The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-09-04 00:00:00

Birmingham, Thursday
To day, however, an important step was
taken in the direction of peace. A general u.tet-
ing of the South Staffordshire iron trade specially
convened to consider the situation, was held in
the banqueting room of the 1- xchange; Mr.
Runt, of the New B. i:ish Irtm Cumpauy, in the
chair. The whole question at issue between men
and tlii.ir employers was discussed, and the dif-
tlcnty of completely ashi:eilating the conditions
of work in South Staffordshire to those which
prevail in the North was explained. Ultimately,
the following resolutions were carrien by a large
majority :-
1. That the notice given on August 7th be
maintained—that is, fixing 9s. per ton for pud-
dling, and a reduction of 5 per cent from mill-
men's wages.
2. That, owing to the dissolution of the Con-
ciliation Board, the committee have been un-
able to arrive at a conclusion on the subject of
the alleged diserspancies ; and the enaployen
now sanction individual arrangements with the
puddlers for an extra sum, not exceeding 6d. per
ton, to cover the said discrepancies.
The effect of these resolutions will be to re-
atom puddlers to their old rate of wages, i.e., Os.
ed. per tan, in all eases where they cannot come
to terms with their employers about the trolly-
lug or other extras in which the Northern pud-
dlers are believed to have an advantage over
those of South Staffordshire. In the case of
the millmen and other ironworkers whose wages
have been reduced five per cent., no such com-
mutation or compensation is considered neces-
sary, as no difficulty is apprehended in arriving
at a settlement of the" extras'' so far as they
are concerned. Assuming the correctness of
this view all cause for discontent should now be
removed, and the mass meetings of the men
convened for Saturday and Monday to consider
the difficulty will scarcely be needed to bring
about a general reconciliation. It is not un
likely that the Conciliation Board will be
reconstructed on a new basis so as to ensure the
representation of non-union as well as union
men, unassociaeted as well as association mas-
ters. In that case the functions of the Board
would in all probability be confined to the regu-
lation of wages, and its controlling power would
extend over the whole trade, instead of being
confined, as at present, to a small group of se-
lected firms. In the present instance, of course.
the resolutions of the association are binding
only upon the members. Non-association firms
will be at liberty to make what terms they please
or can with their workpeople, as many of them
have already done.
Among the non-association firms there appears
to be a strong feeling of :opposition to the propo-
sal to assimilate the privileges of South Stafford-
shire ironworkersto those of the North of England
and the feeling is very general that the reduction
lately arranged was dearly purchased on such
terms. In many cases, indeed, that reduction is
entirely ignored, and the men are engaged at the
old rate without July reference to new privileges
or extras. Owing to the improvement of demand
caused partly by the apprehension of an impend-
ing strike, and partly by the advance of the autumn
shipping season, prices of common iron are some-
what stiffer. Unmarked bars which were procur-
able a week or two ago at a fraction under £B., are
now Arm at .£B. 55., though some bars of inferior
quality are still obtainable as low as .e 7 15e. Com-
mon sheet singles range from £l.l upwards. The
demand for sheets both from home and export is
active, and galvanised iron also is in brisk request
Boiler plates, on the other ham; ire comparatively
neglected. The pig-iron market is by no means
active; but owing to the recent curtailment of
production prices are steady. Hot blast native
all-mine is quoted £4 ss. to £4 10s., cold-blast £6.
and cinder-pig ..£2. 12s. 6d. to £3. There are now
only seventy-one furnaces in blast in this district.
Coed is easy, but nominally unchanged, at 16s. for
best, lls, for furnace, 10s. for lumps, and 3s. 6d.
for slack.