The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-05-29 00:00:00

THE SHOP HOURS REGULATION BILL

The Select Committee to whom the Shop Hours
Regulation Bill was referred have agreed to the fol-
lowing special report:
As the evidence submitted to your committee has
extended to considerable length, they have thought it
desirable to draw attention to the leading points of
the statements made by the witnesses. Of the wit-
nesses examined, 12 were assistants called to prove the
length of hours • 21 have spoken on behalf of various
associations in different parts of the country; 21 were
representative traders called by the supporters of the
bill; five were inspectors of factories; 14 were traders
called by different members of the committee; and
two were medical men.
Your committee are agreed that the practice of
keeping open shops until a late 11,, ur of the evening
prevails extensively; that while shops used by the
wealthier classes generally close
,at a comparatively
early hour, in neighbourhoods where the shops are
frequented by the working classes they are kept open
until very late, especially on Saturday. It follows
that in such cases all the persons employed, including
young persons, must be kept on their feet for a great
many hours, and that where shops are crowded and
ill-ventilated, such prolongei labour must be exhaust-
ing and often injurious to health, especially in the case
of girls.
• Your committee have had evidence that in whole-
sale warehouses the packing and entering clerks are
often detained till very late at night, especially at the
busy seasons. The apartments in which the work is
carried on in the departments mentioned are often
underground, and even in the daytime lighted by
gas. In those departments, too, apprentices and
other young men are commonly employFd, and the
work of this description, if so iprolonged, your com-
mittee can readily believe to be exhausting and in-
jurious.
Again, your committee find, that in shops to which
work-rooms are attached, young persons, who could
not be employed in the latter beyond the statutory
, hours of the Factory and Workshop Act, are called
upon to serve after their tasks in the work-rooms have
been finished. Your committee have introduced into
the bill a provision designed to put an end to this
; practice.
' It appears to be very common for the employed, and
perhaps especially the apprentices and young persons,
to be detained for some time after the shops have
been closed to customers, to clear up, put away the
goods, and to pack up articles purchased; and in
many cases these young persons have to come earlier
in the morning than the others to prepare the shop's
for the day's work.
The great majority of witnesses expressed their
opinion that though voluntary action had effected
much improvement, little could be expected from it
in the poorer neighbourhoods, and that nothing short
of legislation would be effective,
Under these circumstances, it is not surprising that
strong testimony has been given in support of the bill
referred to your committee.
A widespread desire has also been expressed by
grown-up persons employed in shops, that in some
way their labours also may be limited by law; and
your committee believe that employers are not in-
disposed as a rule to such limitation, provided that it
takes the form of general early closing of shops.
On this subject the witnesses generally expressed
their opinion that the variety of circumstances/attend
ing trade, locality, and custom, are such that,. any
regulation of retail trade would be practicable only by
local authority, after having been set in motion by
the traders themselves.

Your Committee have evidence that, in many loca-
lities, the desire of the great majority of shopkeepers
to close early has .been frustrated by the dissent of
some few individuals; while in many cases the large
establishments are induced to keep their doors open
longer than they otherwise would do, for fear of
their customers being diverted to smaller shops in
the same trade.

Your Committee did not consider themselves em-
powered to consider any measure for the compulsory
closing of shops; but they did not decline to receive
such evidence, because it bore directly upon the
question of the practicability and usefulness of the
propodal to limit the hours of service of young per-
sons in shops.
The witnesses who were in favour of a compulsory
closing generally expressed a willingness to accept the
bill as a step in the right direction, and because it
might tend to shorten the hours of service of the em-
ployed, and to promote the earlier closing of shops.
There was a concurrence of opinion that if any
limitation were placed upon the hours of employment
of young persons or upon those during which shops
may be kept open, there must be some relaxation
upon certain days, as on Saturday, . and the eves of
holidays. Suggestions were made by many witnesses
that the limitation in the former case should be
rather upon the total number of hours of employ-
ment in the week, than on those in each day, and
your committee have modified the bill in this
sense.
It appears, moreover, from the evidence taken be-
fore your committee, as well as by that taken before
the Factory and Workshops Act Commission of 1876,
that a large majority of the inspectors of factories are
in favour of some legislative regulation of the hours
of labour in shops; Mr. Taylor, Inspector in the
North-West Lancashire Division, expressed his
belief that they are now almost unanimously of this
opinion.
The bill contains no provision for Government in-
spection, and though no doubt, under the circum-
stances, there may be some evasion, still your com-
mittee believe that it would have a considerable
effect. _ _

The bill exempts from its operation licensed public-
houses and refreshment-houses of _all kinds. It
appears to the committee that the employment of
young persons in such places must be at least as
fatiguing, and, in many respects, as injurious as in
shops; but thil bill, as referred to your committee,
did not extend to them, and your committee have not
therefore taken evidence on the subject.
In conclusion, your committee being satisfied that
the hours of shop assistants range in many places as
high as from 84 to 85 hours a week; being convinced
that such long hours must be generally injurious, and
often ruinous to health; and that the same amount
of business might be compressed into a .shorter space
of time, recommend this bill to the favourable con-
sideration of the House.

