April. 28, 1916.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

817

Company, before the Fife Association of Mining Electrical
Engineers at Dunfermline.

Intimation from the War Office has been received in Buck-
haven that Lieut. Peter Hunter has been killed in action.
Prior to enlisting he was employed by Townhill Colliery
Company as oversman. He was first in the Motor Trans-
port, but later received bis commission in the Royal Engineers
(Tunnelling Section).

Damage to the extent of £12,000 was caused by fire at
the works of Messrs. M’Dowall, Steven and Company, iron
founders, Laurieston, near Falkirk. About 700 workmen
will be thrown out of employment. The fire originated in
the boiler house.

The Ceag Lamp Company, who are engaged on Govern-
ment work, have orders on hand from collieries for 15,000
miners’ electric safety lamps.

Complaint is made from a large number of collieries in
Lanarkshire that freedom of employment is being hampered
by a demand for clearance papers. Some managers hold
that some such security is necessary as a safeguard against
men leaving munition works to enter the mines. It is
expected the subject will be dealt with shortly at a meeting
of the representatives of the owners and workers.

LABOUR AMD WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

In the South Wales mining districts work proceeded as
usual on Good Friday, and no substantial percentage of
absenteeism was reported.

The South Wales Conciliation Board had before it the
important question of boy labour, but no effective decision
was reached. The employers’ representatives asked the
workmen whether they would be prepared to consider the
question of the employment of boys under 14 years of age
in order to assist in maintaining and increasing the output
of coal. The men’s representatives replied that, whilst they
could hold out no hope of agreeing to such a request, they
would give the matter their consideration.

Upon this subject, Mr. J. Winstone, acting president of
the Federation, spoke at a meeting in Pontypool; and was
strongly antagonistic. He submitted a resolution “ regard-
ing with grave apprehension the far-reaching effects of the
employment of children in mining, agriculture, .and other
industries, which must necessarily put them at a dis-
advantage throughout their lives,” and “ urging the
Monmouthshire Education Authority and the Board of
Education to take measures for preventing the employment
of children under school age.” Mr. Winstone said he was
not aware that any children were engaged in mining or
agriculture in Monmouthshire at present, but he was
anxious that preventive measures should be taken. He
sympathised with those persons who were considerably
inconvenienced by a shortage of labour, but he could not
understand why the worker’s child should be made to suffer
all the evil effects of what he called this “ damnable war,”
and an “ equally damnable economic system.” ‘‘Was it
a reason that, because the noblest and most virile of our
young manhood is being destroyed, we should sit idly by
and see the children of the nation made wage slaves? ”
The resolution, having been seconded by a leader in the
Railwaymen’s Union, was carried.

The Conciliation Board, having formally approved the
agreement on the non-unionist question , as arrived at through
the Board of Trade, have signed the terms; and it is now
being circulated to the colliery owners. The detail of the
agreement has already appeared in these columns.

South Wales employers are giving sympathetic considera-
tion to a request for supply of house coal to the dependants
of miners who have been injured while on military service.

Blaina district of miners, at their monthly meeting, had
before them the application from several lodges for out-of-
work pay, with a suggestion that as the claims were not
strictly within the rules, a special levy should be imposed in
order to meet the demand. The delegates, however, refused
to entertain the suggestion. A report was presented by a
deputation which had dealt with the difficulty in connection
with the supply of house coal; they having seen Mr. Mills
(Ebbw Vale), and Messrs. Falcon and Jefferies, with the
result that it was anticipated that no further reason of com-
plaint could exist. From the Workers’ Educational Asso-
ciation came a request for support in its endeavour to* prevent
children’s education. “ being sacrificed for the sake of
economy,” and the secretary wTas instructed to communicate
with both the Monmouthshire Education Committee and
with the Board of Education on the matter.

