The Express.
London, England, 1864-01-08 00:00:00

ROMSET LABOURERS ENCOURAGEMENT
ASSOCIATION.

ROMSEY, THUBADAT.
The annual meeting of this aseociation was held
ilisafternixta, and, in the unavoidable &mop of Lord Pal-
esentina, the Right Hon. W. Comma, ILP., presided.
the other gentleman premat were Sir O. Ilawlin-
te= mayor, Mr. Lordan (the .:-mayor), the vicar.
Lieutenant Albo
ood.p, and many of the leading gentlemen of
zee ant
The dinner given to the suocesaful candidates took place
lithe Town-hall, after which the prizes were distributed
* the Right Hos. W. Cows; who pointed out to the suc-
mesful candidates the advantages of cultivating habits of
Industry' and honesty, sod sobriety. He atroogly reoom-
mended them to Mead a little more to the simple rules of
health, bbeerving that there were many cottagers who bad
oat yet discovered that Umiak which they breathed over and
ever again became se foul and as dirty as the water in which
they washed their hands. Many people were not aware
that air became as dirty as water, just because they could
set see the dirt is the air, but it was quite true that air
which had been breathed over sad over spin was jest as
unwholesome as dirty water would be to drink. Many were
so afraid of admitting the cold air that they excluded the
fresh air; they continued breathing the was sir over
sad over again, thus sowing the seeds of dimeea which
too frequently terminated fatally. The right hon, gentle-
Mao concluded his remarks by recommending theeelabourers
who had a little more than sufficed for their daily wants so
mast the temptation of wasting their money in melees and
wasteful indulgences, and to guard themselves against those
Wig habits which too frequently deprived men of all poser
et self-coutrol, and lead to their ultimate ruin.
At the close of the right boo. gentleman's address., three
hearty cheers were given for Lord Pahneestoo, and three
mars for Lady Palmerston.
Mr. COM'ER said he was quite certain Lord and Lady
Palmerston would be very mach delighted to hear of the
meaner in which their names had beau received. Nothing
scald have kept his lordship away but illness, for he felt an
especial interest io the swam of the society, and would be
meet gratified is finding that two of the cottages on his es-
tates had received prizes, and that prizes had been awarded
he persons emplovedoa hie farm for good conduct.
A large party of the subecribars afterwards dined together
at the White Home Hotel, Mr. Cowper presiding.
The usual_loyal toasts were given, and reeved with the
greatest cordiality.
_ _ _

