February 11, 1916.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

279

Bunfield was instructed to press for a further meeting. It
was agreed that if the owners were not prepared to meet
the men, a ballot vote of the members should be taken on
the question.

Scotland.

A meeting of the executive of the National Union of Scottish
Mine Workers was held on Monday in Glasgow, under the
chairmanship of Mr. Eobert Smillie. Deputations were
appointed to assist local unions to arrange a settlement of
disputes on the non-union question which were reported from
Fifeshire, Ayrshire, and Lanarkshire. It was reported that
the secretary of the Ayrshire Mine Owners’ Association had
approached the men, and asked them to work 12 days per
fortnight. The executive adopted a resolution, stating that
their attention had been called to the matter, and they
instructed their secretary to write to the mine owners in Ayr-
shire, pointing out that there was a national policy of 11
days per fortnight, and that the employers in any district
were not entitled to break through this agreement, unless
by approaching the miners through the secretary of rhe
Scottish Mine Owners. A report was received from Ayrshire
to the effect that at the pits owned by Messrs. Baird’s firm,
which cover nearly the whole of the southern portion of the
county, men shifting from one colliery to another were
refused employment unless they could produce a clearance
line from the colliery they had left. This procedure had
been in force for many years, but had not been very strictly
carried out by the employers. It was now being generally
enforced, however, and the men, feeling uneasy regarding it,
were desirous of coming out on strike to have the grievance
removed. A deputation from the executive was appointed to
assist the Ayrshire miners’ officials to have the matter
adjusted without the necessity for a strike.

Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades.

A scheme for closer unity among the organisations forming
the Engineering and Ship Building Trades’ Federation has
now been -approved by the majority of these societies. The
scheme does not include 'amalgamation, but its object is to
federate the unions so closely that they will act <as one
body in all matters of wages and conditions. Amongst
the societies whose members have already accepted the
scheme by an overwhelming majority -are the Amalgamated
Society of Engineers, the United Patternmakers’ Society,
the Electrical Trades Union, and the Gas Workers’ and
General Labourers’ Society. The final result of the vote
amongst the Boilermakers’ Society, the Friendly Society of
Iron Founders, and the Shipwright and Ship Constructors’
Association has not yet been received by the secretary of
the Federation, but it is anticipated that the figures will
show strong approval of the new movement’.

Miners’ Federation of Great Britain.

Tuesday’s sitting of the National Conference of miners at
Lancaster, convened by the Miners’ Federation of Great
Britain, to decide their action on the Military Service Act,
revealed the existence in the miners’ ranks of a hopeless divi-
sion of opinion. Four distinct proposals were under discus-
sion. These may conveniently be set out in the following
order :—(1) A resolution from South Wales that a ballot be
taken of the men as to whether the Federation shall agitate
for a repeal of the Act; (2) an amendment from Northumber-
land that the Federation acquiesce in the Act, and that the
executive keep a careful watch on the future action of the
Government on conscription; (3) an amendment from
Durham on the lines of the Labour Party conference decision
at Bristol, expressing opposition to the principle of com-
pulsory military service, but to take no part in any agitation
for the repeal of the Act; (4) a proposal from Yorkshire that
the Federation ask for an interview with the Prime Minister
to voice their opposition to the Act.

Mr. Eobert Smillie, Scotland, president, was in the chair,
and said the fullest discussion was invited, but he hoped
that differences of opinion on this question would not divide
them on the great trade union work that was before them.

Mr. George Barker. South Wales, asserted that there was
no military necessity for compulsory service, as the Act
would only give the country between 200,000 and 300,000
men.

Mr. J. E. Sutton, M.P., Manchester, said he voted for
the Bill as the lesser of two evils. They were told that the
Act was not a military necessity, as it would only give the
country from 200,000. to 300,000 men, but if it had not
been passed into law, the 500,000 married men who had
attested under the Derby scheme would have had to be
released under the Prime Minister’s pledge.

