176 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. January 28, 1916. now introduced into the House of Commons an important measure which may be regarded as a forerunner of others having a similar design. It is true that this new Bill, dealing with the position of enemy firms in this country, does not go very far as regards providing a permanent remedy for the evils ' it is intended to remove. It merely gives power to the Board of Trade during the war to deal drastically with businesses belonging to enemy firms in this country ; but it is permissive rather than compulsory, and its effect will depend . entirely upon the energy of the Board of Trade in its administration. What we want is something much more far-reaching than this; and if Mr. Runciman is true to the promises made in the House in the debate of January 10, we shall look forward to an early expression of the Government’s intentions in this respect; for since the Government have freely admitted that a clear-cut commercial policy, designed to be directly detri- mental to German interests, would be an important factor in assisting us to win the war, it would clearly be a criminal act to neglect taking these measures forthwith. At the same time serious difficulties may be foreseen ; for Mr. Runciman expressed himself as opposed to any plan which would threaten the German people with a period of prolonged poverty. Frankly, this attitude just now is altogether out of tune with the feeling of this country. When the German people have learnt to express their abhorrence of the savage inhumanity of Prussian military methods, when they have changed their beflagged “ Lusitania ” days into days of sackcloth and ashes, it will be quite time enough to express sympathy with their prospective poverty. As to the lines upon which .the Government will be expected to act, Mr. Runciman has pledged himself to deal especially with the evils arising from the past neglect of the Government to support home industries. He has declared that the monopoly which Germany held in regard to optical glass, chemicals, electrical apparatus, and other commodities must never go back to her. The control of various metal industries, which has been allowed to pass to Frankfurt, must be re-established in this country. Our shipping industry must be directly fostered, and no more must the German mercantile marine have free entry into our ports upon an equal footing with British vessels. The exact methods by which these objects are to be secured should be plainly set forth at once, if they are to have an influence in bringing the war to a close. It will not be enough to leave it at a mere threat. When peace terms come to be seriously, put forward, the new situation, for which Mr. Runciman has undoubtedly made himself respon- sible, must be un fait accompli. Evidently, therefore, there is no time to lose, and we hope that the chambers of commerce and other trade associa- tions will insist upon the urgency of the question. The country is ripe for any anti-German legislation that can be devised, not necessarily from vindictive feelings, but on account of a fixed determination to bring home to the German nation the knowledge that they have forfeited their position among the civilised communities of the world. Sir A. Mond would perhaps lay too much stress upon the possibility that this anti-German feeling will in itself be sufficient in future to destroy Germany’s influence in the Allied markets ; and he would, therefore, refrain from direct legislative action, This, however, would be to forego the whole value of the existing economic position as a weapon of war. In the meantime, the question of enemy firms in our midst is to be dealt with in the Government Bill now before the House. It is a matter which deeply concerns the coal industry. Such firms as the Frachtkontor Gesellschaft, Hugo Stinnes Limited, and the Thyssen Company have already obtained a certain footing in the British coal trade, while the Harworth development, and some Kentish coal concessions, are practically in enemy hands, so far as the financial control is concerned. Mr. Runciman has drawn attention to the intolerable position arising from such control in times like the present. But the matter does not end here. Enemy firms, or at least firms run by German capital, are numerous in the manufacturing industries of the country, and it is to cases of this kind that the attention of the Board of Trade will be directed under the powers to be conferred by the Bill. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday. January 27. Scotland.—Western District. GOAL. The coal market in the west of Scotland continues very firm, and values are on a high level with a tendency to rise still further. All qualities of coal are in large request, and the demand is considerably in excess of the supply. Collieries are heavily contracted and any free coal is quickly disposed at full quoted rates. Ells, splints, and navigation are all well placed, the latter being quoted 24s. 6d. to 25s. per ton, while the smaller sizes of nuts are very difficult to obtain for anything like prompt delivery. Shipments for the week amounted to 104,921 tons, compared with 84,532 in the preceding week, and 121,290 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Steam coal prices. 