
to Newcastle on February 19, and that was the date from
which the German blockade became effective. The ship
arrived at Newcastle on February 22, and she sailed again
from Newcastle on March 2. His lordship, in giving judg-
ment for defendants, found that Newcastle was a safe port
within the meaning of the charter party. It was unnecessary
to consider whether plaintiffs had waived their rights.

THE FREIGHT MARKET.

The'volume of business transacted on the outward freight
markets during the past week has been even more dis-
appointing than usually, and the list of fixtures has a
particularly attenuated appearance. Lack of enquiry is
certainly not the cause of small amount of business done,
for there is always a heavy demand for colliers, at both
the North-East Coast and South Wales. At the Tyne,
tonnage has been offering in rather better quantity for
some destinations, but in others boats are as difficult as
ever to secure, 'and advanced prices have had to be con-
ceded. Coastwise, there is practically nothing doing, but
the market is quite steady on the basis of 16s. 6d. to London.
It appears likely, however, that coasting rates will ease in
sympathy with those for North France, which are markedly
weaker on the week. A good number of steamers have been
despatched to Rouen, but rates have fallen fully Is., and
tonnage can now be secured at 25s. Of the other ports of
North France, Caen is 6d. reduced, Dunkirk Is. down, and
Dieppe as much as from 2s. 'to 3s. 6d. lower. The Bay is
correspondingly easier, and the enquiry very small. Follow-
ing on the high rate of 38s. 6d. paid towards the end of last
week for Bordeaux, tonnage has been secured at so com-
paratively low a figure as 33s. 6d., whilst Rochefort at
35s. registers a fall of 4s. on last week’s rate. The
Mediterranean, on the other hand, is stronger than ever, and
rates continue to advance. Genoa has been extensively
booked at from 62s. 6d. to 66s. 6d., the latter figure easily
a record, whilst Barcelona and Marseilles have each paid
50s. The general position of the Tyne market is interesting,
as it is impossible to state which way rates will turn in the
near future. At South Wales, tonnage shortage has been
very keenly felt, and the situation became more aggravated
than ever on Tuesday, when it was reported that the Greek
Government had ordered all steamers of over 1,500 tons
net to proceed to Hampton Roads, U.S.A. All-round
higher rates of freight have had to be paid, the
Mediterranean particularly being affected. A small business
has been done for North France, but last week’s slight
relapse has been fully made up, and Rouen is 6d. 'advanced,
whilst Havre is Is. up, and Caen Is. 6d. higher. Tonnage
for Bay ports is in demand, and Bordeaux has been fixed
for at 1 fr. increase, with St. Nazaire paying advances
of about 3 fr. on last week. Rates for the Mediterranean
have advanced rapidly, and Genoa at 62s. 6d. records an
increase of 5s. 6d. Leghorn is 2s. 6d. dearer, and
Marseilles from 6 to 8 fr. up. Algiers has paid the extra-
ordinary rate of 70 fr. The River Plate is steady.

In the homeward markets, the tonnage shortage is being
more felt than ever. The River Plate has been frequently
done at 115s. to 117s. 6d. from San Lorenzo or Buenos
Ayres to United Kingdom for January-February positions,
and at 120s. for similar loading from Santa Fe. The
licence difficulty is holding business in check at the States,
and rates for heavy grain are about unaltered at 13s. 3d.
to United Kingdom, 16s. 9d. to 17s. to French Atlantic,
and 18s. 6d. to Marseilles or Cette. Barley 'tonnage is
worth 12s. 6d. to United Kingdom. Australia continues to
pay 95s. to United Kingdom for wheat. Burmah is strong
at upwards of 120s., that figure having been paid for
Liverpool. The Indian market is also very firm, and from
95s. to 97s. 6d. is indicated from Bombay to p.p. United
Kingdom, whilst Kurrachee would pay up to 75s. on scale
basis. The Madras coast is paying 130s. for kernels to
Marseilles. There is an enquiry for boats from the
Mediterranean, and 20s. has been paid for a large steamer
to the Tyne from Algiers.

Tyne to Barcelona, 1,100, 50s.; Boucan, 1,500, 35s.; Bor-
deaux, 1,600, 37s. coal, 42s. coke; 2,150, 33s. 6d.; Caen, 800,
25s. fid.; Cherbourg, 800, 25s. 6d.; Dunkirk, 1,800, 25s.;
500, 31s., coke; Dieppe, 600, 22s. 6d.; 2,000, 24s.; Genoa,
2,000, 62s. 6d.; 2,000, 64s.; 900 , 62s. 6d.; 1,900, 62s. 6d.;
2,000, 65s.; 2,800, 64s.; 3,000, 65s.; 2,000, 66s. 6d.;
Gibraltar, 2,000, 34s. 6d.; Havre, 1,300, 24s.; Las Palmas,

2.500,	35s.; London, 2,400, 16s. 6d.; Leghorn, 4,000,
62s. 6d.; Marseilles, 1,700, 50s.; 3,000 , 50s.; Malaga, 2,000,
40s.; Oran, 2,500, 42s. 6d.; Porto Ferrajo, 5,000, 60s.;
Port Mahon, 1,000, 50s.; Palma, 2,000, 45s.; Rouen, 2,000,
26s. fid.; 1,500, 26s.; 1,500, 25s.; 1,600, 25s. 6d.; 800,
26s.; 2,300, 25s.; Rochefort, 2,500, 35s.; Sicily, 1,800,
62s. 6d.; Savona, 900 , 62s. 6d.; 1,900, 62s. 6d.; Valencia,
1,000, 40s.