In the Rhymney area there has also been difficulty in
regard to the house coal question, and it was discussed at the
meeting a few days ago. Owing to unsatisfactory supply,
notices were tendered at Rhymney, but these had been with-
drawn, an interview with the management leading to belief
that the grievance would be removed. It was announced
that the price list for Fengam house coal colliery, which had
been under negotiation for a very long period, had been
settled. An opinion was expressed that the use of “ pullers ”
for getting out timber should be made compulsory in all cases.

A. preliminary meeting has been held in the arbitration as
to the payment for ripping top, etc., at the Copper Fit,
Swansea.' Mr. H. T. Wales, M.E., acts for the employers,
and Mr. John Williams for the men, he being the. chief
miners’ agent for the western district. Mr. F. J. Gibbon,
of Maesteg, sits with them as umpire.

Merthyr tradesmen are, of course, deeply interested in the
idea that the Cyfarthfa Works may be re-opened because of
the special demand created by the war; and the Chamber of
Trade in that town wrote to Messrs. Guest, Keen and Com-
pany, offering to assist in securing whatever labour might be
required. The answer was -a statement that no help in this
respect was needed, and that the labour required at the
company’s works and collieries would be procured in the usual
manner' and through the usual channels. No indication was
given as to the trustworthiness of the idea that Cyfarthfa
would be re-opened.

There was a one-day strike last week at the Abergorky
Colliery, owing to some difficulty connected with inspection,
the result being that about 1,000 men abstained from work-
ing the night shift. After the examiners had made their
round next morning, however, the men decided to resume
operations.

Circumstances in the tin-plate trade are complicated,
largely owing to the “ unstarring ” of the industry, partly to
proposals arising out of labour conditions. At a meeting in
Swansea, on Saturday, of millmen who belong to the Steel
Smelters’ Union, special consideration was given to the diffi-
culties that exist; and upon the “ unstarring ” of tin-platers,
an opinion was expressed that both these and steel workers

should have a separate tribunal, as the miners have, seeing
that steel and tin-plate are national necessities. The meeting
rejected a suggestion that, in order to release men for military
service, millmen should work 12-hour shifts, it being argued
that they could not stand the strain of such hours, and that
the result would be decreased output and increased cost.

The employers’ Welsh Elate and Sheet Makers’ Association
have approached the different trade unions concerned, and
have suggested that, as all their works are now “ controlled ”
establishments under the Munitions Act, there is no necessity
for the annual meeting of the Conciliation Board, which fixes
wage rates for the ensuing twelvemonth; but that last year’s
agreement shall operate till the end of the war. The Steel
Smelters’ (men’s) Union, at Saturday’s meeting in Swansea,
declined to entertain this suggestion; and their action is indi-
cative of the line that other unions will take.

The “ unstarring ” of tin-platers has created much diffi-
culty. At the Swansea district tribunal, the chairman said
that all tire single men must go—that was the decision.
Nevertheless, claims might be put forward by individuals on
personal grounds, applications to be heard on May 3. The
tribunal were satisfied that the works could be kept going
even if all the single men were taken. It was pointed out
that works cannot continue in operation without competent
smiths and fitters, and that if these happened to be single
men, the wholesale decision just announced barred them from
appeal except upon personal grounds. The clerk, however,
said that certain craftsmen necessary for maintaining in
repair the plant and tools were in reserved occupations, and
could on that ground claim exemption. One proposal mooted
locally is that the shifts shall be lengthened; and another is
that in each of the works a certain proportion of the mills
shall be stopped.

The adjourned enquiry conducted by Judge O’Connor into
the supposed “ lost 5 per cent.” of the anthracite miners was
resumed in Cardiff on Wednesday, when further evidence was
tendered on behalf of the employers. Messrs. Hugh
Bramwell, Evan Williams, and T. Griffiths, with Mr.
Kenshole (solicitor) and Mr. F. Gibson (secretary), repre-
sented the employers; while Mr. J. Winstone and Mr. A.
Onions, with Mr. W. F. Nicholas (solicitor), acted for the
men. Judge O’Connor will give his decision in due course.,
Resumption of work at the pits on Wednesday, after the
two days’ holiday, was irregular. Some collieries were more
fortunate than others, getting three-fourths of their men;
others had little more than one-third; and the average is
estimated at from 50 to 60 per cent.

