The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-11-03 00:00:00

THE STOURI3RIDGE OBSERVER

THE INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES
EXHIBITION.
At the International Fisheries Exhibition on Satur-
day the principal portion of the day was devoted to a
conference which enabled the practical knowle•: e on
the part of those seituady connected with our fisheries
and their requirements to he fully diseu,sed. The
conference was a continuation of one which haet been
opened on the previous day, in which fishermen them-
selves were invited to take part.
Mr. Edward Birkbeck, M.P., who occupied the
chwr, in opening the proceedings said the question first,
to be tae-en into consideration was that of railway
rates. The subject was easy and simple as compared
with the matter discussed on the previous day, but it
was, nevertheless, of vital importance to the fisher-
men and to the country also. He had constantly
heard it remarked by fishermen, that it was no use
sending fish t ) London and other large towns, in
consequence of the exeestive rates they had to pay.
He had been startled to see in how many cases that
which ought to go to the fishermen really went to the
railways. He believed there were those present who
would state that not only had it occurred constantly
that there was no return at all to the fishermen, but in
some instances they had aetually had to pay a balance
of excess. There must he some remedy for this, an
he thought all they need ask from the railways was
fair play and justice. It was not a question alone for
the fishermen. If the supply of fish was to be in-
creased to London and other large towns, the railways
would have to meet the fishing interest in a fair and
reasonable way. He hoped some representatives of
railway companies were present, so that they might
give their version to the question. They would pro.
bably say that they could not be expected to convey
fish by express trains at the low rates which the
fishermen asked. He thought if the railways took the
matter into favourable consideration they would find
that their income from the carriage of fish would
largely increase.
A long and somewhat animated discussion followed,
in the course of which the Duke of Edinburgh said—
Mr. Chairman, Ladies, and Gentlemen,—The subject
now before you is one which I regard as of the
greatett importance both to the fishermen and to the
consuming community ; but it is a subject to which
I have not given special or particular attention, and
I did not allude to it in my paper read at
the opening of these conferences. The subject
which I should have liked more especially to have
had an opportunity of saying a word or two upon
will come on later, and I regret to say that another
engagement will not allow me to remain—l mean the
better means for prevention of loss of life at se % I
feel it would he a great thing if this conference, by the
resolution which is shout to be proposed, can do some-
thing to bring about a reduction of the rates, by which
the profit to the fishermen may be increased and the
price of fish reduced to the consumer.
The follo.ving resolution was passed unanimously:
—" That this conference having heard the disastrous
and destructive effect upon the fishing industries of
the United Kingdom through the excessively high
charges of the railways, which prohibit the distribu.
tiun of good wholesome fish throughout the country
at a cost within the reach of the poorer classes, is of
unanimous opinion that some pressure should be
brought to bear upon the Railway Commissioners,
and that Mr. Birkbeck, M.P., be requested to forward
this resolution to the Commissioners."
The subjects of "Better Means for Prevention of
Loss of Life at Sea," and "Harbour Accommoda-
tion," were discussed together, when several speakers,
while dwelling upon the importance of making every
provision for the safety of fishermen, expressed
opinions that the absence of proper harbour accom-
modation was in some cases responsible for toe loss of
many lives ; while, at the same time, defective har-
bours restricted the fishing operations on many parts
of the coast.
In the result the following resolutions were adopted:
—"That, in view of the great want of harbour accom-
modation along the coast, we pray that the Govern-
ment will without delay carry out the recommenda-
tion of the Royal Commission in order to pre-
vent the continuance of the existing state of things,
which is injuring a great industry, and at the same
time filling the newspapers with accounts of terrible
loss of life at sea," and "That the large number of
fishermen who are annually lost by drpwning around
the British Islands, and most notably in the N.,rth
Seas, demands that the attention of the Government
should be called to the matter, and that it should take
Immediate eteps to institute an exhaustive inquiry
into the various causes, and to ascertain what means,
If any, can be devised to prevent, or at least diminish,
the same if possible."
The Congress closed with a vote of thanks to Mr.
Birkbeck for presiding.

