March 8, 1918.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

495

introduced in June last, when the amount of brokerage to
be retained by the exporter to other shipments than those
to France and Italy was limited to 6d. per ton. Although
in form the remittance goes to the colliery, it is, in fact,
expected to go to the Government, seeing that colliery
finances are under direction of the Controller; and it is in
South Wales that the effect of the new Order will be mostly
felt, because approximately three-fifths of the coal exports
affected are from South Wales. The legal power of the
Controller to take the action which he has done is
challenged.

The action of the Controller in this respect formed the
subject of serious and energetic protest at a special meet-
ing of the Swansea Chamber of Commerce on Monday,
which passed a strong resolution against the Order, and
even went so far as to decide that, for the time being,
the coal exporters would refuse to carry it out. Mr. A.
Wynne (president) expressed the opinion that the Con-
troller had no right to interfere with exporters’ profits,
and he suggested that they should take a firm attitude.
Shipments at Swansea were, roughly, about 3,000,000 tons
per annum, and brokerage on this at 6d. per ton would be
£75,000, or if the business were done with neutrals it
would run up to £100,000.

It is stated that when a deputation of exporters waited
on the Controller, and suggested that any further revenue
required should be obtained from the buyers abroad, the
Controller answered that he was satisfied that no industry,
except munitions, was doing so well as the coal exporters,
for they were getting larger profits than in the past, and,
even if costs had increased 200 per cent., they were still
getting a better return than formerly.

Maj. Harries, who moved the resolution of protest, stated
that the tonnage handled now had gone down about 50 per
cent, so far as their district was concerned, but they had
greater expenses. Many exporters were paying the w’ages
of employees who had enlisted, and it was they who had
contributed to the industrial expansion of South Wales to
a greater degree than colliery owners. Mr. W. G. Foy
seconded the resolution, and Mr. T. P. Cooke described
the proposed confiscation as a clear breach of the 1916
agreement.

It should be noted in regard to the position of exporters
that, under the Direction issued at the end of January,
buyers are relieved of demurrage in loading, this falling
upon the exporters; and apparently the new regulation does
not take this into account—at any rate, no express relief
from this payment is stated.

Discussion upon the Coal Exchange in Cardiff concen-
trated at first upon the legal aspect of the question. In
view of the decision of Swansea exporters to refuse com-
pliance, the question arises whether the Controller may
instruct collieries to refuse supply unless there be an under-
taking that the brokerage would be paid over. It is also
considered possible that the hostile attitude on the part of
the exporters might lead to the establishment of some-
thing in the nature of a single agency for supplying coal
under State regulation, though it is doubtful whether,
having regard to the complex nature of the coal trade,
such an agency would operate satisfactorily. The hard-
ship upon exporters is all the greater because they have
to give credit for large amounts, and even to make out-of-
pocket payments, while, in addition to their liability for
demurrage (at present high figures), the ordinary outgo in
respect of office and other expenses is exceptionally heavy.

The Cardiff Chamber of Commerce, at a meeting on
Wednesday, specially summoned for the purpose, discussed
the brokerage question. A resolution was passed to seek
an interview with the Prime Minister on the subject, join-
ing in this matter with other districts interested; and, if
such an interview were not obtainable, to bring the matter
before Parliament.

To remedy the complaint as to irregular work, the Dis-
trict Coal and Coke Supplies Committee will carry out the
scheme of allocation, of which the full draft was received
by the colliery companies on Tuesday. The scheme does
not yet come into practical effect, and there is still a pros-
pect of some alteration before actual issue of the Order.
The committee will be the sole administrative authority
empowered to allocate to each colliery the quantity of coal
which it shall produce, and to prohibit the output of coal
for shipment in excess of the amount allocated. In order
to carry through the allocation, the first three months of
1917 are taken as a standard period; and apparently the
restriction is that the output shall be not more than four-
fifths of that in the period referred to, unless collieries
are supplying house coal or to the Admiralty. Where a
company receives foreign orders or bunker orders which
would occasion excess in any one week of the allocated
quantity, these orders must be reported to the committee.
The allocation applies also to home supplies, and where
the allocated quantity is exceeded in the home business it
may result in reduction of the permitted quantity for ship-
ment abroad. Buyers will be required to take the quan-
tity of coal allotted to them.

As a result of the election of the checkweighers for the
Cambrian Collieries, Clydach Vale, the following have been
declared successful : Messrs. Noah Rees, John Thomas,
Ebenezer Davies, Evan Roderick, James Morris, William
Williams, David Watkins, M. James, Evan James, and
Bryn Pryce.