North of England.

Eight miners employed at Walker Colliery were last week
ordered, by the Newcastle magistrates, to pay 15s. damages
each and costs for having lain idle without notice. For the
colliery company, it was stated that the men had been
warned, notices against losing time having been posted in
the yard. The notices stated that 18 per cent, of time was
being lost by the men, and that, unless there was an
improvement, isterner measures would have to be adopted.
Each defendant had lost three days. The 5s. per day
claimed was merely nominal.

Mr. T. H. Cann devotes much of his April circular to the
members of the Durham Miners’ Association to a criticism
of the “forward movement.” He states that experience
has taught them that such a movement is pregnant with
the seeds of disintegration, and expresses surprise that the
membership and official section of their lodges have been
so long content to take that movement lying down. The
Urpeth Busty lodge of the Durham Miners’ Association
issued a sharp criticism of Mr. Cann for using the Associa-
tion monthly circular in “ ridiculing and traducing men
who have given their best to the class to which they belong,”
and suggests that the circular would be “ better utilised
in repelling the attacks of our enemies.”

Federated Area.

At a recent meeting of the council of the South Derbyshire
Miners’ Association it was reported, with reference to a
dispute at the Granville Colliery, Swadlincote, that a com-
mittee composed of representatives of owners and men
should arbitrate. The dispute, which commenced several
months ago, is in reference to the basis rate to be paid to
the men in getting the Yard and Two-yard seam, where the
holing is done by machine. The owners claim more for
holing by machine than the men are willing to allow in
connection with a former agreement where the holing was
done by hand.

Scotland.

After having been on strike for three weeks through two
cases of non-unionism, the miners of New Cumnock
Collieries have unanimously agreed to resume work, a settle-
ment having been satisfactorily arranged. The case was
before Sir George Askwith.

The executive of the National Union of Scottish Mine
Workers met in Glasgow last week. Mr. Robert Smillie
presided. The finding of Mr. Balfour Browne, K.C., who
acted as neutral chairman on the recent claim for an increase
of wages, was before the meeting. Considerable dissatis-
faction was expressed with reference to the award, which
gave the miners an advance of 3d. per day. The general
feeling was that the finding was not in keeping with the
facts placed before the arbitrator. Mr. Smillie said that
attempts were being made to prove that miners were forcing
up prices by claiming increases of wages, but the miners
claimed increases only when realised coal values secured by
the coal masters were reported to them, and their claims
could not in any way tend to increase the price of coal.
As a matter of fact the present realised value of coal wuas
over 2s. per ton above the wage rate which had been secured
by the men, and, in view of the whole circumstances, it wras
agreed to ask for a further increase of wages to the extent
of Is. per day.

Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades.

For some weeks an effort has been made to secure an
advance in wages for iron ore miners in the Barrow district.
Negotiations, have resulted in bargain rates being raised to
8s. 6d. per day, with a minimum of 7s. 6d. This is
approximate to the Cumberland scale, and is an advance
of Is. 4d. per day. For a long time there has been great
scarcity of men for the mines, but very many miners who
went on to munition work at Barrow Ship Yard are return-
ing to iron ore mining.

Lord Rowallan, for health reasons, has resigned from the
chairmanship of the Conciliation and Arbitration Board of
the Steel Trade of the West Scotland section, over which he
has presided for 20 years.

Staffordshire Iron and Steel Institute.—The annual meet-
ing of the institute will be Held this (Friday) evening at the
Institute, Wolverhampton-street, Dudley.

THE FREIGHT MARKET.

