596 THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. March 22, 1918. my late frifend and partner, Mr. Peace, who was a man of outstanding capacity, I confess that I entered upon my duties with very serious doubts as to whether I should be able to discharge them to the satisfaction of the Council, and for the benefit of the industry. You may imagine, then, how grateful it is to me to find that after 25 years of service you are able to speak as you have done to-day of the way in which I have discharged those duties. (Applause.) Now, sir, the work of the Association during the 25 years has been somewhat strenuous, and I should like, if you will permit me, to refer to some of the more important matters which have occupied the attention of the Association. In the first place, we have had a Mine Regulation Act, which effected very drastic and far-reaching changes in the management of mines; and incident to that we have had provisions relating to checkweighers, rescue aid, Explosives Orders, and long enquiries into the general regula- tions necessitated by the alterations made in the Mines Regulation Act. Then we have had the Eight Hours Act, we have had the Minimum Wage Act, we have had lengthened enquiries into the law of Truck, we have had Employers’ Liability, and we have had Workmen’s Compensation Acts. It is almost impos- sible to think—because we have got accustomed now to these new regulations—of the great changes which have been made in the management of colliery and coal mines in consequence of the new regulations and the new legislation which have been brought into opera- tion during the last 25 years. Then, going a little wider than our own industry, upon the question of transport, we have had new Railway and Canal Bills, and we have had further exhaustive enquiries follow- ing them in fixing the schedule of rates and charges and the conditions with reference to sidings and wagons. We have had Factory and Workshops Acts which have entirely revolutionised the conditions in factories and workshops, and have of course affected very considerably those parts of collieries which fall under the Factories and Workshops Acts. We have had trade disputes to deal with. The Trades Disputes Act was a matter which caused great contention, and which ultimately came into law. We have had National Insurance—an entirely new depar- ture. W e have had rating questions, which have occupied a great deal of attention. We have had Finance Bills which have very materially altered the incidence of finance. We have the limitation of coal prices. Last, but by no means least, we have had control. (Laughter). Now, Mr. President and gentlemen, I have only referred to those matters which are more or less in the public eye. In all these, the Mining Association, I was going to say had a finger, but I think I may say we have had the whole hand. (Hear, hear). We have endeavoured in some cases to obstruct, in all cases, I think, to amend, these provisions, and although I am far from saying that we have in all cases been successful—that is to say, we have not obtained anything like what we have wanted—yet I think that I may claim for the Association that many of those measures were so amended at the instance of the Association that, although we could not. say they were satisfactory, at any rate they were much less unsatis- factory than they would have been without such amend- ments. (Hear, hear). Well, now, in all these matters in which it has been my privilege to take part, I have had the assistance—and it is essential to a person in my position that he should have such assistance—of the gentlemen who act as secretaries of the local associa- tions federated in the Mining Association. That assistance has been invaluable to me, andit has been given unstintedly; and I desire to take this opportunity of expressing my grateful acknowledgments to those gentlemen, one and all, for the assistance which has always been so willingly and pleasantly given to me. And I am sure my friends, as I on the secretariat, would wish to say that our labours have been made easier and pleasanter by the cordial relations which have always existed between us and the Executive Council, and by the unvarying kindness which has