The conference was concluded on Wednesday. The dele-
gates first voted on the four resolutions before the conference,
when an overwhelming majority was given in support of the
Durham resolution. The South Wales and Yorkshire resolu-
tions were then withdrawn, and, on a card vote, the follow-
ing resolution from Northumberland was carried by a
majority :—“ This conference expresses its opposition to the
spirit of conscription determines to exercise a vigilant
scrutiny of any proposed extension of the Military Service
Act.” It was further resolved that the above resolution
should be sent to the districts as a recommendation, and that
the districts should be requested to consider it, and forward
to the general secretary within one month their decision
concerning it. The final voting on the two resolutions from
Northumberland and Durham was :—For the Northumber-
land resolution, set out above, 367,690; for the Durham reso-
lution, declaring opposition to the principle of compulsory
military service, but deciding to take no part in any agitation
for the repeal of the Act, 347,800. The figures show how
equally the conference was divided.

The conference decided to defer the discussion relating to
the miners’ attitude towards the Joint Board of the Parlia-
mentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress, the
executive of the Labour Party, and the executive of the
General Federation of Trade Unions until the executive com-
mittee had further considered the matter. The question
will then be presented to a general conference for decision.
It will be remembered that the miners refuse to accept the
authority of the Joint Board in trade union disputes, and
for this reason refused to take any part in the Labour Party
Special Conference at the Central Hall, Westminster.

Imports of Pit Props.—During January 145,168 loads of
pit props were imported into the United Kingdom, the value
being £346,957. The imports in January last year were
117,755 loads, value £188,046; and in January of the pre-
ceding year 165,407 loads, value £176,746.

Partnerships Dissolved.—The London Gazette announces
the dissolution of the following partnerships :—J. Swanser
and J. F. G. Swanser, metal workers, at Great Queen-street,
London, W.C., under the style of Swanser and Son; H. P.
Palmer and Mary Jackson, ironmongers and engineers, at
Holbeach, Lincoln, under the style of Palmer and Company.

THE FREIGHT MARKET.

Chartering has been carried on in somewhat irregular
fashion this week, but the list of fixtures from the Tyne is
considerably longer than the average. At South Wales,
however, there has been marked slackness throughout the
period under review, and chartering has been reduced to
a minimum. Both at the North-East Coast and in the
Bristol Channel loading turns are still very badly congested,
a fact which renders chartering exceedingly difficult.
Licence troubles are again very much to the fore, and
coal supplies, too, are a constant source of anxiety to ship
owners, who experience considerable difficulty in securing
the. necessary quantities of bunkers. In this respect, the
position at the Tyne is acute. In that district, also, coal
cargoes are not offering in large numbers, owing to the
almost complete absence of prompt supplies on Newcastle
market, but tonnage is more plentiful. Bates from the Tyne
are irregular but, on the week, are substantially lower,
especially for the more distant destinations. Coastwise,
London is Is. reduced. In the North French market, rates
have firmed up towards the end of the week, but are still
lower than those prevailing last week by 2s. to Caen, from
Is. to 2s. 6d. to Bouen, and by 3s. to Dunkirk. The Bay
is likewise down, Bordeaux being from 5s. to 7s. decreased,
Bayonne 6s. 6d. reduced, and St. Nazaire 5s. to 7s. 6d.
fallen. The most remarkable slump has occurred in the
Mediterranean section, for which rates have declined to the
extent of 20s. for Genoa, 12s. 6d. to 17s. 6d. for Porto
Ferrajo, and from 12s. 6d. to 15s. for Marseilles. Oran is
from 7s. 6d. to 8s. reduced. Present quotations for all
directions, however, are indicative of a much stronger tone,
especially for France. At South Wales, stemming diffi-
culties are the great bar to business. Generally speaking,
rates are very much down on the week. North France is
barely steady at prices a shade lower than last week’s.
The Bay is steady at recent rates. Very little business has
been transacted for the Mediterranean, and owners have had
to concede big reductions in order to arrange charters. Genoa
has fallen from upwards of 75s. to the level of 60s., and
Marseilles is down to 83 fr. The general tone, however, is
now fairly steady. The River Plate as markedly dearer, up
to 46s. having been paid for February loading. The Islands
are neglected.

Homewards, the Biver Plate is very firm, and rates are
again moving upward. Very little tonnage is offering on
the open market, and 147s. 6d. has been paid for late March
loading for United Kingdom. Government agents have
chartered boats at about 10s. less. There is every possibility
of rates advancing to record levels in the near future. The
States are a shade easier at 15s. 6d. to the Bristol Channel,
21s. 6d. to West Italy for March loading, and 21s. for
April, for heavy grain. For coals, owners are now more
inclined to consider 110s. for West Italian business, and a
fixture is reported at that figure. The Eastern market is
somewhat quieter, and rates are a turn weaker. From India,
140s. on d.w. is the best rate obtainable from Bombay, and
Kurrachee would probably pay 130s. on scale basis. The
Madras Coast is worth 212s. for Marseilles with kernels.
Saigon-Haiphong is worth from 205s. to 210s. to France for
rice on d.w. Burmah is fully steady, and has repeated 175s.
for March cancelling.