The final figures in the ballot for miners’ candidates for
the new Parliamentary Division for Caerphilly show that
Mr. A. Onions, J.P. (treasurer of the Federation) received
3,850 votes; whilst the local miners’ agents go as follows:
Mr. Hubert Jenkins, J.P., 1,930; Mr. Walter Lewis, J.P.,
1,598; and Mr. Thomas Andrews, 1,198.

For the Bedwellty Division a final ballot will be taken
next week, commencing on Monday, only two candidates
remaining in the last count—Mr. C. Edwards (of Black-
wood), and Coun. A. Thomas (of New Tredegar).

In the Abertillery area, Mr. W. Brace (Under-Secretary
at the Home Office) secured 7,541 votes, against 4,730 for
Mr. George Barker; and the Federation executive on
Monday decided that Mr. Brace should be the miners’
nominee; also that Mr. Winstone (acting-president of the
Federation) should be their nominee for the Merthyr Divi-
sion, where he received 4,176 votes, against 2,715 for
Mr. Morel.

In the report to shareholders, the directors of North’s
Navigation Company state that the board have negotiated
a considerable extension of their mineral “ taking,” and,
in consequence, have entered into a contract for a large
addition to their coking and by-product plant. It is stated
that the new area acquired is no less than 3,000 acres in
extent, and that it is in immediate proximity to the
collieries already working, and that the addition to new
by-product plant is due to the fact that the seams to be
worked are bituminous.

In their circular to shareholders announcing the issue of
£100,000 new capital, the directors of the Blaenavon Com-
pany state that the money is required to meet the cost of
large additions to, and improvements in, its steel manu-

facturing plant, which are being carried out by arrange-
ment with the Government. The programme includes the
erection of four new steel furnaces, which will double the
company’s output of steel.

The shareholders of the Powell Duffryn Company were
informed by Mr. Joseph Shaw (the chairman) at their
annual meeting that no fewer than 4,608 of their workmen,
with 99 of the officials, had been serving in the Army, and
that 163 had been killed. The company continued to give
assistance to the families of the men who had gone, and
the cost of this during last year was over £27,000. Their
undertaking was one of the few which had shown increased
profits during the year; but he took occasion to contra-
dict some Press criticisms, which were altogether wrong,
to the effect that they had made a million pounds profit,
whereas their pre-war profit was £400,000. They had
received consent of the Government to capitalise part of
the revenue that had actually been spent, and would
allocate to the shareholders one new share for every three
fully-paid. These would be allocated on March 26. Refer-
ring to the coal control scheme, he said that 80 per cent,
gained over the pre-war standard went to Somerset House,
and 15 per cent, to the Controller; and this taxation and
control, interfering with the individualism upon which
successful businesses were run, tended to take away all
incentive from the managers and staff.

Northumberland and Durham.

Firm’s " Diamond Jubilee”—Man-Power—Jaabour Candi-
dates—Question of Doctors’ Fees—Food Control
C ommittee.

Messrs. Scott Brothers Limited, one of the best-known
Newcastle Quayside firms of coal and iron exporters, cele-
brated the “ diamond jubilee ” of their business on Friday
of last week, the concern having been founded on March 1,
1858, by the late Messrs. William Henry and John Fife
Scott. The firm now has branch offices in Liverpool, Hull,
and Middlesbrough, and a very wide foreign connection.

Speaking at Kimblesworth on Saturday evening, Mr.
T. H. Cann, secretary of the Durham Miners’ Association,
said he was proud that, by an overwhelming majority, the
miners of Durham county had decided in favour of the
Man-Power Act, and to give their voice and vote in assist-
ing the military authorities. There were 50,000 Class A
men required from the mines, and Durham’s proportion was
6,000 or 8,000. By becoming a party to the proposal, the
miners then had a voice in the selection of the men who
had to go. Otherwise the military authorities would be
left to take who they liked by compulsion until the required
number was secured.

The choice of a Labour candidate for the new Parlia-
mentary Division of Seaham and Easington is to be made
from Mr. Jas. Robson (president of the Durham Miners’
Association), Mr. John Lawson (of Alma pit), Mr. Robt.
Richardson (of Ryhope), and Mr. John Herriotts (of
Windlestone).

The members of the West Cramlington lodge of the
Northumberland Miners’ Association unanimously passed
a resolution in favour of resisting the Man-Power Act,
unless the Government accepts the war aims of the Labour
Patry and conscripts wealth.

