The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-06-01 00:00:00

THE NINE HOURS MOVEMENT AT THE

ROYAL ARSENAL

A meeting of workmen belonging to the Royal
Arsenal at Woolwich, numbering between two and
three thousand persons, was held on Plumstead-com-
mon on Saturday afternoon, to consider the propriety
of memorialising the Government for a reduction in
the hours of labour. The assembly would no doubt
have been much larger but for a division of opinion
which had grown up within the last few days among
the men themselves owing to a prevalent report, ap-
parently well authenticated, that the Government were
prepared at once to concede the nine hours, but
would at the same time abolish all privileges—these
privileges coneisting of five regular (and occasional
extra) days' holiday in the year, with pay. allowances
of half pay in sickness, and full-pay if injured, the
Saturday half-holiday, Sze Nine-tenths of the work-
men also are employed on piece-work, and many
dreaded the decrease of pay which would follow if the
bourn were reduced without the rate of payment being
augmented. Some opposition was therefore expected
at the meeting, but none appeared.
Mr. Alien, an iron-moulder, took the chair, and read
the memorial which it was proposed to present to the
Controller-in-Chief, praying for a reduction in the
hours of labour from ten to nine per day, and six on
Saturdays, with an advance of 10 per cent, on piece-
work where necessary. He also read a letter from Sir
David Salomon& one of the borough members, who
pronounced the memorial judiciously worded, and
promised to support it. The Chairman said they were
anxious to avoid the appearance of dictation or coercion,
and that the idea of a strike never entered their minds.
They only asked to put in the same position as their
fellow-workmen throughout the country, and no one
could blame them for asking that.
Mr. Lucas, an engineer, moved the adoption of the
memorial ; and raid that previous to the introduction
of the nine hours system the arsenal men worked sfi
hours per week, which was supposed to place them on
a level with the men in private yards, who, though
they worked 5( hours, had higher wages. The hours
of labour had now been generally reduced to 54 per
week, being 4,i less per week ; and all they asked the
Government for was five hours, to place them on the
same footing, their wages and all other conditions re-
maining as at present. This concession was neces-
sary for the physical and mental improvement of the
men, but more especially of the boys, in order that
they might have time for rest, recreation, and study
so that they might successfully compete with the
skilled workmen of foreign countries.
Mr. W. M'Cuhry, a storehohler in the Control De-
partment, seconded the resolution, saying that the
natural division of the day was eight hours for work,
eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for sleep.
Mr. Lloyd Jones then addressed the meeting, stating
that the nine hours movement was a necessary conse-
quence of the increased demand for labour, and that
the workman was bound to sell it on the best terms he
could demand. He would not consider the matter of
wages at present; the matter of time was of far more
importance, for by reducing the time they removed
part of the commodity out of the market, and no in-
creased its value. If they lessened the hours, wages
must rise. (Cheers.)
Mr. Baxter Langley was the next speaker, and read
a letter from Professor Beesly, who sympathised with
the movement, and said that the State workshops
ought to be patterns for all the private establishments
to follow. Mr. Langley expressed an opinion that the
memorial would be (,'ranted, and urged the workmen
not to be afraid of sinking because Government might
take away a holiday or two and certain privileges which
they could buy cheaper of the Odd Fellows and
the Foresters. (Cheers.)
The Rev. G. Webb, of Plumatead Tabernacle, alas
addressed the meeting in support of the resolution,
which was then carried almost unanimously.
Mr. Pearce, engineer, of the Royal Laboratory, in
moving a vote of thanks to the speakers, said that the
Liberals always advocated the cause of the working
classes, and this memorial would put &Liberal Govern-
ment to the test, He should be glad to see sick pay
abolished if they had a proportionate increase of wages,
for then the Government would perhaps do sway with
the disgusting ordeal of "panning the doctor." (Cheers.)
But as the Government paid less wages than private
' firms, they might fairly ask for this concession of time
' without any loss of pay or privileges.
The vote of thanks was passed, and the meeting
was then brought to a conclusion.