The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-12-18 00:00:00

SUNDAY LABOUR IN THE BAKING
TRADE.

At a mass meeting of master and journeymen
bakers, held at the Memorial Hall, Farringdon-street,
London, to protest against the increase of Sunday
labour and the way in which the law was administered
by the magistrates, Mr. W. J. Harris, late M.P. for
Poole, occupied the chair. The chairman said that
having been a member of Parliament be was not out
of place on that occasion, as a public man ought to
have a knowledge of all the interests connected with
trade. He was of opinion that working-men ought
to have a fair share of the profit they helpeo to
make, and also that as machinery had tended
to over-production, until consumption overtook
production, the hours of labour should be
reduced. To accomplish this either the workmen
of England should combine with the work-
men of other countries to shorten the hours of
labour, or a restriction must be put upon the supply
from foreign countries. He did not wish to raise
the question of free trade or protection. He believed
that the settlement of that question was in the hands
of working men, and would have to be decided by
them. He cordially sympathised with their move-
met for the abolition of Sunday labour. The law as I
it stood was a salutary one, and what was asked was
that the magistrates should put it in force irrespective
of race or nationality. He was for closing public.
houses on Sunday, and gentlemen's clubs so far as the ,
drink was concernei. With regard to the Act of
George 111., cap. 106, it was very distinct. No bread
was to be baked or delivered on Sunday, the penalty
for the first offence being 10s. for the second 205., and
for the third offence 405., half of the fine to be given
to the informer, the other half to the poor. The
only work allowed to be done was the baking of
dinners, which might be delivered up to half-past one
to persons living in the district. This Act they
wanted to be carried out. The journeymen bakers
were a harder worked body of men than any other,
and what he asked was that they might be able to
enjoy unbroken rest on the Saturday night. He
thought Jews ought to be made to conform to the law,
because through their agency, by taking them into
their employ, unscrupulous employers might break
the law. He would place the Jew on the same
terms as the Christian. They had a good cause
—the workmen ought not to be overtasked, and
should have one day in seven for rest. Six days' toil
and one day's rest was the wise ordination of the
Great Father, and on the ground of religion
and humanity they claimed their rights. (Cheers.)—
Mr. W. Austin moved, "That this meeting of em..
ployers and operative bakers strongly protest against
the undermining system of manufacturing bread on
Sundays, which is a pernicious practice introduced by
foreigners, who persist in defying the law, and our
English time-honoured custom of recognising ono
day's rest in seven from unnecessary toil a Divine
and humane institution, which had been honoured
since the dawn of histoiy. They are also convinced
that any violation of this sacred right must inflict a
great moral and physical wrong upon an already over-
worked class of men, and that as the baking of new
bread on Sundays is not necessary, but only pa idering ,
to a depraved greed on the one hand and luxury on
the other, it should be put down by every legitimate
means, as it serves no public interest." Mr. George
Howell, M.P., in seconding the motion, said he was
glad to be present to show his sympathy with the
anion in their endeavour to ameliorate the condition of
the journeyman bakers. He agreed that the law
thould be carried out, as it was an anomaly, to him
that the law should exist and not be enforced.
The resolution was carried unaniincusly. Mr. H.
Webb proposed "That this meeting condemns the
prejudiced and partial way in which London magis-
trates generally administer the Bread Act, and re-
zommend that the District Board should elect a com-
mittee, with power to obrain the assistance of in-
fluential men in the trade, and also metropolitan
members of Parliament, to organise a depute! lon to
the Home Semtary, urging upon him the enforce-
ment of the law prohibiting Sunday baking against all
her Majesty's subjects. It is also the opinion of this
meeting that all persons of whatever race should be
compelled to conform to the laws of the State which
affords them protection, and the same rights and pri-
vileges as its own freeborn subjects." This resolu-
tion was seconded and carried, and the proceedings
closed with the usual vote of thanks to the chair Jan.