952 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. May 19, 1916. March 8 last, less 20 per cent., and that the maximum prices of coals sold lor export to France shall be those ruling on the same date, also diminished by 20 per cent. Exactly what this means may be readily seen by taking certain specific examples. Thus the present freight rate to St. Malo is about 3s. 6d. higher than the suggested maximum, while in the case of Bordeaux the difference amounts to 15s. per ton, and to Bonen it would be 14s. per ton. But even these reduced freights will be far higher than the pre-war rates, and it is scarcely surprising that Mr. Bunciman’s scheme has been met in a reasonable manner by the ship owners of this country, seeing that the new maximum freights will still show advances varying from 300 to 700 per cent, on the rates existing before the war. We are, however, still without any definite information regarding the attitude of neutral ship owners. Presumably they will be compelled to fall into line by one means or another, and there are several ways in which this might conceivably be accomplished. The important point is that this is the first occasion on which the Government has stepped in with a pro- posal to regulate freight rates. It has begun in a small way, and applies only to French ports, but no one imagines that the matter will rest here. The coal question is no less acute in Italy than in France, and we may expect an early extension of the restric- tions in rates to the Mediterranean ports. The ship owners of Great Britain have unanimously agreed to accept Mr. Bunciman’s plan on condition that the French consumer will get the benefit of the reduction, and that the saving in freights will not be allowed to find its way into the pockets of the coal merchant. We think the new French Law will secure this object, and in any case the French Minister oe Public Works is quite alive to the necessity of seeing that the price to the consumer is not inordinately raised above the c.i.f. prices. Apparently, then, there will be no further difficulty with regard to the freight rates, which will become operative on June 1. There remain then only the coal shipper and the colliery owner to deal with. The position of the coal shipper is especially impor- tant because the great majority of the exports, estimated at probably over 90 per cent., are in his hands. When it is remembered that France and her colonies are now taking nearly half the total amount of coal shipped to foreign ports, and that the French coal imports account for 55’6 per cent, of the Bristol Channel trade and 28*8 per cent, of the Tyne ship- ments, it can readily be seen that the coal shipper cannot be eliminated from the scheme, seeing that he holds in his hands practically all the machinery of the export trade. It is in the regulation of cost prices that the delicacy of the relations between the shipper and the colliery owner will manifest themselves. It is for the purpose of adjusting these that Mr. Bunciman has proposed the appointment of a sub-committee to co-operate with the coal owners. There are many features in the scheme that will require the most careful consideration, and it is understood that there is a decided objection to some of the details of the project. Thus it is suggested that the French Government should provide one buying agent in each coal district, but the feeling in South Wales seems to be against the proposal that buyers should come from France to purchase the coal. It would be premature, however, to attempt to discuss such comparatively trivial questions as these. The coal owners are conferring with Mr. Bunciman upon the whole matter, and there is no doubt that they will lay before him their full views upon the proposals, ’fit is certain that no selfish motives will obtrude themselves under the existing circumstances. As we have abundantly shown, both the industrial and military position in France are threatened by the present high cost of fuel, and it is imperative that something should be done to relieve the situa- tion. We owe it to our Allies to do what we can to help them, and there can be no thought of making capital out of the'exigencies of a country like France, which is so nobly defending the rights of civilisation against the greatest peril the world has ever encountered. MINING INDUSTRY AND MILITARY SERVICE. The Tynemouth' tribunal last week granted conditional exemption to the manager of a coal hulk at which auxiliary naval vessels are coaled. Sixteen appeals lodged by the employers of miners employed at Sparwood and Belmont mines were withdrawn at the Guisborough military tribunal, but opportunity was given the men to appeal on personal grounds. In the case of a conscientious objector whose case came before the Northumberland appeal tribunal last week, it was stated that the man had obtained work as a shifter under- ground. This did not appear in the list of occupations declared to be of national importance, and the military representative submitted that at was not competent for a conscientious objector to go into a certified trade. He objected to exemption being granted on that ground, for, he said, the Government had decided to “ comb out ” the single men from certified occupations. The chairman adjourned the case for a ruling of the National Committee. Mr. Long, with Mr. Bonar Law, ” and Mr. Arthur Henderson, received at the Local Government Board a depu- tation from the executive of the Miners’ Federation, accom- panied by the mining members, on the subject of the Military Service Bill. Several points arising in connection with the Bill were fully discussed, particularly the question on indus- trial compulsion. Mr. A.