The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-12-01 00:00:00

TUE IRON TRADE_

• WOLVEUHAIXITOII.,, Wednesday:

The iron market this afternoon was quiet, and
sales were effected for small quantities. only to
supply immediate wants. The sheet and bar
makers reported having received, numerous., in-
quiries for delivery up, to the end of the year, but
the prices offered in many instance were• so, un-
profitable that they were declined. Some ofi the
common, unmarked bar firms sold several small
parcels of 100 and 150 tons of their iron, for which,
they obtained £6`ss. to £6,75. Gd, Sheets for galvanis-
ing purposes were not wanted quite so actively,
but for working-up. sheets there was, a fairly—
animated inquiry. Some of the manufacturers-
experienced no difficulty in getting £7. lOs
for their single-gauge. Hoops and strips for home
consumption were in moderate demand, and a, few,
offers on account of export were wade to several.
mak- re. The nail rod makers are doing an im-
proved business, but in the heavy sectiou6 orders
are very scarce, and. inquiries were of the most
meagre character. For pigs the demand was slow
and buyers were not dd.:posed to inquire for more
than 100 to 200 tens at a time, though the iron is

w inted for deliveiy wittiont d, lay, as thci forges
for the inusi part si,e eusy. Pric s wee upheld.
Ilie priucipai SueS reeor:.ed tills attern Oh reiated
o pat twine boa, sea isiiig about 455. to 50s. per
ton. Deroyshi,e and Northamptonshire brands
were quo ably firm at 455. to ss. 6d, per ton,
accurdi,ig to quality. In the coal trade tue busi-
ness trau.sactell was oinlimited characier, It is
out expee,ed that a strike of a grneral character
V 1 ill take place in the Black Country, as the men
tittve no hind, to tall liick upon, and the attitude
of the emplo3ers is of he firmest character, In all
probability the advice given at a recent meeting of
the men to withdraw the noiiees will be acted upon
The following resolutions acre adopted at the
u.eeting of the coahnasters held in llirming-
ham a few days ago to consider the course to be
taken with reierence to thu notices given by the
men's agents tor an advance of 10 per cent, in
Wages :—"Tnat ttie printed toms. isbued uy the
so-called agen,s for and on behalf of the colliers
are altogeteer irregular, and will not be recognised
as legal notices ; that this meeting unanimously
declines to accede to the demands ut the miners for
an advance f wagers, and in the event of their
going out on strike, resolves only to allow them to
return to wurk at the rate of wages LO which they
are entitled uud,r the late scale, viz, 3s. 4d. per
day for thick coal men, aod thin coal miners in
their usual plopostion."—Leit.rs were also read at
the meedng from Mr. E. Fisher Smith, expressing
his entire disapproval of the conduct of use men
and their tepreseutatives ; and froui Mr. W.
Bassano, stating hs willingness to join the trade in
resisting the Ueinanub ol the nien.

BIRNINGILim, Thursday.

Stagnation prevaas in the iron trade in conse-
quence of the impenum.B strike a colliers. _Business
is paralyseu, manu acturers being afraid to eater
into contracts lest the supply of fuel shouid
be cut off or the value enhanced. There
toes not apuear much prohab.lity of the lager al-
ternative, inasmuch as complete unanimity exists
alllullg the colhety propriet ,rs to resist trie uemauds
of the men. Nor does there seem any strong ground
for s.upp...s.ng that the men, even it t .ey strike at
all, wit, hold tnt inure than a few nays. Their
action is conieinnea oy puolic opiniun, and is con-
trary to all rea-on and equity, a, they are not al-
lowaig the period fixeu by the arbitrator's last
award to expire b fore resort.ing to
Under such ci.cmustances tilere can only be one re-
sult of the confli,t, a.d like the Ironworkers, who
heedlessly engaged in strife, they must succumb.
At the present time the combination among the
cuaimasters is ex.ceedingly strung, wnereas the men
are neither well organised n. a- well supplied with
funds. _During the past fortnight many of the
iromnasters have accu.inuJaied stocks of coal, and
will be able to keep their works iii operation for
some weeks, even in the event of a general strike
of colliers, but it the strike is only partial there
will be little difficulty in obtaining the necessary
fuel. some filans have entered into contracts with
coalowneis in o her districts where notices have not
been served, but there are of course other manu-
facturers who are in a less favourable posi ion, and
who will consequently experience great inconveni-
ence trom a strike, In mita few ot these instances,
however, ironmasfers wil not regret flaying to close
their works for a short period, as they are losing
money, and are only keeping their establishment.,
on from hand to mouth. Pig iron make s are com-
plaining of the scarcity of orders and the increas-
ine,. competition of outside districts,. especially of
the Cleveland makers. Prices ha . e not been af-
tbcted to any materiil extent, as they are upheld by
the comparative high puce of tel.