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

MEETING AT HALESOWEN.

On Monday afternoon last • meeting in connection with
the above strike took place in the Bull Ring, Halelowen.
There was a large attendance.
Mr. Joe. Price. who presided, said they had met to
consider a matter of great consequence to their friends
as Bromegrove and Old Hill. He thought, however,
there could be but one conclusion, and that was to go on
strike, because the miseries and privations they had en-
dured forced this step upon them. It was not a very
enviable one to take, neither was it their wish to take it,
but, unfortunately, they were compelled to take it, or go
to the workhouse—(bear, hear). As they well knew the
nail trade was in a most miserable, languid etate, line in-
stead of getting better it was gradually getting worse. It
was nothing Lot right that a nailer should be paid by the
64 list, which was 20s to the poond—(hear, hear)—and
he trusted they would that day come to the same conclu-
sion as their Old Hill and Rowley Regis brethren had
arrived at, and determine not to atrike another blow un-
til they had obtained the 20. to the pound—(hear. hear).
They all knew well that if this course of action was not
imperatively necessary, be should be the last to advise a
strike ; but, unfortunately, it was the only step they could
take, and he felt certain that if they would all combine
together, the strike would soon he ovrr, and it glurions
vicory won—(.ll,oBn , .
Mr. Henry Ince ,une of the ltr-m-wote Cols miner
of Smilers) also addressed the meeting, urging the men
at Halesowen to mike a strong effort to better the c 0...•
• dition of their
.wives and families.

Abraham A.,llfield (another of the Brorro.grove Cow-
rogue of N. il-rs) said there was no doubt that they ha

fairly 6nm-hod int.' 11 .tr zee will, their masters. and Ty
nnite nail concord thee woeld win the dee but if. on
the other hand. they were not all determined, the dribs
would he ennsiderable nroloneed, and perhaps nltirestele
the victory would be gained butt.. waders. Front whet
he could see of the matter, they would be just 41 MAI of
if they went on strike s if thee continued to work I.
the sum. miserable manner they had for some time
been doing. It would be quite an impossibility for them
to be in a worse condition than they were at the present
time—(henr. he.). At Bromogrove they had now V... 11
on strike sin week*, and he thought himself that they
were better off now than they were when they finwtneneed
the strusgle. They need not look upon • strike es such
a dreadful thine. Help would come from some (inset..
' they mifht rest assured. Money. lie was happy to say,
I erau still coming in from all quarters—(applatise).
snnther of the Browser°. Committee of
I Mr. Iro,u what they had beard
Nailer.) said he felt - folly coneineed
from the previous speaker, that thee we... •url r.•
that a strike in Halesowen was really tweeter, '
quisite—hlear. hear). He, therefore, earnestly lefiee,
they were folly convinced, and would come oat to a mac
The sooner they betrau to strike the sooner it would be
over, and if they would fully consider the benefits to be
derived from a Victory they would not need any per..
aloe to melte them strike. He felt certain that the strike
would not long continue. lad it woali only be endurieg
I • small amount of tronbte to en.. • large dere of
happineas, and waking their wives and families comfort,
able and happy—(applause).

Kr. William Brett...ll lone of the Helemowen Compile
toe of Wailers) said they had beard • great deal of Infer.
mation that day, and he trusted they would well coneklev
it, and shortly come to an amicable conclusion. They
must all remember that in Raleilowen they did not tisnetly
stand in the some uncomfortable position with their mu.
lets as their Bromism-we friends—(hese. beset—for to
Halesowen the greater part of their work vas very dif-
ferent to that made in Bromsgrove. The question for
them to consider was whether by striking they would
amidst the cloue of the Bromsgrove men without coasid
: ershly injuring themselves. He would not influents,
them in the slightest manner, but would willingly fall in
Iwith the unanimous view of the meeting. This wee a
very important question. and required great consideration
Lir the conclusion which they arrived at must he ettictly
; earried out. They would have to consider what they
! would gain by a strike, and alio whet they would lON.
He could not plainly ace what intluence the strike at
Bromagrove could have over them. If they made the
cerise kind of nails as they did at Bromagrove he should
earnestly advise them to strike. but, as they did not, he
I strongly advised them to earnestly consider whether or
Sot that by striking they would do themselves a great
I deal of harm. without in any way helping the sense of
I the Brosusgrove men—(heer, hear). They had felt nom*
fearful strikes in that weightnierhood, and they were not
so pleasant. Some of them bed never thoroughly got
over the last strike, and the miseries they then endured
would he long remembered amongst them. He thought
it would be a great pity for them to strike if they could
I manage without it. Let them think of their Wife. curd
I families, their homes and themselves, and endeavour,
whichever any the meeting decided, to do their duty—
(hear, bear).

Mr. Henry Inee then propcwed that no more work
ahould be dune until the masters paid the men 20e to the
pound.
. . .

s
This was seconded by a person pedant; but on being
pat to the meeting, a few girls only put op their bands,
all the men preserving a strict silence.
On Tuesday the men went to work as usual.

CORRESPONDENCE.
We 'ieh it to be distinctly iinderstood doe by insert in,
letters in this cola inn , ore do not thereby Pkntity ourselves
with the opinions of our Correspondents.