The Express.
London, England, 1853-08-06 00:00:00

MEETING OF LABOURERS AT BONNER'S-

FIELDS.

Lent evening, at 6 o'clock, an adjourned meeting
of the London Dock labourers was held in Bishop Banner's
Victoria-park, for the purpose of carrying on the
recent strike in the London Docks, and to receive deputa-
tions from the St. Katherine's, East India, and West India
Docks. At the opening of the meeting there were about
1,200 present, but by 8 o'clock there were no fewer than
3,000 persons a-sembled, who conducted themselves in the
I most orderly and peaceable manner. The business of the
evening was opened by
A LABOURING MAN from the London Docks, who said
he was proud to inform the meeting that since they sepa-
rated last night the labourers of St. Katharine's Docks had
turned out in a manful and upright manner. (Vehement
cheering.) Ile could see many hundreds round him, and
he fully expected that by. to-morrow (Saturday) morn-
ling, to have the men with them from the East and
West India Docks. (Renewed cheering.) The rima
had taken up their cause in a creditable way,
and so would other journals if they carried on their pro-
ceedings in a proper manner. Their cause of complaint
was a just one, and such was the wonderful increase of
shipping in the mercantile world that the imports and ex-
ports of this country were increasing annually. The three.
tots of the London Docks could not get men sufficient to
work their vessels. If they only remained firm for a few
days the company most give in. (Hear) What had the
oempany done that day to try and get hands ? Why, they
had sent round to the various workhouses at the east end of
London to get the poor old paupers—(loud cries of
" shame")—and, more than that, they had sent for men to
Greenwich Hospital—disabled seamen. What could the
peer old fellows do ? especially being in the habit of living
on water gruel. (Laughter.) They could not do the
work ; it was utterly impossible. He hoped that every
man that bait gone in would leave and support their cause,
and not enter the gates of any of the docks until the dire.-
tors gave them its, per day, for it was better for them to
undergo a few days privation and want than years of
slavery and grinding tyranny. (Loud cheers.)
The speaker shortly afterwards retired, when several
labourers from St. Kutharine's Docks addressed the meet-
ing, showing in strong terms their right for an advance of
wages.
At this stage of the proceedings the deputations from
the East and West India Looks labourers made their ap-
pearance in the corner of the field, followed by • crowd
of working men, in front of whom was borne a large white
banner, on which was printed in conspicuous letters,
East and West India Docks. Brothers, be firm. 3s.
and no surrender."
The men walked into the centre of the meeting, and
were received with the most hearty cheering ; and
*ken some order was obtained, several of the deputation
addressed the spectators, and from what could be gleaned
in the bustle and confusion it was understood that the la-
bourers in the East and West India Docks were to strike
on Saturday morning (this day) at eight o'clock, if the di-
rectors did nut give its, per day.
Several speeches were delivered, after which the meeting
was again adjourned, and all separated in a quiet
manner.
A number of the police of the K division were present.

A SPECIMEN OP RUSSIAN LEGISLATION.—The
Russian government (says the Prankfol Journal), ties just
published the following ordonnance relative to the Jewish
ceremonial observed in the celebration of marriages :—As
the custom in Jewish marriages of cu'.ting oil a port of the
hair of the bndu depends in a :general way on the will of
the Rabbis or of the J I wish priests, the latter shall for the
future abstain from that ceremony b7,' giving an efigs2e-
ment in writing. Those who shall re4'.ore to enter into this
engagement shall be liable to corß•.,eniant in a house of
correction fur from two to three years. In the event of a
priest disobeying this ordonnar.se be shall be immediately
inclrpora,ed in the active I tr,y, and if he is not fit for mili-
tary duty, he shall pass frou -10 to 12 years in a penal mili-
tary section. Any Jews„ who shall submit to the cere-
mony shall be eondurr.ned to a fine of five silver roubles, to
be paid into the twail for Jewish stadia* establishments.