The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-04-03 00:00:00

PRESENTATION DINN

On S itorday last about 123 glass makers cu:
Stourbthlge, with a few Birmingham ft ii
set down to ail execellent dinner at the boo so of
afe. Whitworth, Dial Inn, Andnain, on the ocea
sioa of presenting Mr. W. H. Packwood with a
testimonial for his services as local secretary of
this society during the last six years. The tes-
timonial consisted of a beautiful Spanish mahog-
any cheffioneer and lend:case, surmounted by a
silver plate bearing the following inscription
Presented to W. H. Packwood, by the mem-
bers of the Flint Glass Mekers' Society, Stoor-
bridge, District, as a tribute of respect fur his
valualde services as district secretary for the
term of six years, March 27:11, 1et.39." The
present was accompanied by um appropt bite ad-
dress. After the cloth was removed, Mr. R.
Jukes was called to Vie chair, and Mr. G. Nick-
tin to the vice-chair.
The former introduced the special busieess of
the S7Vi`Tlilig by a speech, in which lie adverted
to his long and intimate knowledge of Mr. Pack-
wood, who, as ui fellow-workinaa in the seine fee-
toi y, lie gave the highest credit to for hie honest,
straightforward, energetic worth, and seif-oscri-
flelmig It.
The Vice-Chairman having supported the
Chaiiumamt in the high opinion he entertained of
the gneet of the evening, wished all, and more
e-upeeielly the young men to take example from
Mr. Packwood's life and servioeui by improving
and fitting themselves for the aatue duties.
After Mr, T. Aston bad read the uffilrese, Mr.
j. Cuirtwright made the presentation. He said
that he did SO with much pieasnee, for he knew
that honour was being given where honour was
dee. It had been said by one of the meet Intel-
lieent working men of this country and age that
'• The life of the working man was a ceaseless
degradation, a daily martyrdom, a funeral pro-
cession to the grave." He deprecated that idea,
and instanced the present meeting as it refuta-
tion of such an assertion, and likewise of the
intelligent and ennobling ambition which dicta-
ted the aeknoeledgment by the glassmakers of
Stonteuridge, of the services of a loin of hopes
and aims, such as those of Mr. Packwood. He
urged upon all before hint the question which of
all others was of the highest importance to them
—that of a superior and more extensive educa•
tion in the trade, and whether employers as a
body wonld join them or not in this movement,
. the interests of the country at large as well as of
individuals demanded it, and it would be ob-
tained. No trade required art education more
than their own.
Mr. Packwood, in returning thanks for the
elegant present and the address which had been
made him, made a lengthy speech, in which he
complimented the Stourhridge district on hav-
ing each intelligent and earnest workers in the
cenee of progress as he observed on the emn.
mittee, sonic of whom he haul known and roe
pected even from boyhood's days, and witl,
nearly iii had he been constantly engaged in
ths trade's interest, and more especially that ol
this district. He ehould certainly never forget
that hour; and as previous speakers had ex-
pressed a hope, he could assure them that both
address and present would be a constant admon-
ition—if any admonition at all was needed—for
increased exertions and anxieties for the welfare
' of their trade and union. He claimed respect
• for the executive power of the society, and for
district officers, and hoped that no influence
may ever be allowed to destroy that respect and
confidence which has always been given to their
officers, and which is so essential for their gene-
ral well-being-
Mr. T. J. Wilkinson, central secretary, Bir-
mingham, in responding to the " Glass Trade,"
congratulated the society on its present peaceful
muutl finencial position, and the good understand-
ing which existed between employers and em-
ployed ; and was proud to know the general
. disposition was to improve until there became a
closer interest between the two parties, and a
thorough good understanding which he believed
would ultimately lead to the settlement of trade
disputes under a wiser system than resorting to
the barbarous one of strikes and lock-outs. In
his exemimition before the Royal Commission
on trade unions, which he characterised as being
composed chiefly of interested parties, who at i
the saute time belonged to one of the closest
uiona in existence, that their mode of enquiry
was one-sided and partial, more like a lawyer
putting questions to a criminal to obtain a eon-
vietian than judges exercising an impartial and
wigs discrimination to arrive at the truth. Often
three or four were asking questione on different
subjects at the same time, an I no time allowed
for reflection, while in reality it would have ta-
ken a man with as many voices to answer. It
was net so with the employers. Favourable
questions to their ouvu interests were put to
wain, aud time allowed to deliberate before an-
sweriug. He would not complain had both liar-
tics beet treated alike. He urged the trade to
work cautiously, as he believed trades' unions
would h•eve to enderge is severe trial durint the
lice:, five ; • ...u, and it was only by unity of no.
tion that tie slaahl hope to hold our own,