been extended to us by the members of the Executive Council. Well, now, gentlemen, that is as far as the past is concerned. That is behind ,us. What about the future ? Perhaps I should be wiser if I said nothing about that, but I cannot resist the opportunity of asking you to bear with me while I say a word or two about it. One cannot look forward to the future of this industry without some misgiving. The disposition recently—in fact, for some years past— seems to me to have been to endeavour to transfer the management of collieries from the colliery to Whitehall, and more recently to the Holborn Viaduct Hotel. (Hear, hear.) I am sure that that cannot be to the advantage either of management or managers. (Hear, hear.) We must, I think, be prepared, and I am sure that we should be wise if we prepared, to recognise that many of the methods and ideas of the past have to be scrapped in the future, and we shall have to adopt new methods and new ideas ; some, perhaps, unacceptable, but the changes have to come. Now my feeling is that if we meet the changes, not in. the spirit of opposition because they are changes, but with the desire to recognise that changes have to come, and endeavour to mould them into a character which would be less prejudicial to the industry than they are likely to be if left alone, we may look forward to the future rather with hope than with fear. I may be an optimist, but I think that this is possible. I think that if we endeavour to bring about a closer co-operation between all sections interested in the industry, we shall bring about a state of things which will be to the advantage of the entire industry—(hear, hear)—and for my own part I shall not abandon the prospect of doing this until we have endeavoured to do it and have satisfied ourselves that it is a hopeless failure. My friend Mr. Guthrie and I have had a great many of these questions to discuss—Acts of Parliament, regulations, and various things of that sort —and we have heard, as I am sure he will remember, from time to time gloomy forebodings that, if such and such a measure became law, disaster would be sure to follow. Well, gentlemen, the measure became law, and happily disaster did not follow. And I hope this may be so in the future. At any rate, it will never do, I am satisfied, to sit down and think or say, “ Because it was done in my father’s or grandfather’s time it is good enough, and it will do now." We must recognise that changes have to come, and we must meet them and make the best of them. Now, I have little more to say, but I feel I should be guilty of an omission which I should regret if I did not offer my own grateful acknow- ledgment to Sir Arthur Cope for the consummate skill with which he has executed your commis- sion. (Applause.) Gentlemen, the subject may not probably be able to pass the best judgment upon his own portrait, but to my mind it is an excellent likeness—(hear, hear)—and undoubtedly it is a work of art by one who I believe to be the foremost limner of his day. I thank you for the sympathy expressed to me and the great help extended to me at a time of great sorrow. Let me say once more how I thank you all for these beautiful pieces of silver that you have given to me, and for this portrait, and to assure you that although I value these, and value them very greatly, the inscription that you have put on the foot of that portrait, that I have secured your esteem, I value above all. (Loud applause.) The President : Gentlemen, it may be interesting to you to know, regarding the tea-caddies, that they are of the reign of George II., bearing the date 1750. They were made by Lawrence Johnson, and they are in the old shagreen original case. THE COAL AND IRON TRADES. Thursday, March 21. Scotland.—Western District. COAL. No material ^alteration is evident in the Scotch coal trade. In the West of Scotland district all classes of fuel are in constant demand for local purposes, even the house trade being heavier than is usual at this season of the year. Tonnage is still restricted, and shipments continue about the average since the outbreak of war. Clearances for the week amounted to 101,912 tons, compared with 96,687 in the preceding week and 90,314 tons in the corre- sponding week of last year. Prices f.o.b. Glasgow. Current | L’st week’s Last year’s prices. ! prices. prices. Steam coal 27/6 j 27/6 18/ -24/ Ell 26/6-28/ 26/6-28/ 19/ -22/ Splint 28/ —30/ ( 28/ -30/ 22/ -31/ Treble nuts 23/ ( 23/ ; 24/ Double do 22/ ! 