At a conference of miners’ delegates held at Rowlands
Gill last Saturday, Dr. J. W. Smith (president of the North
of England branch of the British Medical Association)
pleaded increased cost of living and of drugs in justifica-
tion for an advance in the doctors’ fees from 9d. to Is.
per fortnight. Mr. John Houston, of Chop well, speaking
for the miners, said the increase was not justified. Short
time was being worked at the collieries. Many female
workers were now paying through the National Insurance
Act. He contended that the doctors’ incomes had advanced
quite as much as the miners.

Capt. Jas. Blumer, of the Durham Light Infantry,
partner with Capt. J. H. Ramsey, trading as J. H.
Ramsey and Company, colliery agents, Queen-street, New-
castle, has been promoted to the rank of major as from
June 1916.

It would appear that Mr. J. W. Taylor, M.P. for Chester-
le-Street, and secretary of the Durham Colliery Mechanics’
Association, is not to be allowed an absolutely free hand
as to whether he shall be the Labour candidate for the
Division at the next election. There is another candidate
in the person of Mr. Jas. Gilliland, and the local Labour
Party is inviting nominations afresh.

Although the Durham Miners’ Association had already
decided in favour of assisting the Government to provide
men for the Army, it is intended to take a ballot, on
March 13 and 14, in accordance with the decision of the
Miners’ Federation.

The Gateshead Town Council on Wednesday considered
a letter from the Ravensworth miners’ lodge, asking for
representation on the Food Control Committee, and agreed
to reply that at present there is no vacancy and that, unless
someone resigned, no one else could be appointed.

Cleveland.

During February, 26,491 tons of pig iron were shipped
from the port of Middlesbrough, a decrease of 4,531 tons
when compared with the figures for January, and 779 tons
when compared with those of December. The shipments
of manufactured iron and steel amounted to 11,027 tons in
February—944 tons of iron and 10,083 tons of steel—a
decrease of 9,669 tons compared with the January figures,
and an increase of 1,347 tons compared with those of
December. The total shipments, 37,518 tons, compare
with 51,718 tons in January, and 36,950 tons in December,
and, save for those of the latter month, are the lowest on
record since the war started.

Cumberland.

At the annual meeting of the Cockermouth, Keswick,
and Penrith Railway Company, the chairman (Mr. Hamlet
Riley) said during the past year they had carried an
increase of coke and ore and shell steel. In 1913 they
carried 12,000 tons of coke, and, in 1917, 82,000 tons, an
increase of 70,000 tons. Of ore, in 1913 they carried
11,000 tons odd, and, in 1917, 24,000 tons, an increase of
13,000 tons.

Lancashire and Cheshire.

Mr. Thomas Mason, manager of the Worsley Mesnes
Collieries, Wigan, has been appointed manager of the
collieries of Messrs. Cross, Tetley and Company at Bam-
furlong, Wigan. His successor at Worsley is Mr. Potter.

Notts and Derbyshire.

To select a candidate for the new Parliamentary Divi- '
sion of Broxtowe, in Nottinghamshire, 250 delegates from
the Labour organisations and co-operative societies in the
Division met at Nottingham on Saturday last. There were
three nominees, from whom a final choice had to be made,
and the result of the ballot was: Mr. G. Spencer (president
of the Notts Miners’ Association), 137 votes; Mr. W.
Halls (district organiser for the National Union of Rail-

waymen, and vice-president of the Nottingham Trades
Council), 85; and Aid. Mellors (of Hucknall), 16. Notts
miners have now two candidates for the next election, Mr.
W. Carter, assistant secretary, having been selected for the
Mansfield Division, in addition to Mr. G. Hancock, the
agent, who is M.P. for Mid-Derby shire.

The Midlands.

At a meeting of the South Staffordshire and East
Worcestershire Colliery Under-Managers’ Association at
Dudley on Saturday last, a detailed report of the deputa-
tion which had been in conference with members of the
Coal Masters’ Association on the wages question was pre-
sented. This showed that, although no definite decision
had been arrived at, good progress was made.

At West Bromwich County Court last week, a miner
sued Charles Sadler, trading as the Speedwell Colliery
Company, Oldbury, for £1 5s. in lieu of allowance coal.
Plaintiff, a banksman, said he was summarily dismissed
because he refused to leave the pithead and go and load
ironstone on a railroad 200 yds. away. By the Coal Mines
Regulation Act he was forbidden to leave the pithead
when there were men working down the pit. When he
was dismissed he had worked 23 turns towards the 24
which he had to do to become entitled to a load of allow-
ance coal. For the defence, it was contended that plaintiff
was asked to assist in moving stone that lay only 10 to
12 ft. from the pithead, and some of which had to cross
the shaft in course of its removal. That work was pro-
perly within his duties so long as he could hear the
bell signal. Judge Smith said he thought plaintiff was
right, and that it was not a matter which justified his
summary dismissal. He gave judgment for plaintiff for
the amount claimed, with costs.

i Kent.

