July 12, 1918.

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

87

LABOUR AND WAGES.

South Wales and Monmouthshire.

By instruction of the Committee on Production, Sir
William Mackenzie, K.C., sat at Cardiff on Tuesday,
enquiring into applications for wage increase made by
bricklayers at the different steel and other works. Mr.
Howell R. Jones (Dowlais) represented Messrs. Guest
Keen; and the Tredegar Iron Works, with others, were
also represented. The sitting was a prolonged one, the
men having sought Is. 6d. per hour plus 12^ per cent. ;
but they reduced their demand to Is. 3d. per hour plus
12^ per cent, in order that a uniform rate might be estab-
lished amongst the 56 works and companies concerned.

At Nantgarw on Tuesday the workmen, in protest
against the appointment of a new master-haulier, decided
not to work, their idea being that the appointment should
have been made from one of the hauliers already employed,
whilst the management, of course, stood out for perfect
freedom in the selection of their men.

The Joint Board of Colliery Proprietors and Examiners
met on Monday in Cardiff, the chief subject of discussion
being the wages question. During the strike at the end
of last year the men sought to have established a uniform
rate of wages wherein the lowest-paid will be brought up
to the level of the higher-paid examiners. Proposals were
submitted from the employers’ side on Monday, and it
was understood that these would make a marked improve-
ment in the position of the lower-paid men, and would
benefit about three-fourths of the examiners. Subse-
quently a conference of the colliery examiners’ organisa-
tion was held, at which a resolution was passed—that
whilst agreeing to the proposals of the employers as a
means of arriving at a uniform wage rate, their represen-
tatives on the Joint Board were instructed to continue
negotiations in order to retain all existing privileges at
the collieries. The question is to be discussed at the
different lodges of the men’s association, and a special
conference is to be summoned.

The Disputes Committee of the South Wales Concilia-
tion Board met on Saturday. As to the general question
of fixing rates for working substitute shifts, it was agreed
that “ A day-wage man who, at the request or with the
sanction of the management, works two shifts in succes-
sion to take the place of a workman who is absent, shall
be paid for such second shift the same amount of money
as the absent workman would have received had he worked
at the shift. At collieries where the conditions of pay-
ment for such second shifts have been more favourable
than the above those conditions shall continue.”

The dispute at the Glenavon Garw Colliery as to pay-
ment of war wage to workmen for Sundays was settled—
the committee deciding that where men work seven days
they are entitled to seven days’ war-wage payment.

Further proceedings of the miners’ annual conference
held in Cardiff included proposals that the use of auto-
matic weighing machines should be made compulsory at
all collieries, and a resolution to this effect was carried ;
as was also one for'the amendment of the Coal Mines Act
making it compulsory that safety catches should be attached
to all cages. The conference decided that every .endeavour
should be made to abolish the practice of filling coal above
the level of the trams. Upon the wages question the
Merthyr district submitted a motion that a minimum wage
substantially above the present minimum should be
established. Also that bonuses paid to all grades of work-
men should be merged into, and form part of, the standard.
This was agreed to; as also a suggestion that the executive
should demand a minimum rate for all workmen above 18
years of age. Upon the question of sub-contracting it was
resolved that unless this practice were stopped within two
months a further conference should be called to decide
upon action being taken. The old question as to payment
“ for all mineral gotten ” came up, and a resolution was
passed instructing the executive when negotiating the next
agreement to ciaim payment. This, of course, will only
be a repetition of what has been done over and over again,
and the old difficulty remains—namely, that what is
required is the largest output of “large” coal and the
present system of paying for large only (the price carry-
ing a consideration for the small) is the best in the circum-
stances. Amendments of legislation were' proposed in
regard to checkweighers, Home Office regulations as to
maximum temperature and humidity, the standardisation
of oil lamps, abolition of use of coal boxes underground,
and in favour of compulsory stowing of old workings.
Also for increased compensation pay to injured men; and
that soldiers incapacitated in the war should receive pay-
ment according to the rate of wages of the grade in which
they were previously employed. The Right Hon. W.
Brace, M.P. (Under-Secretary at the Home Office), was
re-elected president, Coun. J. Winstone vice-president,
Coun. Alfred Onions treasurer, and Mr. T. Richards, M.P.,
general secretary.

North of England.