18/6-21/ prices. 18/6-21/6 prices. 12/6-14/6 Ell 21/6-21/9 21/6-22/ 14/9 Splint 25/ -32/ 24/ -32/ 14/9-18/ Treble nuts 1 21/ -21/6 20/6-21/6 14/3-14/6 Double do ; 20/6-20/9 19/6-20/6 13/3-13/6 Single do 19/ -19/6 18/9-19/3 12/3-12/9 IRON. No change is reported in the Scotch iron trade. All departments are in a strong position, and values are very firm all round. Producers of haematite pig iron are easily disposing of their output, and there is an improvement in the demand for ordinary brands, particularly on export account. Prices continue high, but makers do not appear to be anxious to press sales even at current rates. There are 71 furnaces in blast in Scotland, three more than in the preceding week, and two fewer than at this time last year. The prices of Scotch makers’ iron have again been advanced; and are quoted as followGovan and Monkland f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1, 100s., Nos. 3, 99s.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 104s., No. 3, 100s. ; Clyde, Summerlee, Calder, and Langloan, Nos. 1, 106s., Nos. 3, 101s.; Gartsherrie, No. 1, 107s., No. 3, 101s.; Glengarnock at Ardrossan, No. 1,106s., No. 3,101s.; Eglinton at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 101s., No. 3, 99s.; Dalmelling- ton at Ayr, No. 1, 105s., No. 3, 103s.; Shotts at Leith, No. 1, 106s., No. 3, 101s. per ton. The Glasgow pig iron warrant market was only moderately active during the past week, the total turnover not exceeding 15,000 tons. The tone, however, has been firm throughout, and Cleveland iron closing at 80s. 8d. per ton cash buyers showed a gain of 2s. 4d. per ton on the week. The finished iron trade is as active as ever. Black sheet makers are quite unable to keep up with the demand, and deliveries are largely in arrears. The price for 7 to 11 b.g. is now <£17 10s. per ton, less 2| per cent, delivered Glasgow warehouse. Malleable iron makers are also extremely busy, both in their iron and in their steel departments. “ Crown ” iron bars are quoted <£13 to <£13 10s., less 5 per cent, for home delivery, and <£12 10s. net f.o.b. Glasgow. Scotland.- Eastern District. COAL. Collieries in the Lothians are heavily committed, and have very little free coal in any quality. Values remain very firm. Shipments amounted to 31,768 tons, against 18,792 in the preceding week, and 36,643 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Best screened steam coal... Secondary qualities..... Treble nuts ............ Double do............... Single do............... Current prices. 21/6-22/6 20/9-21/ 22/ -23/ 20/6-21/ 19/. -19/6 L’st week’s prices. 22/ -22/6 21/ -21/6 22/6—23/ 20/ -21/ 12/3-12/6 18/6-19/ 11/9-12/ Last year’s prices. 12/ -13/9 12/ -12/6 13/3-13/6 Business in the Fifeshire district is very brisk at present, and with a plentiful supply of tonnage collieries should be assured of steady work for some time. All qualities of coal are sharing in the present activity, and values are firm throughout. Clearances amounted to 47,650 tons, against 59,758 in the preceding week, and 42,875 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current L’st week’s Lastyear’s Best screened navigation prices. prices prices. coal 26/ -27/ 24/6-25/ 16/ -16/6 Unscreened do 24/ -25/ 22/ -23/ 14/6 First-class steam coal...... 23/ -23/6 22/6-23/ 12/6-13/ Third-class do 15/9-16/6 16/6-17/ 10/3-10/9 Treble nuts 22/ -23/ 22/ -22/6 13/6-14/ Double do 20/ -21/ 19/6-20/6 12/3-13/ Single do 18/9-19/6 18/6-19/ 10/3-11/6 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 184,339 tons, compared with 163,082 tons in the preceding week and 200,808 tons in the corre- sponding week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-upon-Tyne. COAL. During last week 106,755 tons of coal and 2,395 tons of coke were despatched from Tyne Dock, an increase of 46,770 tons of coal and 1,583 tons of coke when compared with the shipments for the corresponding week of last year. The Dunston clearances amounted to 40,767 tons of coal and 4,873 tons of coke, a decrease of 19,761 tons of coal and an -increase of 3,122 tons of coke. The Blyth shipments totalled 55,374 tons of coal and coke, a decrease of 7,201 tons. Thus, the total shipments from the three places mentioned amounted to 210,164 tons of coal and coke, an increase of 24,513 tons when compared with the clearances for the corresponding week a year ago. When compared with the figures for the previous week, the shipments show an increase of 18,372 tons. Business on the market has been carried on under very unfavourable conditions during the week under review, and, so far as the prompt section is concerned, the coal trade has had an exceedingly “ rough passage,” and has certainly not