Last week the amount of coal raised from the Tilman-
stone and Snowdown collieries was again nearly 6,000 tons,
of which the Tilmanstone Colliery bad over 2,900 tons to
its credit.

Success has attended the deputation appointed by the
Canterbury Corporation to urge upon the Government
officials the reversal of the recent decision to disallow the
further sinking of the Chislet Colliery shafts. They have
been informed that, subject to any future restrictions or
regulations which circumstances may render necessary, the
Ministry see no reason why the work should not be allowed
to continue.

It is reported that the French company interested in the
Guilford Colliery, near Waldershare Park, Dover, are
awaiting the consent of the authorities in order to proceed
with the sinking of the two shafts which were already down
some hundreds of feet when work was stopped.

Forest of Dean.

At the County Court at Monmouth last week, Mr. H.
Williams, instructed by the Forest of Dean Miners’ Asso-
ciation, appeared to conduct the case for a number of
colliers and other workmen, who sued the defendant com-
pany for wages due. The plaints numbered nearly 30, and
in some cases the amount claimed was almost £30. The
defendant company was not represented, and judgment
was given for plaintiffs.

A sale was held on Tuesday by Messrs. Rennie and Jones,
Monmouth. All sorts of colliery requisites were disposed
of, and as there was a good attendance of local colliery
officials, good prices were realised. About 500 tons of
rough small engine coal went to the Dean Forest Coal
Company for 10s. per ton.

< Scotland.

After appeal to the House of Lords, the North British
Railway Company have obtained a declaration that they
have a right to let to the Fife Coal Company 17 acres of
land at Seafield, Kirkcaldy, belonging to the railway com-
pany, for the purpose of the coal company sinking a new
pit and laying down sidings. The late Alexander Birrell,
of Tyrie, as defender, maintained that, as the land in ques-
tion was surplus land, which the railway company had
acquired for the purposes of their railway and not used,
they had no right to let it as proposed.

A large number of collieries in Fifeshire were idle on
Thursday of last week as a result of the stormy weather.
Those depending on electric supply were idle through
damage being caused to the supply lines.

The work of erecting a central generating station at
Kelty Collieries is being rapidly pushed on. Two Babcock
and Wilcox boilers are in position, and being coupled up.

Burntisland Harbour last week exported 8,560 tons of
coal, an increase of 3,925 tons on the corresponding week
of 1917. In February, 51,396 tons of coal were shipped,
as against 29,905 tons in the same month a year ago.

The ballot of Ayrshire miners regarding the “ comb out ”
of Class A men for the Army has been completed, and
returns have been sent in from 25 of the 26 branches. There
is a majority in favour of negotiating terms of peace, a
majority against the Man-Power Act, as well as against
the machinery of the unions to secure the men. The
majority was about 1,400 in each case.

In Scotland only 30 per cent, of the membership of the
miners’ unions voted on the question of the “ comb out ”
from the mines. Of those voting, there is undoubtedly a
majority against the “ comb out.”

The delegates to the Lanarkshire Miners’ Union have
passed a resolution in favour of the National Executive in
Scotland being asked to take steps to secure the total
abolition of all forms of contracting about mines.

Manchester College of Technology.—The Manchester
School of Technology, which has, for some years, been
recognised by the Board of Education as being of univer-
sity rank, is to be known in future as “ College ” instead
of “ School.” With a view to enabling the college to
attract and retain experts of first-rate ability, whose ser-
vices are in great demand by industrial concerns, the
governing body is now offering professorial salaries up to
£1,000 or £1,200 a year, with permission to undertake
private consulting work under suitable conditions. Several
research scholarships, each of the value of £100 a year,
are also now offered, and lecturers are appointed not only to
teach, but to research. Co-operation between the college
and the industries of the district exists, and is increasing,
so that graduates of the college have no difficulty in find-
ing employment. Co-operative researches, in which the
practical experience of individual manufacturers is com-
bined with the wider but less specialised knowledge of
members of the college, are increasing in number, and the
City Council has recently approved conditions under which
it is hoped that the number of these co-operative researches
will continue to grow.