- S. Douglas, agent of the Bearpark Coal and Coke Company Limited, applied for total exemption for his chief clerk, aged 29, on the ground of indispensability, and for exemption for the cashier, aged 32. The colliery, said Mr. Douglas, drew 1,000 tons of coal per day, and employed 974 men. In the office there were only the cashier, the clerk, and three youths. 'The cashier was granted conditional exemption, and the clerk exempted until August 9. At a sitting of the Salford Hundred appeals tribunal last week, Lieut.-Col. E. Garside, officer commanding the 3/9th Batt. Manchester Regt. (T.F.), appealed on behalf of Richard Anderton (25), a building and mining surveyor in his employ. Col. Garside said that he had allowed one qualified assistant to go on military service. It had been suggested that if the New Moss Colliery people were not able to have the help they required, it was possible that a portion of the workings might have to be abandoned shortly. Mr. Anderton was a qualified mining surveyor. The local tribunal, after granting short exemptions, had refused a further appeal, as the occupation was not certified as one of national importance. Judge Mellor now said the question regarding the colliery was very important, and Col. Garside had undoubtedly made sacrifices. The case was adjourned for three months. At the Brierley Hill (Staffordshire) tribunal application was made for exemption pn behalf of a colliery manager, aged 25. His solicitor said that the man had been medically examined, the Army doctor stating that he was unfit for active service. Case adjourned in order that a medical certificate should be obtained. In connection with the appeal for tunnellers for service at the front, a meeting of the Lancashire and Cheshire Coal Owners’ Association and the Miners’ Federation in Man- chester, on Friday last, decided to support the project. At Leven tribunal, Mr. William Walker, secretary of the Fife Coal Company, claimed further exemption for a colliery clerk who had been granted two months’ exemption. Owing to the depletion of the staff the man had in. the interim been appointed registrar, and now dealt with the transfer of shares. Refusal was moved. PIT WOOD SUPPLIES, In view of the difficulties attending the importation of pit timber at the present time, and of the import- ance of substituting home supplies as far as possible, with the object of liberating tonnage for other purposes, the Coal Mining Organisation Committee and the Home- Grown Timber Committee are taking active measures to develop the home resources of timber suitable for use in mines. A joint sub-committee of the two Committees lias been formed under the chairmanship of the Right Hon. F. Dyke Acland, Al.I3., Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, to deal with the question. Steps are also being taken to establish in each coal field, under the chairmanship of the divisional inspector of mines, a local committee, on which both coal owners and forest owners will be represented, to consider and report on the requirements of the district, to make recommen- dations as to' how the requirements can best be met, and to organise conferences between the different parties interested. The probable requirements of each colliery is being asked for. German Coal for France.—Mr. Harold Co-x has recorded some impressions which he received regarding trade in a recent visit to France. He said he did not meet anyone who thought that after the war a complete cessation of trade between France and Germany was possible, for not only does Germany supply France with essential raw materials, such as coal, but the German market is also of very great importance to many French industries. France must import coal for the use of the extensive iron industries in her eastern districts, and the best and cheapest coal she can get for this purpose is German coal from Westphalia. The problem will be even more acute if France recovers Alsace and Lorraine, for there is a very active iron industry in German Lorraine, which -also requires large quantities of Westphalian coal. In order to meet the -difficulty in part, it is suggested that France should insist upon the cession of the Sarre district, which has been in Ihe hands of Germany since 1815, but was previously French. In this district there are considerable coal mines, but the coke which they yield is said to be inferior to that from Westphalia. Naturally, one asks whether English or Scottish coal could not be substituted for German coal; but the -answer is that the cost of transport is too high. France buys considerable quantities of English and Welsh coal, but they only go to those districts which are easily reached from the sea. As regards Belgian coal, apparently it affords no solution of the problem. Thus Frenchmen seem, to be agreed that in this essential article of industry they will remain to a large extent dependent upon Germany after the war. THE COAL MO HOTI TRADES. Thursday, May 18. Scotland.