The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-07-10 00:00:00

THE NAILERS' STRIKE.

A meeting of neilmikerf took piece on Monday morn.
ing It, near the Golden Cro,,e Inn, Old Hill, and in
point of nurphere far exceeded any which has yet been
held, showing that a deep impreaeion had been made on
the nailem of the neighbourhood by the Vldlt of seine of
the member. of the Ooplutjtjec

Mr. Jos. Tibbetta, of Old Hill. who presided. said it
was with feelings of delight that he flaw so many present,
liecause they had stuck to the promim they had given,
and mime there that morning to declure that they were
determined to strike and help their Bromegrove broth.
ran. Let them take (tonnage and make up their minds
to win, and they were certain to summed. It was certain
that the 'Wien.' condition Milo a moat lamentable one.
Fur a long time lie had been going down hil. hut, all was
not loot yet. He trusted that not one of them would to.
some work till he was paid the 2Us to the pound they
were striving for--(luud cheers). They !owl suffered
enough to Mujast drive them to diatractiou, mei if some
nt them ware to Mate the monis is which they hat
I ved during the last twelve months. and the [Maeda, and
privations they had endured, he wile sure it would kindle
a feeling of pity in the stoutest heart but be thoucht
that owing to the courtesy and instrumentality of the
prese—(cherre(—their position was pretty well under.
stood, and sub,riptions were frequently coming irs from
all quarters—Joint cheers). In conclusion he urged
them to maintain peace end order through the struggle
they were engaged in. fir it was only by so doing that
they could expect the to ineathy and help of the public—
(cheer.).
Mr. JOS. Hackett mid he felt ceetein that if the f. qt.
gers " were compelled to give up the trade, that the WOO-
ters would give better wages and find good iron—(loud
cheers). He was aware that they had the sympathy of
the masters even during the present struggle, for they
knew us well so the tinders did that &hinge had now come
to such a pass that they must either strike or starve.
The least a nailer ought to have was 20s in the pound,
and he thought that if any master wanted to bring she
price lower than that, a strike should ensue—lhear,
hear). They did not wont to strike. but unforturnately
they were obliged to. Let them take courage and go on
their way rejoicing. and least in the Lord for the result
—(loud cheers).
Mr. Henry Inee (one of the Bromagrove Committee
of Nailer.) said it gave him great pleasure to see so
many of the Old Hill, Rowley Regis, and Dudley mailers
present. It was a very important matter that had brought
them together, and he trusted (list ere long the condition
of the smilers would be is good that of any other class
of British workmen. He was extremely glad to see that
the Staffordshire men had come out in such numbers to
help them to tight the battle, and he now felt certain
they should win the day—(applause). The numbhr pre•
sent showed him plainly that all animosity towards the
Bromsgrove brethren was now forgotten and forgiven—
He was not aware that there had ever been any difference
worth mentioning; it was only a little misunderstanding.
What the Bromsgrove men wanted was 20a to the pound ;
and though he thought that the nailers were quite en-
titled to 224 to the pound, yet he thought they would
have to be satisfied with the 20s, and, by the help of
God, they would have the 20e to the pound, or they would
not work at nailing again. If the nail trade would not
pay 20e to the pound, it was time they looked out for
some other trade that would.

A proposition was then put that no more nails should
be made until the masters paid the men 20s to the pound.
Thin was carried by an overwhelming majority At least
1,500 persons were present at the meeting. We are told
that donations for the relief of the Indere are much
needed, and we state with pleasure that contributions
will be thankfully received by Jos. Tibbetts and Jos.
Hackett, at Old Hill.