The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-11-02 00:00:00

THE STOURBRIDGE OBSERVER.

MEETING OF MINERS AT OLD_ HILL.

On Wednesday night a largely attended meeting
of miners was held at the Duke William Inn, Old
Hill, for the purpose of further consideration of the
wages and house question. Mr. John Allport, Brier-
ley Hill, occupied the chair, and observed that he
differed from Mr. Brittain, who as reported in he
Daily Gazette, had been endeavouring to make miners
believe that tliey were not suffering so much from
foreign as home competition. Ile (the speaker) be-
lieved it was true they were suffering from home com-
petition' but he maintained they were also suffering
a.:great deal from foreign competition. Mr. Brit-
tain, in proof of his assertions, had quoted statistics
from the Board of Trade returns, wad tried to show
that the coal trade of this district was not affected.
But according to the Board of Trade returns from
1872 down to the present time there had been a
gradual decline in the annual exports of Great
Britain from £250.000.000, down to ..2134,000,000,
which she ',red a decrease during the lass six years
of 116.000,000. It should also have been stated
that during the same period the exports of
Germany, America, and France had been increasing;
and it was ascertained that the exports from America
tip to last June were the largest known in any cr -
responding period in the United States. This was,
he thought, a most important:question, which should
commend itself to working men, that whilst English
exports had decreased other nations had been on
the increase. That was indisputable proof that this
country suffered from the effects of foreign compe-
titeon. Speaking of the tariff upon English
exports, he considered it a subject which should be
brought to the front. Whilst other countries sent
their goods into this country free, a tariff from 7i-
to 20 per cent, was imposed upon English manufac-
tures, and he had heard that in some cases it
amounted to as much as 125 per cent—(cries of
"Shame "). They should set themselves to remedy
this evil by agitating for the removal of this tax
upon English goods, or else insist upon an equal tax
being imposed upon the goods coming from other
countries in England. He looked upon the intro-
duction of the tonnage system as the best remedy
for the existing evils, and he considered it would be
the best thing that could be done for the coal trade
as it would do away with the middleman or butty.
He felt sure the question would come up before
long, and he had every confidence as to the result.
—The following resolution was carried :—'.That in
the opinion of this meeting unionism is the only
safeguard against the encroachments upon our
privileges,
and we pledge ourselves to support the
same, and to resist any attempt to increase our
working hours."

DRIINIIHNNEss.—Jatnes Harris, chainmaker, was
charged with being drunk at Lemey Town, Cradley
Heath, on the 22nd nit. The case was proved by Police-
constable Parkes and a fine of is and costs was imposed.
—Ned Baker, ehainmaker,
.was charged with a similar
offence, by police-constable Gaskin was fined 2s 6d and
costs, in default seven days' imprisonment.—James
Morris, miner, of Cradley Heath, was charge with a
similar offence by Police-constable Gaskin and was fined
2s gd and costs, in default seven days' hard labour.—
James Evans, who was charged by Police-constable
Hicklin with being drank, at Waterfall Lane, on the
17th tilt, was fined is ausi-costs.—James Adams and
James Fletcher were fined each 2s 6d and costs, in de-
fault seven days' imprisonment for drunkenness.—
Both the offences were proved by Police-constable
Frost.
MAGISTRATES WANTED.—Several cases requiring two
magistrates to adjudicate upon were adjourned till next
week as Mr. B. HingleY was the only magistrate in
attendance.
_ . .

--------
AN EVENING BEVERAGE.—Eppa's Cacitoine (Quint
essence of Cacao) is equally liquid and refreshing as tea
affording moreover a sterling support to the system
Unsweetened. each packet (6d.) is labelled "JAMES
EPPS & Co., llommopathic Chemists, London." Sold
in Stourbridge, by A. 1), Morris, Chemist; and J. H.
Bland, Chemist.