—estem District. COAL. The coal trade in the West of Scotland district continues to increase in strength, and a further rise in prices has taken place during the week. All sorts of round coal are particularly firm, with ell qualities the outstanding feature. The home demand is absorbing the output, and shipments in most qualities are now practically at an end, any cargoes now loading being chiefly against licences granted some time ago. Small coal is plentiful, but outputs are easily- absorbed locally. Shipments for the past week amounted to 118,628 tons, compared with 117,989 in the preceding week and 124,083 tons in the corresponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Steam coal 28/ -32/ 30/ ’ 15/6-17/6 Ell 35/ -40/ 34/ -35/ 19/ -19/6 Splint 32/ -42/ 38/ -39/ 19/ -25/ Treble nuts 21/ -22/ 21/ -21/6 17/6-18/6 Double do 20/6-21/6 20/ -20/6 17/6-18/ Single do 19/3-20/ 19/3-19/9 17/ -18/ IRON. There has been no change of note in the Scotch iron trade on the week. The home trade continues busy in all departments, while the export branch is necessarily much curtailed owing to Government restrictions. Pig iron makers are easily disposing of their output, both of haematite and ordinary qualities, to home consumers. Supplies are not over plentiful and appear likely to become scarcer. The export trade is very quiet, and prices of makers' iron are unchanged as follow:— Monkland, f.a.s. at Glasgow, No. 1, 125s., No. 3, 120s.; Govan, No. 1, 122s. 6d., No. 3, 120s.; Carnbroe, No. 1, 125s., No. 3, 120s.; Clyde, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1, 130s., Nos. 3, 125s.; Gartsherrie, No. 1, 131s. 6d., No. 3, 126s. 6d.; Glengarnock, at Ardrossan, No. 1, 130s., No. 3, 125s.; Eglinton, at Ardrossan or Troon, No. 1, 126s. 6d., No. 3, 121s. 6d.; Dalmellington, at Ayr, No. 1, 126s. 6d., No. 3, 121s. 6d.; Shotts and Carron, at Leith, Nos. 1, 130s., Nos. 3, 125s. per ton. The pig iron warrant market was again practically devoid of transactions throughout the past week. At the outset buyers main- tained their quotation of 90s. per ton, but holders were evidently uninterested, and towards the close prices were not even mentioned. Stocks are decreasing, and the total now stands about 37,407 tons, compared with 116,098 tons at the end of 1915. The call for manufactured iron is as urgent as ever. Malleable iron products, particularly, are in great demand both for home and export delivery, and values are very firm. Crown iron bars are quoted <£14 per ton net, but even higher prices are occasionally being obtained for prompt despatch. Other departments are chiefly confined to home requirements, but works, generally, are as busy as the supply oi labour will allow. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The coal trade in the Lothians district continues on satisfactory lines. Collieries are well off for prompt busi- ness, having booked as much as they can handle. Ship- ments amounted to 39,525 tons, against 28,952 in the preceding week and 30,018 tons in the same week of 1915. Collieries are averse to entering into fresh contracts in view of the continued rise in prices, and only day quota- tions are given. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s Last year’s prices. prices. prices. Best screened steam coal... 39/ -40/ 38/ -39/ 18/ -19/6 Secondary qual ities 38/ -39/ 36/ -37/6 17/6-18/ Treble nuts 23/ -24/6 24/ -25/ 17/6-19/ Double do 22/ —23/ 22/ -23/ 17/ -18/ Single do 20/ -21/ 21/ -22/ 16/6-17/6 The position in Fifeshire is similar to that pertaining in the Lothians. Holders of coal are particularly well placed, while values continue to advance. All qualities of round coal are in steady demand, but collieries are only quoting for prompt business in the mean time, evidently of the opinion that values will rise still further. As in other districts, smalls are fairly plentiful, but are easily absorbed by local requirements, while prices remain practically unchanged. Shipments amounted to 53,316 tons, compared with 61,123 in the previous week and 65,503 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. Current |L’st week’s Last year’s prices, i prices. prices. Best screened navigation coal 40/ -45/ 40/ 23/ -25/ Unscreened do... 35/ -40/ ' 35/ 21/ -23/ First-class steam coal...... 40/ -42/6 38/ -40/ 21/ -22/ Third-class do 32/ -38/ 35/ -37/6 16/ -17/6 Treble nuts 23/6—24/6 24/ -26/ 17/6-18/6 Double do 22/6-23/6 23/ -24/ 17/ -18/ Single do 19/6-21/ | 21/ —22/ 16/9-17/9 The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 211,469 tons, compared with 208,064 in the preceding week and 219,604 tons in the corre- sponding week of last year.