The Express.
London, England, 1852-01-10 00:00:00

;GINEERS AND TIIEIR EMPLOYERS.

THE CO-OPERATIVE SYSTEM.
Yesterday troth ng transpired to change the rela-
tive positions of the parties to this unfortunate dispute, wave
the dinning of the establialinteut of Misers. Middleton and
Co., engineers, Lomarestreet, Borough, by which about
100 men an thrown out of work, thus dissipating an idea,
entertained by many of the operatives, that the omelets
would, at the eleventh hour, withdraw their threat of
closing their shops.
A meeting was last evening held at the Sun Tavern,
Blackheath-hill, called by the Greenwich Cii.operative
Working Engineers' Association; Mr. Fyshwick in the
chair. Mr. Musto, ono of the workmen connected with
the establishment of Messrs. Easton and Amos, and Mr.
W. Newton, were present. The object of the meeting was
to consider the propriety of establishing additional work-
shops upon the co-operative principle—one shop basing
been opened by the society about a fortnight ago, in
which a number of men have since been employed.
This shop, it was stated, owed its origin to the
dispute now pending between the masters and the Amal-
gamated Society, the men being animated by a desire to
guard against the inconvenieu,:ce and privations to which
they might otherwise he exposed by the contemplate I clos-
ing of establishmeuts. Previous to last night the shares
taken had been few, but the capital subscribed at the con-
clusion of the meeting amounted to WI., divided antonmt
about 110 operatives. The satiety has already received
orders to the arnouut of about 1601., and have given in ten-
ders for work to the amount of 2,101 M. It was agreed that
the affairs !Mould be conducted by a massaging committee
of five operatives, with power to purchase tools, erect work-
elite's, take orders, and perform all other necemary func-
tions. None but member,' of the Amalgamated Society are
admissible as shareholders.

.....
With respect to the workmen employed by Mown. Eas-
ton and AlOO4, forty of whom it was stated yesterday hail
subscribed 2001. (or co-operative purposes, it is said that
they were actuated in this proceeding by a desire to relieve
the funds of the Amalgamated Society, upon which they
world otherwise be dependent during the continuance of
the strike. At a meeting held by them lust night, they
came to a (urinal resolution to that effect. They have ob-
tained liberal promises of employment from firms and indi-
viduals, whose work they formerly executed while in the
employ of Messrs. Easton and AMOS.
The Society of Moulders, who wish to remain aloof from
the Amalgamated Society of Engineers (unless compelled
to join them in self-defence), yesterday issued 3 circular to
their 62 branches, with u view to ascertain the number of
their members who will be thrown out of employment by
the closing of the engineering establishments throughout
the country. The circular states that in London, 187 mem-
bers out ut 118 now employed will be thrown out of work
in 16 firms, 108 being already idle. It is stated that toe
strike will affect the Moulders Society more seriously in
Lancashire than in the metropolitan districts. It numbers
now about .500 members throughout the United Kiug-
dum, with a fund, however, of out Inure than some 3,00• W.
In 1817 it amounted to upwards of 20,000/.; but from that
time to the present it has gradually diminish...eh through
the depression of trade, down to its present amount.
The Loudon and Greenwich br.uiciles hare decided upon
meeting weekly to receive the contributions of thus* in
work, fur the support of those members likely to be dis-
charged.