Only a very limited amount of chartering has been accom-
plished on the outward freight markets during the past week.
Colliery loading berths at all the big tonnage centres are
being kept wTell filled, and turns are very difficult to arrange
for a week or two .ahead. The Easter holidays cleared the
markets of most of the usual operators, and only those
merchants with urgent business on hand have shown much
desire to come to terms. There is a feeling that rates are
likely to stiffen, and, for this reason, a number of shippers
have thought it well to secure tonnage at once. At the
Tyne, spot coal cargoes are still well nigh unobtainable, but
there is a brisk demand for supplies for loading further
forward, and buyers are, therefore, looking for boats, for
which there is some little competition. Rates fell appreci-
ably in the early part of the week, and consequently, a
decidedly firmer tone now prevails. Coastwise, quotations
are based on about 14s. 6d. to London, an advance of fid.
on the rate paid a week ago. In the North France section,
Rouen commenced the week at 32s. 6d., but has recovered,
and is firmly based on 37s. 6d.; Havre is worth 35s., and
Dunkirk 37s. 6d. Baywards, Bordeaux is quoted at 57s. 6d.,
and Rochefort has been fixed for at that figure, an increase of
Is. fid. on the top price of the previous week. Mediterranean
rates fell rapidly towards last week-end, but a stiffening set
in, and Italian ports are represented by 96s. 6d. to Genoa,
Savona or Spezzia. Very little movement has occurred on
the Cardiff market, but jrates have been fully maintained
and, in some cases, appreciably increased on the week. For
North France, Havre is 3s. dearer, and Rouen is worth
36s., after having been done at 34s. The Bay is rather
harder at 60 fr. to Bordeaux, and 50 fr. to St. Nazaire.
The Mediterranean is markedly firmer, and has paid 85s.
to Genoa, wfith options, an increase of 5s., and up to 110 fr.
for Fort Said. The Islands are represented by 45s. to Las
Palmas or Teneriffe, and the River Plate is steady at 65s. to
Buenos Ayres.

• Homewards, there is a strong demand for neutral tonnage
from the River Plate, and 165s. is obtainable from up-river
to United Kingdom, with a further advance impending.
For British or Allied boats, however, 135s. is the figure
indicated. The States market is very quiet, and rates for
heavy grain have fallen slightly, being now based on from
12s. 6d. to 13s. to the Bristol Channel. The views of the
Wheat Committee are represented by 16s. to 16s. 6d. for
the Mediterranean, and 15s. for the French Atlantic, as
against the extraordinary rate of 29s. 6d. for neutral tonnage
for the Mediterranean. Colliers are worth about 85s. to Rio
de Janeiro, and from 85s. to 90s. for the River Plate. The
Eastern markets are dull, with rates easy. Indian quota-
tions are based on 92s. 6d. from Kurrachee to United
Kingdom on scale basis, and about 107s. 6d. from Bombay
on cl.w., W’hilst Madras is quoted at about 150s. to France
with kernels. The rice ports are slow at 165s. for France,
and the Pacific quotes 200s. for bean oil to United Kingdom.

Tyne to Bordeaux, 2,000, 56s.; Barcelona, 1,250, 80s.;
Dieppe, 1,000, 36s.; Dunkirk, 750, 57s. 6d., coke; 600,
37s. 6d.; Genoa, 2,000, 96s.; 2,500, 92s. fid.; 2,500, 96s. fid.;
3,000, 92s. 6d.; Havre, 1,500, 35s.; 1,500, 33s. 6d.; 800,
35s.; Malta, 1,600, 90s. ; Porto Vecchio, 2,500, 95s. ; Rouen,
2,000, 32s. 6d.; 2,000, 37s. fid.; 2,500, 37s. fid.; Rochefort,

1.500,	57s. fid.; Trapani, 1,600, 97s. 6d.

