The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-09-14 00:00:00

HAGLEY.

Goon WORD FORA "PERVERT."—The Inquirer, the
organ of the Unitarians, ha, the following in an article
upon the religious condition of Moretonhampstead :
Unitarianism in Moretonhampstead has, for many
years past, been represented in the pulpit by the Rev.
Kentish Bache, who recently conformed to the Church
of England, and is now curate of Hagley, near Birming-
ham. It is no secret to our readers that, during the
greater part of his ministry at Moreton, Mr. Bache
preached a modified form of orthodoxy, openly repu-
diated some, if not most, of the leading principles of
Unitarianism, and maintained his position partly on
account of the open trusts of the two chapels in which
he ministered, and chiefly owing to the marked respect
entertained by all classes in the place for his valuable
public servic-s and his estimable private character
Widely as we differ from Mr. Bache in theological
opinion, and severely as we have often criticised his
course of action, we are glad to have this opportunity of
paying our humble tribute to his worth, as the former
Nonconformist minister of Moretonhampstead, and in
many respects one of the best and most efficient
country pastors we have had in our ranks. If he
did not preach Unitarianism we are assured that
he preached plain practical Christianity, and gathered
around him many of the most intelligent persons of the
place."
STOCK SALE.—On Monday last there was a good sup•
ply of stock, which comprised 55 lots of pigs, 82 pens of
sheep and lambs, and 45 head of cattle. There was a
good attendance and good prizes were realized. It will
be seen on reference to our advertising columns that
annual sale of ewes and rams takes place next Mon-
day.

THE STRIKE IN THE NAIL TRADE.

On Monday morning, Mr. John Price (chairman of
the Nailmakers' Association), Mr. Joseph Hackett, and
two Halesowen deleg,Ates waited upon Mr. Ball (the
chairman of the Nailmasters' Association), at his office,
in order to see if any arrangement could be mada for an
amicable settlement. Mr. Ball, in reply to a question
from the delegates, said it was impossible for the
wasters, in the present state of trade, to alter OA
August list, or to make any further concessions from it.
The list was a substantial advance on the one of April
last, and also on the ono of 1869, which ruled the trade
for three years. Mr. Ball thought the acceptance of the
list the beat for masters and men. The delegates said
they had no power to settle matters, and retired to
consult the delegates generally and whole of the nailers
out on strike.

On Monday afternoon a mass open air meeting of
the nailers now on -strike was held at the Cross, Old
Hill. Mr, John Price presided, and reported that in
consequence of having received a letter from Mr. Bali
(chairman of the Masters' Association), asking for an
interview with him, he (the speaker) waited upon that
gentleman on Monday morning. He (Mr. Price) said he
was pleased to go to see Mr. Ball, as he thought per-
haps the masters had empowered him to make some
offer of a compromise which would result in an amicable
settlement of the present dispute. He (the speaker)
was sorry to inform the meeting that from the con-
versation he had had that morning with Mr. Ball he
gathered that the masters were not in a position to offer
anything more than the August list, which had been
appropriately termed the "starvation list." He (Mr.
Price told Mr. Ball emphatically that he should never
work at that list. He could never think of returning to
work at a list by which he could not earn more than 10s
per week. As far as he could see, there was no pro-
spect of the strike terminating at present, as the
masters were not inclined to concede their demands.
Alluding to the list recently offered by masters, he said
me Bell himself admitted the inequality of the list,
which took off ime class of work 8 per cent. and put on
anotirer 10 per cent.—thus making 18 per cent difference
b,tweeu the two. (Cries of Shame.") His (the
speaker's) own class of labour was 5 per cent. worse than
it was under the 1809 hat. Mr. Ball was compelled to
acknowledge that there was somethieg very diagreeable
in like matter, but under existing circumstance, and
t"kr..g into ceasideratiou the prices paid before the
strike, they (the masters could not make the list other-
wise. He urged upon the we the necessity of estab•
it,anig a so as to preve,A in future a recurreuce
of Louse proceedings welch had brought abut the un-
happy staike. The masters alleged thee, the reason why
they count not make a f..ntner collect:1110,i to the men
was because the orders had gone out of the district.
Winere bad the orders gone to? If they had gone to
the invisible world the masters could not make thiege
look aarker than they did, (Hear, hear.) Masters said
there was no demand, and according to their representa-
tion they never would be any more. (Voices: " Away
with it; let it go.") The operatives all remained firm;
but if the people were willing to make further conoes-
iion to the employers, they were at liberty to do so.
aear, hear.) If, on the contrary, they were still deter-
mined to remain out ' uutil the demands of the men
were conceded, let them do so, and they (use leaders
would stand by them. (Cheers.) It rested entirely with
the people themselves whether the strike was prOlouged
or not.
Mr. Joseph Hackett, addressing the meeting, said, the
people did not wish to go to work, The people of the
Old Hill district continued as firm as ever. He thought
very few would be willing to resume work at the maetere'
terms if they could read and understand the list. He
believed they would be unanimous in their determina-
tion never to work at that list. They (the masters) said
they could not afford to give more than they offered.
If so, they (the men) could afford to play until they
could givo more. (Cheers ) When the employers
yielded an advance the last time they put 4,1 on, and
then took off 91 ; that was nut fair play surely ? They
c ,uld not stand such treufment. (Voices : "We
shan't.") Ile confessed he would rather go to the
Bastille than go to work at the prices offered by the
masters.

A resolution to play on until the masters concede
their demands was passed without cne single dis-
sentient.

A meeting of delegates from the whole of the dis-
tricts c3ncerued in the present strike was held on Mon-
day afternoon, at the Royal Exchange, Old Hill, when it
was unanimously decided to adhere to the original
rO3Ol Utica.