The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-08-02 00:00:00

MINERS DEMONSTRATIONS.

On Monday afternoon the tenth annual demonstra-
tion of the District Miners' Association was held it
Wigan. The general appearance of the men, who
numbered about 7,000 from over 140 lodges, was
strikingly in advance of what it has been on f Finer cc
canione. The annual demonstration has usually been
held in the month of September, and the reason for
holding it earlier this year was to give additional weight
to the attendance of the men in reference to the
weighing clause under the Mines Regulation Act,
which cams into operation on the let of August, and a
postponement of which is sought by the employere.
The men marched in procession through the princi-
pal streets of the borough, accompanied by bands of
music. An enthu.iaatic meeting was afterward, held
on the market-ground ; Mr. William Pickard, district
miners' agent, presiding. Addresses were delivered
by Messrs. Thomas Halliday, President of the
Amalgamated Miners' Association, Isaac Cowlick,
miners' agent, Merthyr Tydvil ; Robert Laois,
miners' agent, St. Helens; William Atkinson,
of Burnley,; William Wogan, and others. Re-
solutions were maimed recommending the men
not to take upon themselies the responsibility
of propping the roof and sides of the working places, in
condemnation of the mutilation to which the Payment
of Wages and Truck Bill was subjected by the Select
Committee, and entreating Government to re-introduce
the bill in its integrity. Toe meeting pledged itself to
egoist in carrying a measure making it compulsory
for employers to pay wages allkikly in the current
coin, without any deductions therefrom for any pur-
pose whatever. The meeting also aak..l for the repeal
of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, as far as re-
lates to the so-called conspiracies of tTitionista, and
pledged itself to support the political action and party
which in this and other meaeures of justice to labour
honestly endeavour to promote the true interests of the
working classes. It was also resolved to petition the
Home Office, praying that the extension of time sought
by the employers with regard to the operation of the
weighing clauie be not granted The meeting urged
upon the employers in the district to co-operate in the
formation of a Board of Conciliation and Arbitration.

One of the largeit meetings of colliers ever known in
the Northern counties was held at Barnsley on
Monday, on the occasion of the annual demonetr lion
of the South Yorkshire Miners' Association. Among
those who took part in the proceedings were Mr. S.
Plimsoll, M.P. (to whose Defence Fund the Ass°.
cietion recently granted £1,000); Mr. J. Tyaa, ex-
Mayor of Barnsley; Mr. Moore, ex-Mayor of Shad-
field; and Councillor Aitchison, Sheffietd.
At twelve o'clock all assembled in an open space
known as the Church-field, &haat 30,000 persons being
present. A procession was then formed, and the entire
body of men, all well dressed and wearing rosettes,
mszched to the Cbeen's.grounds, where a public meet-
ing was held. There were two platforms for the
speakerd, the first being presided over by Mr. J. ryas,
one of the proprietors of the Edo:mods Main and
Swaithe Main Collieries, and the other by Alderman
Moore, of Sheffield. The resolutions passed at both
were identicaL At the No. 1 platform Mr. Tyne briefly
opened the proceedipgs, and then called upon Mr.
Norm inset), one of the secretaries, to addrees the as-
eemblage. The following resolutions were agreed to :
"1. Having heard the repert of the general accrete'', on
the amount of funds exp. rded during the past year and the
'mount of funds invested, tesether salt the stxt,ruent on the
present position of the tssuclation tho meeting acceo,s
the report &MI statement with entire esti. fec.,om and
rejoices to hear of the greet extension and moans+ the
O•s. Motion has made since the last annual bothering of
into,'

3 "lhat ale meeting tech highly gratified to hear that
Do sink ,or lot ittont exist, bt any contery in the South Y
attire utattict ; it rej tices at flu good tooling tnat pw.raile
between the colliery proprietor., m.nagert, awl
hnit cop,. Bees a hope that the same may be continued and
huproted."

3. " That, prev'bias to at y ' strik.," restriction, or ' lock-
out ' beli g resorted to, this meetiog strongly recommend
einplu}ers nod embloyed to refer tile 'batter In dispute to
arottrallen, La the South l'orksblre Miners' Council have
learnt by experience that It hi toe best mode of gettlins die
tutes, and s, ould alem• be adopted before any etoppage of
•le Occur."

work

4. That this meeting, seeing little has been done by the
House of Comm .us during the pert Seeslon to repeal the
Criminal Lew Amendment Act, or alter the raw. minting to
conspiracy, strongly urger upon the iliverurnent the neeemlty
in lime suer. aiterations as sh.di give to every Trades'
Unionist the same liberty of meeting. speaking, and acting
upon any question stfectirg his interest as la given to every
other class it member of (ho community."
6. Test this meeting, taking a deep interest in the move.
melt minis by Mrs S. Plimsoll, *P., itt the cense of the
merchant 5e1111113,., phdpe Moil Cr continue Its pacm,i,,y7
aud moral support until an Act be missed that will give cur
merchant same, every protec.iou postibe while following
thel itsugerous occopation."

6. " That this meeting tenders its warmest thanks to Mr.
S. Plimsoll, 11. P., t r the very able and philanthropic efforM
he haa Made, and is making, on behalf ot the long.negiected
seamen, and eipresses a hope that his tftnts will be crowned
with success.-