22/ 22/ Single do 21/ ’ 21/ 20/ IRON. Business in the Scotch iron trade continues to be largely confined to national requirements. Pig iron is very active, and the production is increasing. Everything is quickly absorbed, and practically nothing is dealt with unless accompanied by a high priority certificate. Exports are at a minimum, and approximate values are as follow:— Monkland andCarnbroe f.a.s. at Glasgow, Nos. 1,140s., Nos.3, 135s.; Govan, No. 1, 135s., No. 3, 130s.; Clyde, Summerlee, Calder and Langloan, Nos. 1,150s., Nos. 3,145s.; Glengarnock at Ardrossan, No. 1,140s., No. 3,135s.; Eglinton at Ardrossan or Troon and Dalmellington at Ayr, Nos. 1, 145s., Nos. 3, 135s.; Shotts at Leith, No. 1, 150s., No. 3,145s. per ton. Malleable iron makers continue to receive orders from ordinary home and overseas customers, but the bulk of that class of work has to be laid aside under present con- ditions. Black sheet makers are somewhat handicapped through lack of raw material, while galvanised goods are still off the market for general consumption. Makers of rivets, bolts and nuts have plenty of orders on hand, and cast iron pipe manufacturers have also an abundance of work in the course of execution. Scotland.—Eastern District. COAL. The situation in the Lothians is satisfactory. Large quantities of coal are being taken by the Admiralty, and local requirements also provide a good outlet. Shipments were 19,605 tons against 18,046 in the preceding week and 17,841 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Leith. Current L’st week’s prices. prices. Best screened steam coal... 26/6 26/6 Secondary qualities 25/6 25/6 Treble nuts 23/ 23/ Double do 22/ 22/ Single do ! 21/ 21/ Last year’: prices 25/ 23/ 24/ 22/ 20/ Conditions in Fifeshire are still favourable. Home demands are good, and tonnage has been more plentiful of late. Shipments were 34,831 tons, against 44,612 in the preceding week and 13,848 tons in the same week last year. Prices f.o.b. Methil or Burntisland. 1 Best screened navigation? Current prices. L’st week’s prices. Last year’s prices. coal 1 29/ -31/ 29/ -31/ 30/ Unscreened do 24/ -25/ 24/ -25/ 25/ First-class steam coal 28/ 28/ 25/ Third-class do 24/ 24/ 20/ Treble nuts 23/ 23/ 24/ Double do 22/ j 22/ 22/ Single do 21/ 1 21/ 19/ All prices quoted apply to French and Italian business ; for all other orders 2s. 6d. per ton must be added. The aggregate shipments from Scottish ports during the past week amounted to 156,348 tons, compared with 159,345 in the preceding week, and 122,003 tons in the correspond- ing week of last year. Northumberland, Durham and Cleveland. Newcastle-on-Tyne. COAL. The local coal industry fully maintains that greater regu- larity of employment which has been manifest, thanks to the largeness of the official demand for coals, during the last two or three weeks. Practically speaking, all Northumbrian steam coal collieries have been working full time, whilst Durham gas coal pits, albeit not in so favoured a position, have been much better employed than was the case earlier. There was some additional weakness in gas coals midway through the week, owing to steamers which had hitherto been employed in the coasting trade being diverted by the Control Department for other purposes; but this shortage of tonnage appears to have been compensated for speedily. Several of the Durham collieries are only working indif- ferently, but the general position is fairly good. Prospects of steady working for both classes of collieries are good right up to Easter, although there is no shortage either of steams or gas sorts for early despatch. The bunker section is almost wholly dependent upon requisitioned vessels Smithies, coking sorts and households are in well-sustained home demand, which is absorbing the bulk of the production and leaving little surplus wherewith to meet what is a really good export enquiry. The same is true of coke, although the request is hardly as pressing as it was recently. The Norwegian State Railways are in the market once again—this time for 16,000 tons of Northumberland and/or Durham best steams for May-June delivery to stipu- lated ports. Tenders are due in to-morrow (Friday). There is no other forward business of any note. Prices f.o.b. for prompt shipment. Current 'L’stweek’s Last year’s Steam coals :— Best, Blyths (D.C.B.) ... Do. Tynes (Bowers,&c.) Secondary, Blyths .... Do. Tynes (Hastings or West Hartleys) ...