The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-11-04 00:00:00

'VF IL

EARLY CLOSING MOVEMENT.

A large and influential meeting of tradesmen and
shopkeepers was held in the Corn Exchange, on Thurs-
day evening, to consider the early c.losieg movement.
Amongst those present were Captain Walker, the Revile.
H. Sherrard, T. Williams, A. 0. Girdlestone, J. W. Bed,
.J. Richards, D. Maginuis, D. Jones; Messrs. J. B.
Shepherd, A. Freer. H. Newnam, H. Billitigham, J. All.
SOP, sen., L. H. rtckwood, C. illurisom, R. Heckford,
W. Mills, G. Doody, J. Taylor, C. Even:, W. othearman,
E. Stringer, Pm.. J. Emery, W. Platt. J. Klosz, Has'
hew, H. James, W. Cooper, J. Hill, T. Akery, H. Ridley,
Ltc.,
Mr. H. Billingham occupied the chair, and read the
notice calling the meeting, and also read letters of apo-
logy from the Rev. J. S. Bolder° and Mr. E. Sti inger,
Sen., both gentlemen being unavoidably absent. He
as an old tradesman, he rejoiced in taking part in a
crusade against late hours. Twenty years ago an on-
slaught was made agaiiisJ late hours of business, when
they were reduced to eight o'clock, which at that time
was considered a great boon—(cheers). The only thing
he regretted in connection with the early closing move-
ment was that it did not include Saturday night. He
called most earnestly upon the tradesmen of the district
to concede this great boon. As soon as they would re-
duce the hours of business on the four nights in the
week they would see that the customers would come
early. It might be said the movement would give better
facilities for the young men attending public-bouses and
places of amusement, but such would not be so in the
majority of instance, because during the ensuing winter
certain advantages would be presented to them for their
improvement—(cheers). He was glad to tell them that
the ladies of the district were exerting themselves in fav-
our of the movement—(cheers). It must be gained by
united action. He commended the spirit in which many
masters had conceded the nine hours' movement to their
workmen without any pressure—(applause).
Mr. T. Aker), moved the first resolution. "That in
the opinion of this meeting, it is desirable to close the
trade establishments in this town at seven o'clock on
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, aed Friday evenings.
lie said there were certain objections to the movement.
one was that assistants, as a body would not spend their
time profitably, but in going to places of amusement.
Ile denied this, and said that on the contrary they were
all very desirous of improving themselves, by availing
themselves of the classes conducted in connection with
the various institutious of the town and neighbourhood.

lie urged upon those present the desirability of making
their purchases at the shops at early hours. It had been
said that one hindrance to the movement was the thickly
populated district, but in many t wins and districts which
were more densely populated the shops were closed at a
ranch earlier hour than in their own town. He appealed
to the assistants to interest themselves in the mattir, and
not let it fall through—(cheers).
Mr. C. Blunsom, in seconding the resolution, said he
heartily agreed with the movement of early closing, and
thought it was a very fair demand on the part of the
young men. He did not think they could close on a Sat-
urday night yet, for before they could do so tlo.re must
be a more general system of payment of men's wages on
Fridays. He noticed that Messrs. Holliday mid Lewis,
Birmingham, who had adopted the seven o'clock move.
meat for some time, were now going to adopt the six
o'clock movement. The work was carried out very much
better when the shops were class dearly. The movement
was going through the breadth and length of the land.
The mechanic stood up for his rights, and he got them
The bankers' clerks and others left business early, and
instead of being found at the places of amusement.
availed themselves of the institutions which nen, ro-

vided for their improvement—(applause).
Mr. J. Fairfax (honorary secretary of.the Birmingham
Association, who attended as the deputation) next ad-
dressed the meeting. After referring to the meeting at
Birmingham on the previous evening, he said that the
movement was general throughout the whole kingtioni.
In all the large towns the matter was taken up with much
spirit. The mechanics were ahead of the assistants in
literary pursuits. At a recent distribution of the prizes
at Birmingham, there was not a single prize gained by
an ass:adult. Therefore, something ought to be done for
the assistants.—(Mr. Hill, grocer : •'Prove the necessity"
—(groaning and shouts of " Turn him out.") That
gentleman belongs to a family ; such opposition was in.
berited by all posterity from the dark ages—(laughter)
and he was anxious to hand it down to posterity.
Mr. Hill :_llon't point to me, address the Chairman.

Mr. Fairies : Then don't interrupt ns. After some
few further remarks, the speaker said he hoped they
would succeed in their object—(applause).
The resolution was then put to the meeting, and car.
fled unanimously.
Mr. H. Ridley moved the second resolution :—" That
in the opinion of this meeting, the cooperation of the
ladies will be required, and is respectfully solicited Sr
fawn of this movement." He raid they did not wish to
be harsh with the tradesmen. The principal cause if
late shopping in many instance. was because many ladies
made their purchases only a few minutes before closing