The Express.
London, England, 1867-09-23 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 23, 1867.

LONDON TRADES' COUNCIL.

A general delegate meeting of the London
Trades' Council was held at the Bell Inn, Old Bailey, on
Saturday night ; Mr. Parker of the Amalgamated
Engineers, in the chair. The secretary (Mr. Geo. Odger)
acknowledged the receipt of a letter from Mr. Fox, secre-
tary of the Sheffield Chamber of Industry, inclosing the
rules of that body, which has been recently formed "to
look to the interest of both capital and labour, in order to
bring them into closer union, to give advice in cases of
dispute between employers and employed, to study the
principles of political economy, and to examine the laws
relating to capital and labour." The business of the
chamber is conducted by an executive of thirteen mem-
bers, including president, vice-president, secretary, and
treasurer, to be elected by a general meeting of the body.
The executive bays issued the following address explana-
tory of their objects :—" The Sheffield Chamber of In-
dustry owes its origin to a few working men, who have
long witnessed with pain and regret the frequency of dis-
putes between masters and workmen, and the) believe the
chamber will have • tendency to bring them together for
their mutual good. The executive believe that dis-
putes often arise from mistaken notions of the
relations of capital and labour, and they propose
to inquire into the laws which regulate the
production and distribution of wealth. They are also
of opinion that the true interest of capital and labour is
identical, and that like manufacture and commerce, they
are twin sisters, and ought ever to go hand in hand. It is
intended to have lectures on political economy and other
matters relating to capital and labour ; also short essays to
be followed by discussion. Efforts will be made to secure
the services of the ablest men of the age for these objects.
The chamber will use its influence to establish a board of
arbitration and conciliation, and until that is accom-
plished it will give its counsel, with the consent of both
masters and men, to the settlement of trades' disputes.
The chamber will discuss all questions affecting both
capital and labour which may come under the considera-
tion of parliament. It is thought that these means will
afford the working classes a favourable opportunity of
becoming better acquainted with their position as labourers
in relation to capital. On the other hand, the cham-
ber will enable capitalists to ascertain by friendly inter-
course and discussion the claims of labour, which will
be a means of preventing misunderstandings that often
result in great loss. Strikes and lock-outs are evils
prejudicial to employers, workmen, and the public,
and it is hoped that all classes will come forward
to prevent, as far as possible, their recurrence. They sub-
ject workmen to great suffering, male useless the invested
money of the capitalist, drive orders to other markets,
which it is sometimes difficult to regain, and when the
conflict is over the wage fund is reduced, leaving the
workmen • less chance of advanced wages, except good
trade should turn the tide of affair', than before a strike
or a lock-out. The chamber seeks to avoid damage to all
parties." After the disposal of the correspondence, the
council received • deputation from the Coopers' Philan.
thropic Society, who are in need of assistance in conse-
quence of the slackness of trade. The president of the
society stated that it numbered 1,000 members, of whom
200 were out of employment, and a large proportion of the
remainder only partially employed. During the past
eighteen months 5,0001. have been paid to needy members,
and as they had only 7001. or 8001. funds, and were dis-
tributing 1001. per week, they asked the trades' council to
give them credentials to the trades with the view of getting
pecuniary aid. After some discussion, the council refused
to secede to the request on the ground that the embarrass-
ment of the coopers was not caused by a dispute between
labour sad capital. The meeting then terminated.

THE PAN•AROLICAN SYNOD.