come through the ordeal unscathed. Already fairly well stagnant in consequence of shortage of supplies, high freights and tonnage congestion, the prompt market suffered very considerably by the imposition of the restrictions on the exportation of coal “ suitable for coking purposes.” For the greater part of the week doubt and confusion have prevailed in the minds of merchants as to what varieties of coal could be shipped and what sorts could not. The term “ suitable for coking purposes” is very elastic, and, if consignees so desired, almost the whole of the Durham coal and a large proportion of the Northumbrian output could be converted into coke. As we mentioned last week, however, the matter was taken up by the Advisory Committee of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce, and the position is now much clearer. The efforts of the committee have resulted in the restriction being held over for the present, but, for the guidance of the authorities if and when the regulation is renewed, a list of the various kinds of north-country coal, together with a statement as to their suitability for coking purposes, has been forwarded to the Coal Export Control Committee. This is not by any means the first occasion on which the prompt and energetic action of the Newcastle Chamber with regard to licence difficulties has been attended by immediately successful results. As a consequence of the restrictions, prices for some sorts of fuel are slightly lower on the week but the general tone is firmer. The following variations in f.o.b. quotations for prompt shipment have occurred during the week :—Second steams, Blyths, firmer ; Tynes, 2s. advanced ; smalls, Blyths, 6d. up; Tynes, 6d. to Is. dearer; gas specials, Is. reduced; unscreened bunkers, Northumbrians, 6d. to Is. down; coke, foundry, stronger; and blastfurnace coke, Is. 6d. to 2s. advanced. Other descriptions of fuel are steady. In the forward market, there is an excellent enquiry for all classes of coal and coke, and prices are stiffening. The Russian Marine is stated to have purchased about 125,000 tons of best Northumberland steams, for shipment to Archangel during the early summer months, at prices which are not divulged. It is understood, however, that our Allies have covered their requirements at preferential prices. Last year, the greater part of this contract went to South Wales. The South Metropolitan Gas Company is said to have contracted for over 1,000,000 tons of Durham coal, delivery over 12 months, at prices determined by the Price of Coal (Limitation) Act—viz., from 15s. 6d. to 16s. per ton, f.o.b., for ordinary sorts, and from 16s. 6d. to 17s. for bests. Further purchases are said to be under negotiation, and it is believed that, whilst contracts are being fixed up at the prices named, the collieries will receive the benefit of any enlargement of the limitation figure. In view of the Russian Marine contract and the heavy requisitions still being made by the Admiralty, a great shortage of steam coals is anticipated for the next few months, and sellers are holding out for high prices. A quantity of best Blyth steams for April loading has been disposed of at 26s. per ton, f.o.b., and a quantity of similar quality smalls has realised 14s. per ton. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Steam coals :— Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) Secondary, Blyths Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ... Unscreened Small, Blyths Do. Tynes Do. specials Other sorts:— Smithies Best gas coals (New Pelton or Holmside) Secondary gas coals (Pelaw Main or similar) Special gas c?als Unscreened bunkers, Durhams Do. do. Northumbrians Coking coals Do. smalls House coals Coke, foundry Do. blast-furnace Do. gas Current prices. 25/ -27/6 25/ -k7/6 23/ 23/ -24/ 20/ -22/ 14/ -15/ 12/6-13/ 15/ -16/ 21/ -22/ 23/ 21/ 24/ 21/ -23/ 20/ -22/ 22/ 21/ 23/ -25/ 40/ -42/6 37/6-40/ 27/ -28/ L’stweek’s prices. 25/ -27/6 25/ -27/6 21/ -23/ 21/ -22/ 20/ -22/ 13/6-14/6 11/6-12/6 15/ -16/ 21/ -22/ 23/ 21/ 25/ 21/ -23/ 21/ -22/6 22/ 21/ 23/ -25/ 37/6-42/6 36/ -38/ 27/ -28/ Last year’s prices. 13/6-14/ 13/6 12/ -12/3 12/ -12/6 11/ -11/6 9/ 8/ - 8/6 10/ -10/3 11/ -11/6 12/3-12/6 11/ -11/6 13/ 10/9-12/ 10/6-11/ 10/9-11/3 10/6 14/ -15/ 18/6-19/6 18/ 11/6-12/6 Sunderland. COAL. The exports from Sunderland last week amounted to 67,105 tons of coal and 1,135 tons of coke, as compared with 37,525 tons of coal and 200 tons of coke for the corre- sponding period of 1915, being an increase of 29,580 tons of coal and 935 tons of coke. The coal market was upset last week owing to the new conditions with regard to the issue of licences for coals of a coking nature ; this class of coal is now being shipped as usual, and the market has recovered from the restrictions then imposed. All classes of fuel are, however, very scarce, and there is practically nothing on hand to sell for this month, while current prices are quoted firmly for February, for which month trade is being booked