Tyne to Bordeaux, 1,400, 40s.; 3,000, 38s.; Bayonne,
1,650, 40s.; Bagnoli, 4,100, 71s.; 2,500, 67s. 6d.; 2,300, 65s.;
4,000, 65s. 6d.; Caen, 550, 27s.; Civita Vecchia, 1,800, 70s.;
Dunkirk, 3,500, 25s.; 1,600, 28s.; 450, 29s. 6d.; 400, 42s.,
coke; 700, 42s. 6d., coke; 400, 42s. 6d., coke; Gibraltar,
3,500, 37s. 6d.; Genoa, 2,400, 70s.; 3,000, 67s. 6d.; 3,500,
67s. 6d.; Havre, 2,100, 26s.; 1,600, 27s. 6d. ; 2,200, 27s. 6d. ;
London, 1,700, 15s.; 1,400, 14s.; 2,200, 14s.; La Pallice,
3,000, 38s.; Lisbon, 800, 52s. 6d., coke; Las Palmas, 1,800,
38s.; Marseilles, 2,500, 65s.; 1,600, 62s. 6d.; Malaga, 1,000,
64s. 6d., coke; Nice, 1,200, 70s.; Newport, 650, 29s. 6d. ;
Oran, 2,000, 47s.; 2,400, 46s.; 4,500, 45s.; .2,600, 45s.;
Philippeville, 2,500, 62s. 6d. ; Porto Ferrajo, 4,000, 70s.,; 4,000,
65s.; Porto Vecchio, 2,400, 72s. 6d.: 3,200, 73s. 6d.; 2,500,
65s.; Bouen, 1,600, 29s.; 1,600, 28s.; 2,100, 28s.; 1,400,
28s. 6d.; 1,600, 27s. 6d.; 1,600, 27s.,; 2,000, 28s. 6d.; 400,
42s. 6d., coke; 2,500, 29s.; Bochefort, 1,400, 40s.; 1,600,
38s.; St. Nazaire, 3,000, 38s.; 1,500, 39s. ; 1,600, 40s.; 1,600,
37s. 6d.; Savona, 2,200, 72s. 6d.; 2,400, 70s.; 2,500, 65s.;
3,000, 67s. 6d. ; Spezzia, 3,000, 67s. 6d.; West Italy, 3,100,
67s. 6d.

Cardiff to Alexandria, 5,000, 82s. 6d., 700; 5,000, 80s.;
Buenos Ayres, 4,400, 46s.; Barcelona, 1,700, 55s. ; 2,900,
54s. 6d.; Bordeaux, 1,600, 44 fr. ; 2,200, 44 fr.; 3,000, 44 fr.;
Caen, 800, 23s.; 1,200, 23s. 6d. ; Dieppe, 950, 24s.; 650,
23s. 3d.; 1,000, 23s. 6d.; Gibraltar, 1,400, 38s. 6d., 500;
Genoa, 1,600, 60s.; 3,000, 60s.; Havre Canal, 800, 23s. 6d.;
1,350, 23s. 6d.; Huelva, 1,900, 40s.; 1,900, 42 fr.; Havre,

1.200,	23s.; Honfleur, 850, 23s.; La Plata, 4,000, 44s. 6d.,
early March; 3,400, 44s.; Leghorn, 1,600, 60s.; 3,000, 60s.;
Malaga, 1,100, 50s.; Monte Video, 4,400, 45s.; Marseilles,
1,700, 83 fr.; 2,800, 85 fr.; Madeira, 3,500, 42s. 6d., Feb.;
Oporto, 1,200, 36s.; Bosario, 3,000, 46s. 6d.; Bouen, 1,600,
24s.; 1,500, 24s. 6d.; 1,900, 24s.; Biver Plate, 2,800, 46s.;
3,400, 44s.; Bio de Janeiro, -5,000, 42s. 6d., 500; Savona,
1,600, 60s.; 3,000, 60s.; Spezzia, 1,600, 60s.; 3,000, 60s.;
St. Nazaire, 2,200, 42 fr.; 1,600, 42 fr.; 3,000, 42 fr.;
Teneriffe, 3,500, 42s. 6d., Feb..