Cardiff to Buenos Ayres, 60s.; Bordeaux, 3,500, 60 fr.;
1,700, 60 fr.; 2,500, 60 fr.; Bizerta, 1,600, 95 fr., 700; Cher-
bourg, 650, 32s.; Ferrol, 1,000, 37s. 6d.; Genoa, 3,400, 80s.;
3,000, 80s.; 3,400, 85s.; 2,500, 85s.; 4,000, 85s.; Gibraltar,
1,000, 30s.; Havre, 800, 33s. ; Las Palmas, 1,000, 45s.;
Leghorn, 3,400, 80s.; 3,400, 85s.; 2,500, 85s.; Marseilles,
2,300, 100 frl; Port Said, 4,000, 105s.; 6,500, 110s.; 7,000,
110s.; 5,500, 110s.; River Plate, 5,000, 60s.; Rouen, 1,700,
35s. ; 1,800, 34s.; 1,000, 35s.; 800, 3fis.; Spezzia, 3,400, 80s.;
3,400, 85s.; 2,500, 85s.; Savona, 3,400, 80s.; 3,400, 85s.;

2.500,	85s.; St. Nazaire, 1,600, 50 fr.; Sables, 1,000, 50 fr.;
Teneriffe, 1,000, 45s.

Swansea to Treport, 650, 37s. 6d.; Bordeaux, 1,250, 60 fr.
coal, 61 fr. fuel; Rouen, 1,600, 35s.; 800, 35s.; 2,300, 35s.;
800, 36s.; Bordeaux, 1,700, 60 fr.; Nantes, 1,400, 52J fr.;
River Plate, 6,500, 60s., 250; Dieppe, 800, 33s.; 3,200, 30s.
coal, 30s. 9d. fuel; Genoa, Savona, Spezzia, or Leghorn,
2,000, 80s.; Genoa, 2,500, 85s.; Cork, 500, 15s.

Newport to River Plate, 4,500, 61s. 3d., 500, early May;
Marseilles, 2,700, 100 fr.; Bordeaux, 1,500, 58 fr.

Port Talbot to Trouville, 950, 35s.; Bordeaux, 2,000, 60 fr.

Hull to London, 720, 13s. 9d.; Rouen, 2,500, 35s.

Hartlepool to Havre, 1,200, 31s. 6d.; Dieppe, 800, 36s.

Warkworth to Goteburg, 1,200, 29 kr.

Forth to Horsens, 1,600, 38 kr.

Glasgow to Genoa, Savona, Spezzia, or Leghorn, 82s. 6d.;
West Italy, 1,200, 87s. 6d.

OBITUARY.

The death has occurred, at the age of 87 years, of Mr.
John Worton Gardiner, senior partner in the engineering
and iron founding company of Messrs. Lingford, Gardiner,
and Company Limited, Bishop Auckland. He served his
apprenticeship on the Darlington and Stockton Railway in
the earliest days of the steam locomotive.

Mr. John Shaw, who died in Durham City, at the age of
78 years, was formerly engineer under the Cramlington Coal
Company Limited.

There was a large gathering at the funeral, on Tuesday, of
Mr. Thomas Needham Tatlow, secretary of the Bolsover
Colliery Company Limited. Mr. Tatlow, who was 61 years
of age, went to Bolsover from the Nunnery Collieries 24
years ago. He was one of the best-known public men in
the district.

Mr. L. G. Jones, cashier at Tondu for North’s Navigation
Collieries, died at the age of 61. He was conspicuous for
his efforts during the raising of the Park Slip Explosion
Fund in 1892.

By the death of Mr. J. T. Pascoe, at the comparatively
early age of 56, a conspicuous figure in coal trade circles
at Swansea has passed from the scene. For many years he
had taken prominent part in business activities, and had
served on the council of the Chamber of Commerce.

Monmouthshire Colliery Officials’ Association.—A meeting
of this association will be held at -6.30 p.m. to-morrow
(Saturday) evening in the Technical Institute, Clarence-place,
Newport. Mr. Jas. Dobbie will lecture on “ Steam,” in
connection with his series of lectures, on the production and.
application of power to collieries.