The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-22 00:00:00

THE NORTHUMBERLAND AND
DURHAM PITMEN.

At Newcastle on-Tyne, on Saturday night, the
members of the Northumberland Steam Coalowners'
Association and a deputation from the executive of
the Northumberland Nliners' Association met with re-
gard to the wages question. Mr. John Henderson,
the chairman of the Northumberland Steam Coal
Trade, presided. The deputation from the men con-
sisted of Mi. Thomas Burt, Mr. ; Mr. Bryson, the
president of the Association ; Mr. Nixon, secretary,
Mr. Young, treasurer, and other delegates. The pro-
ceedings were private. It was stated by the Chairman
of the Coal Trade and other gentlemen actingon behalf
of the coalowners that they had nothing to complain
of in regard to the price of best steam coals ; but the
position of the trade was seriously affected by the
low prices of inferior coals. Small coals had gone down
from 100. to 4s. lid. and 4e. per ton, and even at this low
figure they did not meet a ready sale. Large quantities
were lying in stock unsaleable. Soft coals had like-
wise gone down very much. Gas coals had fallen in
price almost one-half; and coke from a very high
figure had fallen to a low value. Therefore, collieries
producing much inferior coals could not be carried on
at a profit, and the owners found it necessary that a
material reduction should be made in wages. The
men had received an aggregate advance of 40 per cent.
upon the old prices, and, having regard to the state of
trade, the coalowners felt compelled to propose a re-
duction of 20 p,r cent, from the 40 per cent., equal to
a reduction upon their gross earnings of 144 per cent.
In order that plenty of time might be allowed for con-
sideration it had been determined that the reduction
should not commence until the lot of October. A
general delegated meeting of the Northumberland
Miners' Association will be held next Saturday to
deliberate upon the whole Question.

A great demonstration of the Durham pitmen was
held on the raceequrse of the city of Durham on
Saturday. Notwithstanding that the rain fell heavily
in the early pact of the forenoon, it was estimated
that between 30,000 and 40,000 persons were as-
sembled at the meetings held in the open air. There
were numerous speakers, including representatives
from the other Miners' Unions in the tilted King-
dom. The following resolutions were adopted :

"In looking at the past twelve months we regret that
there is not so much cause as we should like to have seen for
congratulation. The condition of trade made a reduction
of wages imperative. Nevertheless, during the same period
we have increased, both numerically and financially, thus
tending to strengthen our organisation in any future action
which may arise in the county. But if that strength has
to be not only continued but increased, we must still en-
courage a spirit of combination among us, and thus tend to
consolidate our position. We cannbt too deeply regret
those struggles which, to a greater or lesser extent,
are at all times seen to exist between employers
and employed, bringing, as they do, destitution and devasta-
tion to all concerned. In the opinion of this meeting
the only true solution .of this difficulty is an extensive
establishment of co-operative institutions We are, there-
fore, glad that during the year we have deposited in the Co-
operative Mining woeiety £15,000, thus encouraging a prin-
ciple which must bring to an end those conflicting interests
at present existing between capital and labour. That thin
meeting, consistin.i for the most part of men belonging to
districts not included within the Parliamentary electoral
boundaries of the Empire, calls on the Government to
extend the suffrage, no as to place the working men in the
counties on precisely the same looting as the inhabitants of
large towns and cities. But that manhood suffrage is recog-
nized by this meeting as the only true and just basis of
electoral right."

Mr. Alderman Fowler read a letter from Mr. Joseph
Cowen, M. P., who NM unable to attend the meeting,
and addressed to Mr. Crawford, the secretary of the
Durham Miners' Association. Mr. Cowen wrote :

"Vu have an anxious time before you. I feel sure, how-
ever, that the officers and leading men of the Union will
meet the sacrifice that the altered state of the trade will
impose upon them in a fair and business-like spirit. The
price of coal has come down, and is likely to be still further
reduced This change will tell upon the wages of the
miners and all connected with colliery workings. What
alterations in price should be made, and when it should take
effect, is a matter for consideration anti arrangement. I
trust these points will be settled amicably, without refer-
ence to the dread alternative of a strike or a lock-out. The
intelligent Durham miners know quite well that no Trade I
Society can regulate the rate of wages. All a Union can
do is to obtain for its members at an earlier date than they
could obtain Individually the hest possible remuneration
the employers can afford to pay. If the Union attempts to
enforce a higher wage than the state of the trade will afford,
It will fail. If, on the other hand, the employers insist on
demanding a greater reduction than the state of the market
requires, they will faiL No Union of workmen, however
strong, can maintain a rising wage against a falling market,
and no Union of employers can keep down wages in face of a
rising market. The Durham miners had little difficulty in
getting advances eighteen months or two years ago. when the
price of coals was high and advancing. Their own good sense
will tell them that in presence of a reduced &mead and
lessened price they must submit to an altered scale of pay-
ment If that altered rate cannot be fixed by mutual consent
I hope the points in dispute will be referred to arbitration.
Under any circumstances I trust the North Durham miners
will stand by their Union, and if differences do arise let the
minority loyally acquiesce in the decision of the majority.
If there had been no Union in North Durham during the
late exciting tones in the coal trade there would hate been
constant local Irritation and no end of isolated strikes
and contentions. Business will recover from its pre-
sent depression. and with improved trade some of the Alvan-
. tages that it may be necessary for the miners at present to
forego will be restored. The old half-feudal, half-pats iarchal
arrangement that .existed between employers and employed
has in most skilled trades been broken down. %Vorkmen MAW
deal with capitalists as brother tradesmen. The artisan sells
his labour, amt the mtneowner and manufacturer purchases
it as he sells his coals or his iron at market valise If this
altered state of affairs can be realized and recognised by both
parties, if the workman ce Milts to expect more for his labour
than the state of trade will allow his employer to give, and
the employer can be brought to understand that his workman
occupies a similar position to his customers and should be
treated in accordance with the same commercial rules, such
a calamity ass strike need never occur"