One for watchmakers. How many carats go to a
good-sized turnip?
A Marchioness of Salisbury, on arriving late and
finding the church door closed, remarked to her
daughter, as she turned away, "Well we've done the
civil, at any rate."
A sharp Toledo girl said to a gentlemen to whom
she had just been introduced that he would be very
presentable if nature hadn't turned up so much of his
legs to make feet of.

THE HOME RULE BILLS.
MEETING OF THE LIBER A. 12 UNIONIST

COMMITTEE.

A largely attended meeting of the members of the
Liberal Union was held at the Westminster Palace
Hotel, London, on Saturday, at noon. In addition
to the president (Lord Hartington), there were
present—
The Hon. Evelyn Ashley, Sir R. Anstruther, Bart.,
M.P.,the Duke of Argyll,K.T., Lieut.-Colenel Arthur,
Mr. William Austin. Lord Auckland, the Earl of
Arran, Mr. J. Broornhall, Sir Francis G. M. Boileau,
Bart., Mr. J. .Boyd-Kinnear, M.P., Sir R. Blenner-
hassett, Bart., Mr.G.T.Bettany, Mr.S.Rowe Bennett,
Mr. W. A. Bell, Mr. M. Biddulph, M.P., Mr. T. A.
Bullock, Mr. G-. T. Bullock, Mr. R. Bickersteth, M.P.,
Mr. H. Brown. M.P.. Mr. E. H. Bunbury, the
Duke of Bedford, K.G., Mr. G. Buchanan, Mr. Karl
Blind, Lord Bramwell, Colonel Buchanan, the Rev.
J. Bond, Mr. F. W. Buxton, Mr. G. P. Bidder,
Q.C., Major-General R. Benson, Mr. H. M.
Bompas, Q.C., Mr. E. Bond, Mr. R. J.
Biron, Q.C.. Mr. John Frederick Boyce, Mr.
E. Lennox Boyd, Right Hon. E. P. Bouverie, Mr.
E. Bromley, the Earl of Camplerdown, Mr. Hvda
Clarke, Mr. N. Cohen, Sir E. Colehrooke, Bart., Mr.
H. F. C. Cavendish, Sir W. Grossman, Bart., M.P.,
Lord E. Cavendish, M.P., Mr. C. Cartwrignt, Dr. M.
Combe, Mr. A. Craig Seller, M.P., Sir Arthur F.
Clay, Bart., Mr. James Cropper, Mr. D. J. Chattell,
Sir R. Cunliffe, Mr. Lewes Dickinson, Mr. Edward
Dicey, C. 8., Dr. C. Drysdale, the Earl of Dartrey,
N.P., Mr. J. Dacosta, the Earl of Derby, K.G., Mr.
G. A. Daubney, Hon. Captain N. Dalrymple, Earl of
Dandonald, Mr. J. Daws, Mr. J. T. Emmett, Vis-
count Ebrington, M.P., Mr. E. B. EvelYn, Mr. J.
Passmore Edwards, Earl Fortescue, Mr. E. IV. Fox,
Mr. H. G. Fordham, the Rev. T. W. Fowle, Sir
Thomas Fairbairn,Bart., Mr, W. Fraser, the Earl of
Fife, K.T., Mr. A. E. Franklin, the Hon. D. F.
Fortescue, Sir Maurice Fitzgerald, Sir A. Fairbairn,
M.P.; Mr. R. B. Finlay, Q.C., M.P., the Hon. W. J.
Fitzwilliam, M.P., Lord F. Fitzroy, Mr. G. T. Fry,
the Duke of Grafton, K.G, Mr. H. R. Grenfell, the
Right Hon. G. J. Goschen, M.P., Mr. Albert Grey,
the Earl of Granard, K.P., Mr. T. Goodchild,
Mr. G. G. Gray, Mr. Daniel Grant, Mr. E. C. W.
Grey, Mr. James Grahame, Mr. C. W. Garrett. Mr. L.
Hearne, Mr. Mitchell-Henry, M.P., Mr. E. C. Houston, !
Mr. J. R. Hollond, Sir F. Head, Bart., Sir J. Hawk-
shaw, F.R.S., the Right Hon. E. Heneage, M.P.' Mr.
H. Hobhouse, M.P., Mr. T. G. P. Hallett, Mr. C. A.
Hankey, Mr. Thomas Hughes, Q.C., Mr. H. C.
Howard, M.P., Mr. W. Goodenough-Hayter, Mr. W.
Hobson, Mr. H. L. aephson, Col. Keene, Mr. N. R.
F. Kingscote, Hon. A. F. Kinnaird, Sir J. Lubbock,
M.P.. Mr. E. Lawrence, Mr. H. Lascelles, Mr. T. Lea,
Mr. S. H. Leonard, Mr. G. Pitt-Lewis, Q.C., M.P.,
Lord Lawrence, Sir J. C. Lawrence, Bart., Alderman
W. Lawrence, Mr. J. M. Lely, Mr. E. A. Leatharn,
M.P., Mr. W. Morrison, Mr. E. Myers, Mr. J.
Mowatt, Mr. P. A. Myburgh, Q.C., Mr. H. Marks,
Mr. A. Mackintosh, Surgeon-General Monet, Lord
Monteagle (of Brandon), Mr. F. W. Maude, Mr. R.
B. Martin, Mr. W. Mackenzie, Lord Moreton, Lieut-
Colonel I. Miller, Sir Louis Mallet, Mr. A. B.
M‘Gregor, Marquis of Normanby, G.C.M.G., Earl of
Northbrook, G.C.5.1., Captain Nicholson, Mr. R.
Niven, Lieut.-Colonel R. D. Osborn, Sir Patrick
O'Brien. Mr. C. A. Prescott, Mr. R. Purvis, Sir T.
Paine, Bart., Rev. N. Price, Mr. W. W. Parkinson,
Mr. M. Pakenham, Mr. W. A. Pope, Mr. W. C. Popys,
Mr. Arthur Patton, Mr. R. J. Quin, Mr. J. C. Reade,
Mr. E. S. Roscoe, Lord Ribblesdale, Mr. Pandell Ralli,
Mr. J. D. Rogers, Mr. Peter Rylands, M.P., Baron IF. de
Rothschild, -M.P., Sir J. W. Ra,msden, Bart., M.P.,
Mr. J. C. Robinson, Lord Rothschild, Mr. Reginald
W. Smith, Mr. Sidney Smith, Mr. W. H. Sargeant.
Mr. A. Pye Smith, Mr. J. Parker Smith, Mr. Richard
Horton Smith, Q.C., Mr. A. Solmenschein, Sir J. G.
T. Sinclair, Bart., the Earl of Sefton, the Earl of
Stair, K.T., Mr. B. F. Smith, the Marquis of Staf-