loud applause, and delivered the opening speech. He
said that he accepted the honour conferred upon him
as a compliment to the country to which he belonged.
He congratulated his fe:low Delegates of the various
countries on this the first attempt at milting the
thoughts of the wormen of all countries upon
the protection of their common interests, and he
earnestly hoped that united practical action wonld
result at no distant day. Every day the necessity for
such aci-ion became more pressing. By railways, steam-
ehip', tunnels, and telegraphy, the employing easees
were provided with facilities never before ere
joyed for the furtherance of their interests, and it
was, theref-re, necessary that the labouring classes of
the world should place themselves in such nrimuni-
cation with each other as would prevent them injuring
their own interests to the advantage of the capitalists.
He would give them an instance of what he meant. A
short time ago there was a strike in the building trade,
with which he was c mnected, and this was quite de-
feated by the importation of a host of workmen from
Germany. One of their objects must be to provide
means against an occurrence of that kind. On that
occasion not a single Frenchman came over to fight
against the interests of his English brethren, and
he was assured that on no future occasion would
they do so. Mr. Broadhurst then paid a warm
compliment to the liberality and fairness of the Eng-
lish Press. The great journals of England, he said,
fully and fairly reported all that labour bad to say
either from a poli!ical or social point of view, and thus
provided it with an audience which no special organ
that might b 3 established could command. In Eng-
land the lab miring classes had made during the past
twenty years more progress than during any previous
period. They were directly represented upon Town
Councils, upon Schoal Boards, Local Boards, and had
even returned three men belonging to themselves to
the Imperial Parliament. This progress was a pledge
to the triumphs in store for them in the future, pro-
vided they continued the campaign on the same lines as
they had followed hitherto. Their method might be a
slow one, but it was sure and steadfast He enured
his French bearers that they would have the
hearty support of the Trades Unions of England in
their attempts to obtain an ameliorated labour legisla-
tion. In conclusion, Mr. Broadhurst dwelt upon the
great injury caused to the interests of the labouring
classes by the tremendous armaments maintained by
the various European nations, and proposed, as one of
the objects of international working class cooperation,
the reduction of the same. He ardently wished that
the present gathering in the great capital of civilisation
and progress would vault in practical good to the
working men of the world. (Loud applause).
A resolution was unanimously adopted condemning
the "colonial and financial" schemes which led to
wars among nations, and retarded their peaceful deve-
lopment.

THE EARTHQUAKES IN ASIA MINOR.

Writing from Tschesmeh, on Monday, the Special
Correspondent of the Daily News gives some part,.
culars of the Cl4tress caused by the recent earthquakes
In Asia Minor. We make the following extracts
therefrom :

I have jost returned from inspecting, in company
with the Sultan's Aide•de-Camn and suite, the entire
district visited by the earthquakes.

At least thirty small towns and villages have been
destroyed or rendered uninhabitable. The fall extent
of the disaster has only been revealed now by this
inspection. I have stated the case to Smyrna and
Constantinople, and urged immediate relief on a large
scale.

In addition to the towns and larger villages many
small hamlets and isolated houses have been destroyed,
and many more persons killed and wounded than was
stated In the Turkish official figures.

Pourlah, a town of about thirty thousand inhabit
ants, has suffered severely. Several houses have been
thrown down, and nearly eight hundred rendered un•
inhabitable. Most of the population are camped out.
A doz.n villages near Vourlah are destroyed or are
uninhabitable.

The relief organized by the Turks is good ofits kind,
but is altogether inadequate. Tents and material for
bedding, and shelter for upwards of 80,000 persons
ruined and homeless, are most urgently required, with
workmen to construct houses. The Britteh Admiral
and the commanders of the two Greek war-ships have
offered material and workmen, but the Governor-
General here has refused the offer by nrder of his
superiors. These is great jealousy on the part of the
Turks of soy interference. The Turks have forwarded
two shiploads of food and material, with carpenters,
frcm Smyrna, and another similar ship from Octhstan-
tinople. Suleyman Bey, the aide•cle camp, has tele-
graph to the Sultan an exact account of the situation.

_ _
The scenes I witnessed during my recent tour were
heartrending. Relief must be extended on a larger
and better basis. Foreign aid is absolutely required.
The news of the Lord Mayor's Relief Fund has caused
general satisfaction, and stirred up the Turks to
gi.eater exertions. The distribution of the London
relief must be entrusted to competent persons who
know the most urgent wants of the respective locali-
ties. I shall be glad to be of use. A few tons of old
flannels and cast-off male and female clothing and
blankets would be of inestimable service, many of the
aufforers being partially naked, having lost all. Three
or fur volunteer doctors could do much good. Hap-
pily no fresh shocks have occurred since Friday, when
a slight one was felt in several places, but the strongest
was at Vourla.