The members of Durham Cokemen’s and By-product
Workers’ Association learnt last week-end that the wages
dispute which had resulted in their absenting themselves
from work on recent Sundays had been settled by a con-
ference between representatives of the National Union of
Cokemen and By-product Workers and the Mining Asso-
ciation of Great Britain, it having been agreed that the
men should be paid full war wage of 3s. per shift, time
and a half for three shifts on Sundays and war wage for
overtime, youths to receive one-half in each case.

The Cleveland Ironmasters’ Association announces that,
as a result of the ascertainment of selling prices for the
quarter just ended, there will be a reduction in blast-
furnacemen’s wages of 0-50 per cent., making them 94-75
per cent, above the standard, taking effect as from last
Saturday. The average net selling price of No. 3 Cleve-
land pig iron was 107s. 10-68d. per ton, a fall of 4-91d. on
the quarter.

The executive committee of the Northumberland Miners’
Association has approved of the formation of a branch at
Walbottle, where the Percy Pit has been reopened. Other
decisions come to at recent meetings include : That as, in
the executive committee’s opinion, it would be useless to
ask the Government to pay the expenses of colliery com-
mittees for their work in connection with the comb-out
of miners, the executive committee cannot agree to the
suggestion from Ellington to make such a request; to
refuse to grant the application of the National Association
of Chemists for the use of the miners’ hall for a meeting ;
to ask Stobswood branch whether it is possible for the
colliery manager to secure other workmen to do the neces-
sary stone work instead of hewers doing it on Sundays ;
to advise Sleekburn branch, in case of the management
persisting in its refusal to pay a boy according to the
scale of minimum wages, to take the case before an
umpire, under the Minimum Wages Board rules ; to ask
Blucher branch to arrange for a deputation from the
executive committee to interview the colliery manager

regarding the rent and coal allowance of a discharged
soldier, who, in consequence of the alleged refusal of the
colliery company to employ him, secured work under the
Admiralty; and to get legal opinion on the question of
claims for income-tax in the case of men now in the Army
for the quarter previous to enlistment, and as to the
liability of the parents of such men for the payment of
these claims.

Scotland,

The miners employed on both shifts in the disputed
i section at Franklin Colliery, Shettleston, have agreed to
accept the increase of 3d. on the tonnage rate which was
recommended by the inspectors.

Trouble has arisen at Ballochney Colliery, Airdrie,
regarding the wages paid for drawing coal in a section
there. The miners caused a special examination to be
made of the roads, but the owners have declined to approve
of the recommendation made.

The dispute at Carrenden Collieries, Old Cumnock, Ayr-
shire, led to a strike.

At Streethead Colliery, in the Galston district of Ayr-
shire, the offer of the miners to accept an increase of 3d.
per ton instead of 4^d. per ton originally demanded, has
not been entertained by the owners.

A general demand has been made by the underground
firemen in the Annbank’district of Ayrshire for an eight
hours’ day.

Throughout the Scottish mining districts the decision to
accept an advance of Is. 6d. per day is sharply criticised.
Many branches were favourable to ceasing work in order
to enforce an increase of 5s. per day. By the latest
advance the Scottish standard rate is raised to I3s. a
shift. The increase stands at 86 per cent., and amounts
in actual money to nearly 36s. a week.

The decision of the Lanarkshire miners to shut down
the pits for ten days at the holiday season this year is
regarded as unfortunate. In all the other districts through-
out Britain holidays are being kept within moderate limits.

A few colliery committees in Scotland have refused to
assist in the comb-out, and where this has happened many
cases of great hardship have transpired.

Mr. V. L. Cook has visited Polton Colliery, East
Lothian, on behalf of the Coal Controller to enquire into
the dispute which has been pending for some time. Nego-
tiations are proceeding.

The miners in the East of Fife are protesting against
the increase made in car fares, and have threatened to
down tools on Monday, July 21, if by that date the Board
of Trade have not intervened. The attention of the Coal
Controller has also been drawn to the fact that in the
Kirkcaldy area a serious loss of output is bound to follow
as a result of the inadequacy of the car service.

A large number of the miners who left the Wemyss
district to work in the mines of Cumberland have returned
and are being started in the Wemyss pits. When they
left, work at Wemyss was very poor, but now a more
healthy condition exists. Outputs in this district have
been going up, and more coal is being asked for.