ford, M.P., the Duke of St. Albans, Mr. S. L.
Strachey, Colonel Stehle, Mr. C. Seely, M.P., Mr. R.
Bosworth Smith, Mr. A. W. Smithers, Mr. C. G. Sin-
clair, Mr. B. Leigh Smith, Mr. J. H. Spicer, Mr.
Staniland, Mr. S. Smith, Sir D. Salomons, Mr. W.
Thorburn, Mr. C. 0. Tagart, Sir C. E. Trevelyan,
Bart., K.C.8., Sir William Thompson, F.R.S., Mr. F.
Tagart, Mr. H. P. Thomas, Mr. E. R. Vyvyan, Mr.
J. R. Vaigey, the Duke of Westminster, K.G., Mr.
E. Holme Woodcock, Mr. John Westlake, Q.C., M.P.,
Mr. G. G. Woodward, Mr. E. R. Wodebouse, M.P.,
Major W. Cornwallis West, M.P., Rey. Dr. Wood,
Dr. George Wyld, Rev. J. M. Wilson, Mr. E. G.
Wrigley, Sir Alexander Wood, and Sir Charles Wing-
field.
Lord Hartington, who Was received with loud cheers,
pointed out that the meeting was called not for the
purpose of discussing the Irish policy of the Govern-
ment, but for purposes of organisation. It was neces-
sary that a Chnter Liberal association should be
established in order to give definite shape, strength,
and efficiency to the opinion of that large section of
the Liberal party which was opposed to the estab-
lishment of a separate Parliament in Ireland. The
establishment of such an organisation was necessary
in order to meet the pressure which was being exor-
cised upon members of Parliament by the party
associations, for which purpose the debate was to be
indefinitely prolonged. It was also necessary to enable I
the Liberal -Unionists to hold their own at the general
election, for the fight would shortly be transferred
from the arena of the House of Commons to the
arena of the constituencies. They were not going to
be content with a barren protest, but they were deter-
mined to carry on the contest with the same
vigour and the same resolution in the country
as they had shown within the walls of Parliament.
Mr. Goschen, who proposed the resolution which
defined the constitution of the association, pointed out
the way in which Liberal Unionists could assist in the
work of organisation. He invited those present (1)
to send to Mr. Maude (the secretary), 35. Spring-
gardens, S.W., the names of known Liberal Unionists;
(2) The names of gentlemen who would be entrusted
to undertake the important duties of corresponding
agents for their respective districts; (3) To take imme-
diate steps for the establishment of branch com-
mittees after the example of Glasgow, Nottingham,
Bradford, Liverpool, Derby, &c.; (4) To organise the
thorough and systematic circulation of the pamphlets
and literature published by their association among
the Liberal electors of Great Britain; (5) To sub-
scribe liberally to the fund of the association. He
emphasised the importance of raising at once a large
fund so as to enable them to run as many candidates
as possible, and resist with success in the country as
in the House cat Commons the dictation of the local
caucuses.
Mr. Rylands said what was going on in the House
of Commons should make them mere determined
than ever to resist the crushing of independent
opinion. He declared that the Government were
adopting means for prolonging the debate, not in the
hope of altering opinion, but for the purpose of
bringing pressure to bear upon individual members.
The Duke of Argyll, in moving the appointment of
the general committee, spoke at some length on the
character of the scheme which the Prime Minister
had produced. He characterisen it as an absurdity,
and he was certain that if the vote in the House of
Commons ware to be taken on the merits of the bill
10 men would not be found to support it. He had
watched with some anxiety to see whether personal
government could be carried to such an extent that no
rebellion would be raised in the House of Commons,
and it was with immense relief that he saw a Man of
intellect and independence like Lord Hartington ready
to raise the standard, and that a large and influential
body of supporters had gathered round it. He trusted
that a proposal so insidious and so dangerous would
not survive the opposition that had been so courage-
ously raised and so ably conducted.
Mr. Cropper, late member for Kendal, seconded
the appointment of the committee, and the resolution
was carried unanimously.
The Earl of Derby proposed a vote of thanks to
Lord Hartington for his independent action in this
matter. He considered that the crisis was the