The CI111101•11, in proposing " The Army, the Navy,
end the Volunteers." said—When we cast our eyes over the
Omitinent and see in every direction perplexities and dit i.
initial, wars and rumours of wars, we naturally look at
bane to see whether our brave defenders are in a position
to ere us security and peace. We see on the Continent,
under the name of a desire to deliver and promote nations-
/it/as, most menacing deeigns, and there seems to be no real
wound for satisfactory security except in the bravery and
effiiency of our army, our navy, sod our volunteers. (Cheers.)
Our arm/ have showa their proweu in recent as well as in
mister times, and the men who have been beaten in a
pitched battle are still fairly imprecated iu our existing
army. (Cheers.) Our fleet, which has gained a victor)
wherever it has appeared, has reached an amount of effi-
miescy which it never knew before, by means of • combina-
tion of newly-discovered mechanical skill, sod the energy of
ow sailors. (Cheers.) Our volunteers, rising as they do
with enthusiasm over the whole length and breadth of the
itountry, .re the most sore guarantee that England need
never fear the invasion of a foreign power. (Cheers.) I
bow of no spectacle more gratifying to the English nation
than the energy, the patience, the perseverance with which
the volunteers have continued year after year to exercise
themselves for a coming day, which may, and 1 hope is, fax
distant, ad the sacrifice which they have made of time and
amusement in order to fit them to defend, are worthy of
all praise and of our utmost gratitude. (Loud cheers.)
Lieut. Ittsor responded.
Sir C. I t.tal.orsON then proposed "The health of Lord
Palmerston," which was drunk with three times three, fol-
lowed by the same for Lady Palmerston.
The CUMULUS. in proposing the toast of the evening,
"Soma to the Romsey Labourers' Eocouragemeut Asso-
ciation," said—Everyone will admit that the condition of
the agri.:nitural labourer has greatly Unproved in recent
years. Our free trade policy and wise *gaieties bass
chospec-xl the necessaries of life, and have placed with4o
the reach of the labourtv luxuries and enjoyments which he
could not before commend. But still there are many dis-
edvantagee and privations to which that class is exposed,
and which we all earnestly desire to remedy. Ido not
allude to such imaginary grievances as that of the tiller, of
the soil not having any share in the ownership of the lend.
Such a complaint as that rests upon a fallacy and a delu-
sion. If it were possible to make the labourers the owners
et the land which they are tilling it would be • retrograde
movement in agriculture. The great progress in agriculture
of late years has been due to the coseentration and applica-
tfoo of :apital to an amount of land which is sufficient to
justify -he favourable employment of that capital; sod it
would be going back to times of less prosperity—it would be
followivo the example of must,* boa prverrrow than
Inked io agriculture—if we were to aim al such an absurd
sad impassible object. (Rear, hear.) But in • humbler way
there are many things which might be done to improve toe
soeditiou of the labourer. It is distressing to find men
unable to obtain cottages in which they can bring up their
children decently. It is not the fault of the labourer that
be is nut is a condition to build his own cottage or provide
one for himself. He is obliged to depend upon what may
be within his reach. It is also a subject of great regret
that so vary few of the Labouring classes are able from their
earnings to lay by sufficient to keep them in old age, if
they sh•Juld not have children or relations who will under-
take the care of them. But what I desire for the agricul-
tural labourer is that he should have access to healthy and
comfortable cottages—that be should have allotments of
garden ground of sufficient am, and at • non-iderate rent,
for his own cultivation—(hear, bear)—that he should be
able to provide a good education for his children, and
have opportunities for mental recreation for himself ; that
he slio4ld have fair wages •for hie work, and should have
within his reach that help which he needs in times of
sickness and old age. (Hear, hear.) No doubt there is
aniong,t the agricultural labourers a great want of skill in
their spocial business. It has long been a cause of regret
amongst those who are interested in the progress of the
labouring loan, that he has pot that amount of skill and
proficiency, which is so desirable. I think these associations
have t.ikeo up that point in a very wise and practical
manner, by applying tothe agricultural labourer that prin-
ciple which is so much admired, and which is so success-
ful in the present day—the principle of competitive exami-
nation --(hear, hear)—for what we really do is to examine
by competition those agricultural labourers, in the
Dope of stimulating them to acquire more skill,
and to give more attention to that which is
their proper bushiest in life. (Hear, bear.) This Is the way
bi which thence of horses is improved, by the competition
which takes place in our Derby sod St. Leger, and country
rues. When perilous are really competing for an object
which they value, they will apply all their energies to the
work with an onimation and teal which they would not
exert for the object aloes. Competition stimulates exertiou,
and this Society has certainly been very useful in atimula-
tag the agricultural labourer to an improved exercise of his
tools in the business in which he is employed. We shall
Imre to require more skill in the agricultural labourer, we
see that steam machinery is about to make a cosuidersble
ehange is agriculture es it has already done in weaving, and
in other branches of industrial manufacture, and we shall
require men who are able to rasaage and deal with those
steam engines which are beginning to wander over the
country. I look with satisfaction upon this change under
the aspect of its benefit to the labourer, for the result must
he that the labourer becoming more of a skilled artisan will
Dave higher wages, and be saved front much of that
drudgery which has to be performed by manual labour.
Ice every walk of industry the application of steam
neschinery bas raised the condition of the workmen ; and so
it must be with ohs agriculturist. The labourer, as well as
the farmer soil the owner of land, will reap the bmiefit
arising from the application of science and skill to the im-
plemeots of husbandry. (Hear, bear.) In a future year,
I think, it will be well to bear this in mind in regard to the
subjects to be tested by this competitive examination. (He.r,
beer.) While skill should be the main object to be ie-
warded, I should be sorry to omit the offering of prizes for
good moral conduct ; use there are a considerable
number of agricultural labourirs • hose excellencies cannot I
be tooted by any single occupation, but whete merits most be
judged by the character they beer and the satisfactory way
in which they bare performed their duties. By this combi-
aation we put forward both the merit of the workman god
his moral character. We combine the skill and good be-
haviour, of thou persons who are pat for ward as an example
for others to follow. (Hear.) I think this association certainly
has been of great value. Although not en ambitious mode
of benefiting the workman, it has bees practically useful,
sad a seta:actor! mode of attaining the object; and I
think you will all agree that in attending these meetings we
are helping oo the good cause. (Hear, hair.) I cannot
avothathirsi with thiee who would apply the rugged rules of
polituad economy to the condition of the labourer. sod
would say leave him alone ; let him be indepeedent ; doc't
interfere with him ; leave him to the accidents of the labour
market, or you will interfere with his independence. I
°isnot take that view of the subject. I think that the
labounog men who join in reaping the harvest, which gives
food and wealth to the country, are deserving of the utmost
sympathy and assistance wherever auto be given by the ic-
auentiel members of the community. (Hear. hear.)
Although oar agricultural labourers do not risk their lives
for their country, they employ them in • useful and belie-
f cial occupation, and the gratitude which the rest of the
community ought to feel towards then, should be shown by
doing what lies in oar power to remove the difficulties, the
isconyealusees, and the privatioes with which they are
effikted. lam sure that every right minded tray will be
*axioms to do everything in his power to improve the con-
dition of the labouring chums. Them ere era in which
parsons may do harm whoa they think they ere doing good,
Dot this association shows a useful and beneficent way of
bringing public attention to bear on the condition of the
labouring classes and assisting in the development of their
good qualities by the force of public opinion. (Cheers.)
he toast was drunk with the venal loooury
Several other toasts of a local ohmmeter wore then given
sad reepoetled to.

Thu Poole papers record the death of Mr. Robert
Ilia, a well-lreowe nisitant sad politiesi leader in that
tem. He een chiefly aimed is tie Newfaandiend trade,
see had matinee establishments and pemmican is that
mil•