The dispute at Bowhill Colliery, which has created a
huge loss of output of coal, is likely to be amicably settled.
The stoppage occurred in connection with the dismissal
of a miner who had met wTith an accident and who had
, been employed above ground.

At the monthly conference of the Fife and Kinross
Miners’ Board it was explained by Mr. Adamson that with
reference to the rationing of coal the miners would be
excluded from the rationing scheme, as their domestic
conditions necessitated the use of a greater supply of coal
than was used in ordinary working-class households.

The dispute at Blairhall Colliery has now been settled.
The brushers have been granted an increase of 6d. per
day. The matter was taken up by the Coal Controller.

The influenza epidemic is seriously affecting a large
number of collieries in the East of Scotland. In some
cases 50 per cent, of the men are off.

The financial statement issued by the Fife Miners’
Board shows contributions for the year amounting to
<£21,809, an increase of <£1,273 over last year. Financial
claims amounted to <£3,428, an increase of <£500, the
explanation being that since the war began the associa-
tion have taken all responsibility, without payment of
contributions, for the loss of lives of members in action.
The total funds- of the association amount to <£60,377.

Iron, Steel and Engineering Trades.

The Steel Workers’ Conciliation Board for South Wales
and Monmouthshire met on Saturday at the Engineers’
Institute, Cardiff, Mr. F. Mills, of Ebbw Vale, in the
chair. The result of the audit for the three months ended
May 31 was submitted, and this showed that an advance
of 3| per cent, would be due as from July 1. The wage
rate is now 103 per cent, above the standard.

Consett steel mill men’s wages have been advanced by
5 per cent, for the current three months, raising these
wages to 67^ per cent, above pre-war rates.

The Cleveland ironstone mineowners and representatives
of the miners met at Middlesbrough this week to discuss
the question of wages for the fensuing quarter. No official
statement as to the outcome of the meeting was issued,
but it is understood that a settlement was not reached.

Coaling Ports.—To exclude the Central Powers from
holding coaling naval stations in ports bordering upon
the Pacific, Senator Saulsbury has introduced a resolution,
in the United States Senate providing for an agreement
to such an effect between Japan, Great Britain, and the
United States. Russia and China would be signatories as
soon as they recover militarily. The resolution also ex-
tends the inhibition to all other Powers not observing the
rules of war now or after the close of present hostilities.

Peat for Fuel.—The Controller of Coal Mines has issued
a circular in which he directs attention to the importance
of developing the resources of any alternative kinds of
fuel, in view of the drastic economy in the use of coal
which is necessitated by the release of miners for service
in the Army and the increasing demands of our Allies.
He urges that the matter should be 'taken up by the
local coal committees where they exist, and local authori-
ties generally, pointing out that hitherto the great re-
sources of the United Kingdom have not been developed
to any extent, and that the needs of the time render it
imperative that the fullest use should be made of the avail-
able supplies. There are larger supplies of peat in the
country than is generally thought, but the Controller states
that if peat-cutting is to be done on any considerable scale,
so that the fuel may be of use in the forthcoming winter,
operations will have to be started immediately, as the
peat- cutting season, which begins in some districts early
in March, is already far advanced. Peat which is not
cut by the end of July is not likely to be in a fit con-
dition for use during the winter. In the circular directions
are given in the method of cutting, drying, and preparing
peat for fuel.

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS.

The Editors are not responsible either for the statements
made, or the opinions expressed by correspondents.

All communications must be authenticated by the name
and address of the sender, whether for publication
or not. No notice can be taken of anonymous
communications.

As replies to questions are only given by way of published
answers to correspondents, and not by letter, stamped
addressed envelopes are not required to be sent.

THE MAGNETIC NEEDLE.

Sirs,—It is clear from the communications which
have appeared in your paper that the extent of the
diurnal variations of the magnetic needle was not
appreciated generally by mine surveyors. One who has
emphasised the point for over ten years in a number of
publications cannot be expected to agree, however,
with the statement made in your leader of the issue
of the 21st ult. that such variation has been entirely
ignored hitherto.

Further, the writer desires to offer a word of warn-
ing against the present apparent tendency to adopt
an extreme view. It will be unfortunate if the more
general knowledge of the limitations of the magnetic
needle results in destroying all faith in its wonderful
properties.