* Unscreened ..........j Small, Blyths ........j Do. Tynes..........| Do. specials.......: Other sorts:— | prices. prices. 30/ -32/6 30/ -32/6 29/6-32/ j 29/6-32/ 25/6-28/ ; 25/6-28/ 27/ -29/6 27/ -29 6 23 6-27/6 ; 23/6-27/6 20/ -22/6 20/ -22/6 18/6-21/ J 18/6-21/ 20/6-23/ j 20/6-23/ prices. 30/ 27/ -28/ 21/ -22/ 22/6 18/ -20/ 18/ 17/ 19/ -20/ Smithies...............! 25/ -33/6 : 25/ -33/6 18/ -20/ Best gas coals (New; , Pelton or Holmside); 25/ -27/6 ; 25/ -27/6; 26/ Secondary gas coals) ; (Pelaw Main or similar) , 23/6-26/ 23/6-26/ 17/ -19/ Special gas coals .... 26/6—29/ ; 26/6-29/ 30/ -31/ Unscreened bunkers, ; 26/6-32/6 | 26/6-32/6 16/6-20/ 26/6-27/6 ; 26/6-27/6 ' 18/ -20/ 24/ -27/6 i 24/ -27/6 ; 18/ -20/ 24/ -27/6 i 24/ -27/6 : 17/ -18/ 28/6-32/6 I 28/6-32,6 27/6-30/ 42/6-45/ I 42/6-45/ ; 40/ -42/6 42/6-45/ i 42/6-45/ : 38/ 35/ -40/ 35/ —40/ ) 30/ -32/ Durhams Do. do. Northumbrians Coking coals.......... Do. smalls....... House coals ......... Coke, foundry ......... Do. blast-furnace..... Do. gas .............. Sunderland. COAL. Though quiet, the coal market is steady, with a slightly better tone all round. Steam coals fully maintain their late improvement, and are in full demand. Steam smalls remain a drug on the market. The inland trade is good, and it keeps many of the pits fairly well employed, but export business is slow, and collieries depending on this are losing time. Bunker coals remain quiet, with only the good qualities in request. Coke is steady. The home con- sumption is large, but export business is moderate. Prices are unchanged. Prices f.o.b. Sunderland. Current L’st week’s Last year’s Gas coals:— prices. prices. prices. Special Wear gas coals 29/ -32/6 29/ -32/6 28/ 18/6 Secondary do. House coals:— 25/ -27/6 25/ -27/6 Best house coals 32/6 32/6 30/ Ordinary do Other sorts:— 30/6 30/6 24/ Lambton screened 31/ -32/6 31/ -32/6 28/ South Hetton do 31/ —32/6 31/ -32/6 28/ Lambton unscreened ... 26/6 26/6 18/ South Hetton do. 26/6 26/6 18/ Do. treble nuts 22/6 22/6 21/6 Coking coals unscreened 27/6 27/6 18/ Do. smalls 27/6 27/6 17/6 Smithies 27/6 27/6 20/6 Peas and nuts 27/ -28/6 27/ -28/6 22/6 Best bunkers 27/6 27/6 18/ Ordinary bunkers Coke:— 26/6 26/6 16/ Foundry coke Blast-furnace coke (did. 42/6-45/ 42/6—45/ 40/ -42/6 Teesside furnaces) ... : 42/6-45/ 42/6-45/ 28/ Gas coke ! 35/ -40/ 35/ -40/ 32/ Middlesbrough-on-Tees. COAL. Movements of moment in the coal trade are undiscover- able. Considerable loss of time continues to be reported, and generally features are similar to those that prevailed last week. Inactivity characterises several branches, and tonnage supply. As regards gas coals, even the superior sorts are in anything but a satisfactory position, and inferior kinds are very slow of sale. Wear specials are 29s.; best gas coals, 27s. 6d.; and second qualities 20s. Bunker coals are dull and irregular in movement. Only the better class qualities command attention, other grades being quite neglected. Unscreened Durham bunkers range from 26s. 6d. to 27s. 6d. There is rather marked quietness in connection with coking coals, but sales continue to be made at round about 27s. 6d. Export business in coke is some- what slack, but home transactions are on a fairly good scale, though deliveries are restricted to some extent. For shipment both blastfurnace and foundry descriptions are put at 45s. f.o.b.; and gashouse product is quiet at 38s. to 40s. f.o.b.; whilst for home use average blastfurnace kind is 33s. at the ovens; low phosphorus sort 35s. 6d. at the ovens ; and foundry quality 38s. IRON. The situation as regards trucks shows no improvement. Complaint is as pronounced as ever of shortage of empty wagons, and consequent great difficulty of distribution. Whilst makers’ stocks of pig iron are accumulating, because