gravest and most dangerous which had occurred
within his time. That the difficulties were not of

our seeking; they had been forced upon us by the
Government. We had to defend ourselves, and be
cordially approved of the steps which had been taken
by the association to meet the crisis. Every man who
wished to preserve the integrity of the empire and
the supremacy of Parliament would, he was sure, be
prepared, either by his influence or by his speaking,
or by money to assist in the enterprise in which
we were engaged.
Mr. H. R. Grenfell seconded the vote of thanks,
which was carried amid the warmest enthusiasm, the
whole meeting rising from their places and heartily
cheering Lord Hartington.
Lord Hartington replied, and the meeting, which
throughout its proceedings had been most enthusi-
astic, separated. The general committee remained
behind to appoint the executive.and to wasn't as to
future arrangements. The fpollowing are the general
committee : Duke of Argyll, Mr. Ashley, Sir R.
Anetruther, M.P., Sir T. Brocklebank, Sir R.
Blennerhassett, Mr. Biddulph, M.P. Ar. Back-
hou!..e, R. Bickersteth, M.P., Duke of Bed-
fora p pv. J. Bond, Mr. Baxter, H. Brand,
M.P., Mr. Bruce, Mr. Brodie, Dean of
Glo'icester, Earl of Camperdown, Sir E. Cole-
brooke, Mr. Craig-Sellar, Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Dent,
Earl Derby, A. Elliot, M.P., Mr. Foljambe, Lord Fife,
Sir A. Fairbairn, Mr. Finlay, M.P., :Mr. Foy, Mr.
Gell, Mr. Goschen, Mr. A. Grey, Mr. Hornby, Mr. W.
Hogg, H.SHobhouse, M.P., Mr. Heneage; Lord Hart-
ington, Mr. Hallett, Sir J. Lubbock, M.P.. E. A.
Leatham, Mr. A. Milner, Mr. Morrison, Lord Mont-
eagle, Mr. Maude, Earl Northbrook, Mr. Noel,
M.P., Mr. Pease, Mr. T. W. Russell, Mr. Rylands,
M.P., Lord Revelstoke, Lord Rothschild, Duke of St.
Albans Duke of Westminster, Lord Stallbridge, Mr.
Wodehouse, M,P., Mr. Watson, Sir W. Thomson,
lir. A. Dicey, Sir R. Cunclife, A.M. Thompson„Baron
F. Rothschild.