Whilst the same degree of accuracy cannot be
obtained from a needle survey as from a surface base
line, neither can the same degree of error. By taking
reasonable precautions, fairly accurate surveys can
be made with the magnetic needle without making too
great demands on convenience, skill, and instruments,
and the numerous checks afforded usually prevent
serious error.

Where the best conditions and highly skilled sur-
veyors can be premised, then the writer agrees with
your counsel of' perfection. T. A. O’Donahue.

Birmingham, July 8, 1918.

COAL, IRON AND ENGINEERING COMPANIES.
REPORTS AND DIVIDENDS.

Bradford Coal Merchants’ and Consumers' Association.
—The report for the year ended March 31 states that
profits, after providing for bad and doubtful debts, de-
preciation, maintenance and repairs to wagons, plant, etc.,
amount to £19,512; £3,818 was brought forward, making
£23,330. Deducting £2,601 for central office and adminis-
tration expenses, dividend on preference shares, interim
dividend on ordinary shares, and £1,970 for income tax,
there is left £10,263. The directors propose to place to
reserve fund £1,000, pay a dividend on ordinary shares
at 3| per cent, for the six months (making 5| per cent,
for the year), and to carry forward £4,020.

British Thomson-Houston Company Limited.—The re-
port for 1917 states that the profits, after deducting all
expenses and charges other than interest on debentures
and loans, and after making provision for estimated war
taxation for the year, are £329,664; £163,923 was brought
forward, and after setting aside £150,000 as provision to
end of 1916 for munitions levy and excess profits duty
there is a balance of £343,587. The directors recommend
there be appropriated for depreciations and reserves
£194,098, and to carry forward £53,744. t A capital reserve
account of £237,959 has been created.

Dominion Steel Corporation Limited.—Dividend No. 26
at rate of 1^ per cent, on preference shares.

Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Company
Limited.—The directors recommend a dividend for the
half-year to May 31 last of 10 per cent., making 10 per
cent, for the year, less income tax, also a bonus of 5 per
cent., free of income tax.

Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company Limited.—The report
for the year to May 31 last states that the profit, after
deducting all ordinary expenses, depreciation on works
and plant, and making provision for excess profits duty
and income tax, amounts to £97,145, and £46,447 was
brought forward, making £143,592. The directors recom-
mend a dividend on the ordinary shares of 4s. per share
(subject to deduction of tax), to carry to reserve £25,000,
and to carry forward £48,592.

Richardsons, Westgarth and Company Limited. — The
directors announce that the committee of preference and
ordinary shareholders have been unable to confirm the
scheme for the rearrangement of the company’s capital,
agreed upon at a meeting held at Leeds on April 24. The
directors will propose at the next annual meeting that after
providing for debenture interest, current depreciation,
and other charges, the surplus profits for 1917 shall be
applied wholly in reduction of arrears of depreciation, and
that out of the profits for 1918 one year’s arrears of divi-
dends on the preference shares, amounting to 6 per cent.,
shall be paid immediately, and a second year’s arrears on
December 31 next.

Steel Company of Canada Limited.—Directors have de-
clared regular dividend of 1| per cent, on preference shares
and 1| per cent, on ordinary shares for quarter ended
June 30.

NEW COMPANIES.

David (G. Leonard) and Company Limited.—Registered
June 2, to carry on the business of colliery agents and
coal exporters, importers, factors, and wholesale and
retail merchants. Nominal capital, £5,000 in 5,000 ordi-
nary shares of £1. Directors : G. T. Davies and J. C.
Napier.

Huntsman (R.) Limited.—Registered office, Retford,
Notts. Steel makers. Subscribers (1 share), first and
second directors.

West Suburban Tool and Engineering Works Limited.
—Private company. Registered June 28. Objects indi-
cated by title. Nominal capital, £3,000 in 3,000 ordinary
shares of £1 each. Directors: T. Seaman, J. Standfield,
and S. L. Pendrous. Qualification of directors, £250.

This list of new companies is taken from the Daily
Register, specially compiled by Messrs. Jordan and Sons
Limited, company registration agents, Chancery-lane, E.C.

The United Steel Companies have arranged to acquire the
Distington Iron Company’s haematite iron works at Disting-
ton and the Beckermet Iron Ore Mining Company’s high
grade ore mine at Beckermet, on the basis, it was stated, of
£2 for each £1 share.