The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-01 00:00:00

THE COLLIERS.

WOLVERHAMPTON, Wednesday.

The main topic of discussion on 'Change to.
day %Nati the demand of the South Staffordhire
and East Worcestershire colliers for an increase
in the wages of thick coal men of a shilling a
"day," and in thin coal men of ninepence a
" day," made known yesterday to have been re-
solved upon at a representative meeting on Mon-
day. It was no secret that the miners had for
some time past made up their minds to get a
higher scale of remuneration, but very few col-
liery proprietors had anticipated that the demand
would be for more than sixpence and threepence
respectively; and it did not seem unlikely that
such a rise would .have been granted, although
wages were advanced those precise amounts no
later than towards the end of October. There
were colliery-owners on 'Change who held that
this implied readiness on the part of masters to
concede a reasonable application by the men had
encouraged the operatives to require an increase
which the state of the trade did not warrant.
There were others who complained in most em-
phatic language, of the inconsiderateness of the
miners. Whether or not the rise, for which the
men are to give notice on New Year's Day, will
be granted was only matter of speculation. It
was clear, however, that there was no advocate
for such a concession among the coal and iron
masters present.. Indeed, it was looked upon
with much disfavour on all hands, and there was
a pretty general agreement that the concession
would materially tend to the disorganisation of
the iron market.
Of course, if the men's demands are acquiesced
in, coal quotations must be substantially ad-
vanced, and ironmasters would have to!compen-
sate themselves for this addition to productive
cost by an equivalent in the shape of higher
rates. Regardful of such an issue, ironmasters,
in response to " feelers" put forth by customers,
talked of the unnrofitableness of current quota-
tions, and of the probability of prices being
advanced at quarter-day. Consumers affirmed
that any augmentation would prove disastrous
to business ; for the current standard oven did
not permit them to buy more than bare require-
ments. All prices were very firm.
Finished iron could not be bought readily at
the quotations of last week, but was without re-
portable change. 2s 6d a ton more than at
quarter-day was given for good foreign pigs,
, which met with a steady enquiry. Coal was from
is to 2s dearer than at last quarter-day. On the
whole, the market was characterised by that
feeling of nervousness and that absence of trade
which arc always observable when the future of
prices is uncertain.

At the weekly meeting of the iron trade, on
Thursday, there was but a limited attendance,
and few of the leading firms were represented.
A few enquiries were made to test prices, but
the transactions resulting were alwost nil, nei-
thor producers nor buyers evincing any disposi-
tion for business. The former are evidently de.
terred from entering into further engagements
at present by the unsettled aspect of the coal
trade, and the apprehension ot a further ad-
vance in fuel. Tnere appears to be no doubt
that the collier 3 will, give notice for
another rise of wages, and if they should succeed
in extorting some concession, a fresh advance
in coal will be inevitable. The rise demanded is
is .per day, and 9th per day .in the thick and
thin coal districts respectively, but the miners
would no doubt be well satisfied to obtain half
their demand, which would represent an advance
of 2s. per ton in the price of coal.