Cardiff to Algiers, 2,000, 65 fr.; 2,500, 70 fr.; 1,600, 70 fr.;
Bordeaux, 2,000, 44 fr.; 1,450, 42 fr.; 2,000, 44| fr.; 3,000,
45 fr.; 3,500, 45 fr.; 1,400, 45 fr.; Buenos Ayres, 6,000, 39s.;
Chantenay, 1,350, 40fr., 600; 2,000, 39 fr.; Caen, 650,
22s. 6d.; Dunkirk, 20s.; Dakar, 3,000, 35s.; Dieppe, 600,
22s. 6d.; Ferrol, ^1,000, lump sum, coal and coke; Gibraltar,

1.500,	32s. 6d., 500; Genoa, 60s.; 3,500, 62s. 6d.; Havre,
1,300, 21s.; Leghorn, 3,000, 61s. 3d.; 60s.; 3,000 , 62s. 6d.;

3.500,	62s. 6d.; Lisbon, 3,000 , 31s., 500; 2,600. 30s., 500;

3,500,	31s. 6d., 500; Marseilles, 2,800, 75 fr.; 5,000, 75 fr.;
4,000, 76 fr.; 5,800, 73 fr.; Monte Video, 4,500, 37s. 6d.,
mid.-Dec.; 4,500, 38s.; 4,000, 38s.; Nice, 2,200, 75 fr.;
Nantes, 1,350, 40 fr., 600; 2,000, 39 fr.; Naples, 3,000,
62s. 6d.; Port Said, 6,200, 62s. 6d.; 4,000, 60s.; Porto
Ferrajo, 5,000, 60s., 800; River Plate, 5,000 , 39s.; 4,500,
39s.; 3,900 , 39s.; 4,500, 39s., lower ports; Rouen, 900,
22s. 6d.; 1,200, 23s.; St. Malo-St. Servan, 1,600, 18s. 6d.;
St. Nazaire, 1,350, 40 fr., 600; 2,100, 41 fr.; Savona, 3,000,
61s. 3d.; 60s.; 3,000 , 62s. 6d.; 3,500, 62s. 6d.; Spezzia,
3,000, 61s. 3d.; 60s.; 3,000, 62s. 6d.; 3,500, 62s. 6d.;
Treport, 700, 24s., on d.w., coke; Tunis, 3,200 , 80 fr.

Swansea to Dunkirk, 1,000, 24s. 6d.; Rouen, 1,050,
22s. 6d.; 1,500, 22s.; 1,350, 22s. 9d.; Dieppe, 700, 23s.;
Oporto, 900 , 32s. 6d.; Guernsey, 480, 20s.; St. Nazaire,
Chantenay, or Nantes, 1,350, 40 fr., 600; Caen, 650, 22s. 6d.;
Leghorn, 3,200, 61s.; Bordeaux, 3,200, 44 fr.; 1,150, 45 fr.;
Havre, 650, 22s.; St. Brieux, 700, 23s., coal, 23s. 9d. fuel.

Newport to Rouen, 1,600, 22s. 6d.; Gibraltar, 1,600,
32s. 6d., 500; 1,800 , 33s.; Bordeaux, 3,400 , 43|fr., free
brokerage; 1,500, 45 fr.; Nantes, 1,400, 39 fr., 600; 1,350,
40fr., 600; 1,800, 41 fr., 600; Seville, 1.200, 34s.; Marseilles,
4,000, 76 fr.; Naples or Torre Annunziata, 3,200, 57s. 6d.,
800; Chantenay, 1,350, 40 fr., 600; St. Nazaire, 1,350, 40 fr.,
600.

Grimsby to London, 850, 14s.

Immingham to London, 850, 14s.

Port Talbot to Dunkirk, 1,400, 23s. 9d.; Bordeaux, 1,650,
44 fr.; Rouen, 1,600, 22s.; 1,200, 23s., Dec.

Hull to Rouen, 1,800, 26s. 6d.: 500, 35s., coke; Dunkirk,
270, 31s. 9d., coke; Dunkirk, Honfleur, Caen, or Dieppe,
1,100, 24s.

Blyth to Caen, 1,000, 25s.; Rouen, 1,500, 26s.

Methil or Burntisland to Sundswall, 1,600 , 21s. 6d., Dec.

Wear to Havre, 1,200 , 24s. 6d.

Glasgow to St. Nazaire, 3,300 , 40 fr.