The Express.
London, England, 1860-06-01 00:00:00

MASTERS AND OPERATIVES REPORT.

The select committee appointed to take into con-
sideration the best mesas of settling disputes between
masters and operatives,and to whom the Martens and Ope-
ratives Bill was referred, have considered the matters to
them referred, awl agreed to the following report :
" From the evidence taken before them, in which both
masters and operatives were examined, and also after refer-
ring to the evidence taken before the committee appointed
in 1856, your committee have come to the unanimous
opinion that the voluntary formation of equitable councils
of conciliation would tend to promote a more friendly tin.
dominating between the employers and employed, to soften
any irritation that might arise, and in must cases to prevent
the growth of niche spirit of antagonism as too of ten leads to a
strike. Yourcominitteeconeuriotheopinionexpressed in the
report of 18.'01, that ' From the evidence before them, they
cannot but arrive at the conclusion that the formation of
courts of conciliation in the country, more especially in
manufacturing, commercial, and mining districts, would be
beneficial ; that by these means, both the masters and
operatives would be enabled, each from their own chum or
calling, to appoint referees, an equal number by each party,
having the power to elect a chairman.' Your committee
have considered the bill which has hero referred to them
by the house, and are unanimously of opinion that if the
bill purses into a law, it will promote the welfare anal good
understanding between masters and operatives, unit be stl-
vantneoux to the country. Your committee, in conclusion,
add, that there is nothing in the hill that gives power to
any council to regulate the rate of wages in any prospective
manner whatever.—May 15, 1860."

Diemprze ix THE BriLDnen TRADL The
operative stonemaimus of Bradfonl have this week pub-
lished a printed statement showing that the existing rein-
them between them aril their employers are not of a satin.
factory character. It iippeurs that the men have asked for
a reduction of their hours of labour from 571 to 513 per
week, their wages to remain as before. They state that
by way of nierting this deduction they are sacrificing 2a.
per week of their wages, as agreed to by 43 employers of
the town iu but which agreement was only acted
upon by the masters " so long as it suited their conveni-
enee." Two nionthie notice, it seems, has been given by
the men 14 their present demand for shorter hours of
41111 tint notice expires oou the 4th of June ; so that
something in the nature of • strike is impending, the em-
ployers not having seceded to the request made to them.
31..4 of the Hull joiners are at present on strike. The men
seek an advance of lid. per day in their wages, raising their
weekly wages from 21s. to 274. In consequence of the gnat
demand for workmen several of the masters have been
oompelled to give in, while mane of the others are reso-
lutely determined to withstand die effort, of the men to
gain their object.—Lents Mercury.
Tlts LATE MR. JAMS BELL—The Pharrnactu-
. furvel Jottnerre puldishes a subscription list, by widelt we learn
that neon than 1,400 f. baa already been oulae.lbed fur the
Jacob bell memeciaL