The Express.
London, England, 1862-12-05 00:00:00

[Stamped, ld. Additional.]

rHs szsrasss IN LANCASHIRE.

THE COLLECTING COMMITTEE.

A special meeting of the collecting committee
was held yesterday in the Manchester Town-hall; the
Mayor (Mt. Abel Heywood) in the chair.
Mr. J. W. MACLMIL (hon. secretary) read the report of
the organising committee, from which it appeared that the
total amount of sulmeriptioos paid during the week ending
Wednesday, Dec. 3, was 67,537/. 15e. 6d., making the
balance in the bankers' hands, 210,0001. This was equal
to a less of nine days' wages. Various circulars had been
sent out making for subscriptions. Mr. Nortboote, of the
Manchester Laurance Comma , had informed him that
the directors had voted 4001. towards the Central Relief
Fund, making their total sukeerioltoo,i.
The report was received and adopted.
Dr. Dr. Joint WATTS add the sum in the bank amused to be
a very large one • and unless people considered with it the
extent of the prevailing &strew they would begin to think
the committee had money enough. It should not be for.
gotten that Mr. Cobden's statement was that they would
need a million of money before February, and that the loss
of wages when he made that estimate was about
seven millions a year. But this estimate did not include
machinemakere, brickniakers, joiners, packeee, asleuderers,
warehousemen, clerks, and others, who were out of employ
equally with the operatives. No doubt the loss of wages et
the present crisis was at the rate of nearly ten millions per
annum, sod the fund now in the bank was considerably
under a fortnight's loss of wagess Another tires item of
unemployed not included in the above estimate were the
bleachers and dyers. If persons only got is. bd. of their
wages through the relief committee, this amount in the
beak would only extend to about ten or twelve weeks at
eijemet.
tbee
Mr. T. B. ?WM said that the must biased feel grati-
fied that there was so large an amount of money in the
bank. They must mot forget the debt they owed to Mr.
Cobden for those life-stirring exhortations which he gave
them in the Town-hall. Looking at their large Wanes,
he (Mr. Potter) ventured to urge upon them to preen upon
the executive committee the necessity of disbursing the
fund, which had been so liberally subscribed, in an
equally liberal spirit. It would not become them
in Manchester to board large sums in the
bank when vast numbers of the population were on the
brink of starvation. The minimum amount which would
keep body and soul together should not be considered in
the gifts of the executive committee, who should strive all
in their power to give something like moderate
or at least comforts to the workbag dames. If there
be some plan devised for supplementin.ogises it could be
adopted with great advantage. He the manufac-
turers in this crisis would do all they to deserve a re-
turn of prosperity. An employer of labour in France had
mot over 201. as a subscription to the relief fund.
Mr. H. B. FORM' said the distress was iocreasiog, and
they must look the matter boldly in the face. There was
• large proportion of the population who were well off 18
months ago who would soon be compelled to cease sub-
scribing altogether. It was high time, therefore, the ann.
mittee should know the extent of money they would re-
quire. While, therefore, the question of bare DeCONAIIIII
was before them, they should not think of luxuries.
Mr. Portia said he did not mean that the word should
be exactly taken. He meant such things as and sugar.
Mr. FORINT said them were at that nioirsets•ome gentle-
Heenan in the mom who had a difficulty in finding artisans,
because they could get more money by Going to the relief
committees. _ _

,
Several letters were read by the SECRETARY, the only
important one being referred to the executive.
Mr. T. CLicc, the deputy chairman, said the Collecting
Committee had mapped out thirteen districts in Manches-
ter, eight of which were as yet unoccupied, and volunteers
were bully wanted. A report of the progress made by the
canvassers would be brought up at a future time. A start
had been mule in the out districts. With regard to the
canvass generally he might state that so far as the people
had been visited there seemed to be great willingnees; but
great " touchiness." He cautioned the canvassers to con-
EDS themselves to their own districts. A great deal of irri-
tation was sometimes canned by two or three canvassers call-
ing upon the same person. The first week of the canvass
they raised nearly 34,0001., bat ao much had not been raised
since. The canvas was slightly flagging.
The Matoa said if he Lad the opportunity he should urge
upon the executive committee to increase the funds given
weekly to the poor. He agreed with Mr. Forest that they
must be cautious in the distribution of funds, and only give
that which was barely necessary.
Mr. WATERS, chairman of the Halms Belief Committee,
said that the distress in that district was so great that acorn-
mittee carried out a canvass. But there was no objection
to the present collecting committee going over the ground
again. The relief they gave wax upon a properly orgauiscd
male, the committee always taking into their consideration
the condition of the applicant as well as the number of l er-
mine in • family. Their chief desire was to avoid
raising persons above their ordinary condition in
life. The rents in Manchester, except where the
property belonged to milloweers, had in most cases been
paid, but it was out of the wardrobes of the tenants. In
many cases the committee had been obliged to give tea and
sugar. At first they decided to give only bread and meal,
but they found that would not do. The people had not
been used to mail, and could rot sat it. Sometimes they
varied their diet. last week they gave bacon and herrings,
and every week the quantity and quality of the relief was
varied, but nothing but what might be called necessities
were given.
Dr. Werra said great discrimination should be used in
redeeming articles from the pawnshops.
Mr. Ci.v..o said it was desirable that every canvasiet
should understand that he was canvassing for one object
only, and that the Central Relief Fund.
There was no other business before the meeting, which
was then brought to a close.