Swansea to Dieppe, 950, 24s.; Barcelona, 1,700, 55s.; Mar-
seilles, 1,550, 83 fr.; Genoa, Savona, Spezzia, 6,400, 62s. 6d.
coal, 63s. 3d. fuel; Caen, 850, 23s. 3d.; Havre, 1,600,
22s. 6d.; 650, 23s. 6d.; Granville, 850, 22s. 3d.; Gibraltar,
38s. 6d.; Bouen, 800, 25s.; 1,450, 24s. 6d.; 1,600, 24s. 3d.;
1,800, 24s. 6d.; 1,600, 24s. 3d.; 1,550, 24s.; 1,500, 23s. 9d.;
St. Malo, 700, 19s. 3d. coal, 20s. fuel, 12 voyages; Bordeaux,

3.200,	45fr.,‘fuel; Belfast, 350, 12s.

Newport to Bordeaux, 1,600, 44 fr.; Naples, 5,000, 60s.;
1,000; Huelva, 1,400, 40s.; Gibraltar, 1,400, 38s. 6d., 500;
Seville, 1,600, 41s., Feb. 14; Nantes, 1,500, 521 fr.; Malaga,

1.200,	50s.

Port Talbot to Granville, 600, 22s.; Trouville. 600, 23s.;
Caen, 1,100, 23s.; Dunkirk, 1,500, 27s. 9d.; St. Nazaire,
1,600, 42 fr.; Nantes, 1,650, 421 fr.

Seaham Harbour to St. Nazaire, 1,500, 39s.; Cette, 1,200,
70s.

Forth to Dunkirk, 400, 33s.	"

Hull to Dunkirk, 800, 25s.

Wear to Caen, 700, 27s..

Middlesbrough to Huelva, 3,600, 45s.

Blyth to Havre, 1,000, 27s.; Bouen, 2,800, 29s.

Glasgow to Gibraltar, 37s. 6d., Feb.

West Hartlepool to Halmstad, 24 kr., Feb.

GOAL, IRON AMD ENGINEERING COMPANIES.
REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS.

Albion Steam Coal Company Limited.—The directors, in
their report for the year ended December 31, 1915, state that
the profit for the year is £44,535 18s. 10d., to which has to
be added the balance (after payment of the dividend in March
1915) of £2,357 13s. 6d. brought forward from 1914, making
a total of £46,893 12s. 4d. Two payments on account of
arrears of preference dividends (each at the rate of 6 per
cent, per annum) have already been made out of the profits
for the year, leaving a balance now standing to the credit
of the profit and loss account of £20,493 12s. 4d. The
directors propose to pay a further dividend shortly of 6 per
cent, on the preference shares, which will absorb £13,200,
and leave a balance to be carried forward of £7,293 12s. 4d.

Bessemer (Henry) and Company Limited.—The directors,
in their report upon the operations of the past year, state that
the profit has been £55,348 5s. 4d., and there is a disposable
balance of £88,577 4s. lOd. The directors recommend the
following allocations : To write off for depreciation of the
plant and machinery, £15,000; reserve fund, £10,000; divi-
dend on the preference shares for the second half-year at 5 per
cent, per annum, £2,500; dividend on the ordinary, shares of
10 per cent., making, with the payment in July of 2J per
cent., 12£ per cent, for the year, £20,000; leaving a balance
of £41,077 4s. lOd. to be carried forward to next year’s
accounts. The works at Sheffield and Bolton became “ con-
trolled establishments ” under the Munitions of War Act,
1915, on November 8 last, and the accounts are subject in
part to the provisions of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1915, and
as to the remaining period to the Munitions of War Act.
Allowance has been made for anticipated liability thereunder.

Briggs (Henry), Son and Company Limited.—The directors
have declared an interim dividend of 7J per cent. (22s. 6d. per
“A” share and 15s. per “ B ” share).

