The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-08-17 00:00:00

THE WOMEN OF CUMBERLAND AND

THE PRICE OF MEAT.

A meeting of women, convened by placard, was held
on the Low Green, at Workington, Cumberland, on
Monday afternoon, "to take into consideration the
best means of bringing down the price of meat." A
mixed company of lads and women assembled, and the
proceedings are thus reported in a local paper :
After some show of shyness In opening the meeting, in
the usual formal way 3115. Gambles was unanimously
voted to the chair. this was borrowed for the occasion
from a neighbouring home. About 300 persons were pre-
sent, and the proceedings were conducted In a very noisy
manner. The Chairwoman urged the present necewity of
trying to do without meat for a month, and the calling of
another meeting for that day week to make further arrange.
manta. 'This having been avoided, the Chair woman Invited
" some of the gentlemen that uses the most beet to come
forward " and let them hear what they had to say. This
was the signal for a regular tumult. A man named Robson
was asked to mount the chair, but declined to do so. He
was at once seized amid general cheering, and it was
Mug-
gusted that he should be ducked in an adjoining beck. The
Chairwoman Interfered, however, by saying that she did
trot litame the butcher., the remark being certainly sag-
•-girstive that the luckless-Robeon belonged to the latter class.
3lrs. Phillips. a lively Cumberland dame, said she could do
meat for three months, and tb,y ou:ht to havo
prink: beef ad mutton at 61 and 71 per lb.
31rs. Garrett said that in her own house there were five of
them, and they bud all agreed to do without meat for four
months, or till it came down to 61. or 7d. per lb. She °Adel
arnll teat lour liter All those who are olihimtle to do Coo•
same let hem hold up tholr bands." A lame number of
hands memo u, amid goneral cheering} I. people
could boy meat at 61. or 71. per lb. they ought to be put
down. (Loud laughter.)

A female whose name did not transpire called out, "1
second that. Every one should stick out according as the
woman that spoke last said. Most is ridiculous -
cheers)--and any one that is seen buying a pound of meat
after this wet k will be called ((linen.)
Mr hlikett suggested Ind n and co-operation. Ally man
wh •in thee might select to carry on this business must be
stay Now, he liked a pint of ale as well as any man.
(Loud laughter.)
Here a scuttle took place among some of the persons in the
crowd. When order had been restored Mrs. Gibson called
out lidrrah for cheap meat. (Cheers Conic an here.
Sarah. laughter ) Let us stick to one another and
• We'll all feel gay when Johnny comes marching honie.'"
(Roars of laughter) :the suggested that any one who bought
meat before it went down in price should by met and the
meat taken from them. (Cheers.) .

Mr. Hobson attributed the high price of meat to the re-
strictions on the importation of foreign cattle. (Cries "Let
or live on poddish and milk."
A vote if thanks baring born accorded to the Chairwoman,
it was decided to hold another meeting next Mocilsy, to
solch only woman and Morten shoold be admitted. The
ititW ing separata d cith toe utnlcrstanding thst since of the
woinen present ShOsild purchase any meat during the present
we-k.