Bristol and South Wales Railway Wagon Company
Limited. — The report of the directors for the year ending
December 31, 1915, states that, including £1,597 5s. lOd.
brought forward, the net profit is £18,987 0s. 9d. Out of this
an. interim dividend at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum was
paid on August 16 last, £7,500; and the directors have carried
to the contingent fund £2,000; leaving a disposable balance
of £9,487 0s. 9d. From this sum the directors recommend
the payment of a further dividend at the rate of 10 per cent,
per annum, making 10 per cent, for the year, less income-tax,
£7,500; leaving a balance to be carried forward of
£1,987 0s. 9d. The contingent fund now stands at £65,000.

British Wagon Company Limited. — The profits for the
year, including £3,465 brought forward, amount to £66,083.
The directors recommend a further dividend of 4s. per share
with £3 paid.up, and Is. 4d. per share with £1 paid up,
less tax, making 8s. and 2s. respectively per share for the
year; providing £1,000 for excess profits tax; transferring
£5,000 to reserve, making the fund £170,000; and carrving
forward £5,452.

Consolidated Cambrian Limited. — The directors have
decided to pav a bonus of 5 per cent., in addition to the usual
dividend of 10 per cent., the rate maintained since the combine
was formed, thus making 15 per cent, for the year.

Fife Coal Company. Limited. — The directors recommend
for the half-year ending December 31, 1915, a dividend on
preference shares of 2J per cent, (making 5 per cent, for the
year), less tax, and a dividend of 20 per cent, on the ordinary
shares (making 25 per cent, for the year), free of tax.

Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds Limited.—The directors have
declared an interim dividend for the six months ended
December 31, 1915, at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum on
the preference shares, and Is. per share on the ordinary
shares, both free of income-tax.

Kent Collieries Limited.—At a meeting of the holders of the
£750,000 debentures of the Kent Collieries Limited on
Monday, resolutions were carried approving the arrangement
with the Channel Collieries Trust, and agreeing to accept
warrants for the interest in lieu of cash until after the end
of the wTar. Mr. J. M. Fells presided, and, in reply to ques-
tions, said that the warrants would be issued for a certain
sum every six months. When the time came for encashing
them, the amount of-the warrants would be paid, less income-
tax; and. in the meantime there would be no deduction for
income-tax. There had been no resumption of work at the
collieries since the shareholders’ meeting, but he understood
that tests as to the process to be adopted in dealing with the
iron ore were still being made on the north-east coast.

Knowles (Andrew) and Sons Limited. — In their annual
report for the year ending December 31, 1915, the directors
state that there was a net profit for the year of £47,199 8s. 9d.
An interim dividend at the rate of 4 per cent, per annum,
amounting to £12,000, was paid on August 1 last, and, with
the amount (£452 4s. 5d.) brought forward from last account,
the amount now available for distribution is £35,651 13s. 2d.
This it is proposed to dispose of as follows :—To place to
reserve fund, £10,000; to pay a further dividend, making 6
per cent, for the year, £24,000; to carry to next account,
£1,651 13s. 2d.

Lanarkshire Steel Company Limited.—The directors have
declared a dividend of 10 per cent., less tax, on the ordinary
shares.

Lloyd’s Navigation Steam Coal Company Limited.—At the
offices of the Board of Trade on Thursday, February 3, the
statutory meetings of creditors and shareholders were held
under the liquidation of the above company, of Post Office
Chambers, Pengam, near Cardiff. The statement of affairs
showed, as - regard creditors, gross liabilities amounting to
£7,257, of which £7,205 was expected to rank for dividend,
and net assets £21 12s. 10d., thus showing a deficiency of
£7,184. With regard to contributories, the paid-up capital
amounted to £5,491 10s. 6d., to which has to be added the
above deficiency of £7,184, making the total deficiency amount
to £12,675 10s. lOd.—Mr. W. J. Warley, official receiver, who
presided, said he had received three proofs of debt amounting
to £6,683. With regard to the affairs of the company gener-
ally. they were shown in the report he had already issued.
He should like to refer to the paragraph in his report which
stated that “ on July 26, 1915, an extraordinary general meet-
ing was held, and a resolution passed fixing the remuneration
of the directors (other than W. B. Lloyd) for the vear ending
May 6, 1915, at £1,500. The resolution was moved and
seconded by two persons, who acquired one share each on
July 7 and 15, 1915, respectively. ...” He should like to add,
regarding that paragraph, that it appeared from further
enquiries, that the amounts received or exchanged for fees
were in the nature of preferential payments, and it was pos-
sible that those sums would be re-claimed. —Mr. F. S.
Salaman said he represented creditors for £6,654 (the trustees