The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-08-12 00:00:00

DELEGATE MEETING OF POWER-LOON
WEAVERS OF NORTH AND SOUTH LA-I\r

On Sunda morning a meeting took place of this body, 34
the Temperance Progression Room, Bolton, having boil
convened by the central society. The time fixed for th 3
commencement of the business was ten o'clock, but the
chair was not taken befora eleven o'clock, in cots'

quence of there being a very meagre attendance of delet
only Blackburn, Chorley, and Bolton being repro:
that time. However, before the meeting broke u
number was augmented to about twenty persons ; am
whom were two delegates from Clayton, near Droyls
and Mr. Mortimer Grimehaw, and Mr. J. B. Horsfall,
professed to represent " the executive committee of po's
loom weavers." One of the Bolton representatives
appointed to the chair, and read the circular caling
meeting, the purport of which was to take into considi
tion the propriety of presenting a memorial to the emplo
for an advance of wages. One most important declare
was made in it as to the impolicy of strikes, and ss
must be most satislactory, as affecting the rola'
between employers and employed. We gladly tix
that portion of their circular which s :sr; : -t!
can be shown that the trade is in such a posioe
to justify us in asking for an advance of wages, o
persuaded that the employers will not deny us
tionate part of the profits derived from it, if we ask
a proper manner ; however, we are of opinion that
course be adopted by the factory workers generally, we
do better than waste our time, energy, and money, in s,
porting strikes and lock-outs. We hope the time is'
approaching, when such things will be unknown amen,
us. In our opinion a friendly feeling and mutual una'
standing between employers and employed is much to
desired, and we pledge ourselves to encourage it to the b
of our ability ; hoping, at the same time, the employers w
(when they have it in their power) give us a reasonal
share of the profits derived from an improved state of trst
thereby convincing the factory workers that they are inclir
to allow them a fair remuneration for their labour." Tt
whole tone of the meeting appeared favourable to WI
portion of the circular. One of the delegates from Bise
burn, and who officiated as secretor), rose to explain ite
the meeting had been convened. The power-loom ssenv
of Blackburn, Preston, Chorley, Bolton, and the
rounding districts had met in Blackburn on the
July, and agreed to form themselves into a central s
as they thought the time had come when they would be
fled in asking their employers for an advance of Wfiges. Clrc
lars had been sent to all the surrounding mann lac: u ring .s
trict and consequently they expected the districts would first'
the meeting with delegates to discuss this important subject
This circular had been receivsd most courteously, and frO
promises mode by local associations, they had exp'
very large meeting of delegates. It was the opinoo. to
central society that " strikes " had been most detriraeu,l
both to employers and employed, and in future it cans
deemed most advisable to adopt the course set out, ul),,
which they had met this day to discuss. However,
act
political horizon of Europe was not so promising as it held,
a fortnight ago, when their preliminary meeting was Vile
t The Russians did not seem inclined to adhere strictly to tc.r.
treaty made at Paris; and wi:h the gloom hanoing se
them, be thought it would be advisable to adjourn 1,4
meeting for the present. He therefore moved—" That
question upon which they had that day met, be a jourl; i 5.
until the political aspect of this country appears more sl Lit
factory." A question was here asked whether it was
intention to give up the 10 per cent. advance, and it a'rjsso
answered in the affirmative; but it was not intended tort,s
up the objects of the present meeting; it was only a
ponement for a short period. felt
A Delegate from Chorley said that, for his part, he s
puzzled with the resolution just made. It would Puel
damp upon his fellow-workmen in Cho, ley • ' but the greato
publicity having been given both north and south to toe
meeting, if the trade had been over anxious to ask for 0,
advance of wages, they would have been present and ,I.os
dered their assistance. It did not appear that some of or
were willing to reap any benefits with their employers, ritntss
in adversity or prosperity. He would rather adjourn
meeting until the afternoon, and if no other delegates l'oe
appeared, he thought Chorles would have to ask for
advance itself.
The Chairman said Bolton had done so nine weeks Pc9
and again only a few days since. His employer said if tilts
could find any manufacturer in the town paying more fnfija
same fabric of work they were working, he would be Sit, is
to give the advance , but as it happened no other perseit9,l,o
the town was making the same description of work, h 5
chairman), therefore thought it would be better if the slutter
trade throughout the various districts would take the nix
up, and no doubt the advance could be obtained.
opinion the advance could be well afforded, as he was nr`ols
tably informed that the manufacturers were at present 1' de
icing very large profits, he had been told 50 per enilt'so
some instances ; and no doubt if a depression of treAlethel
again experienced they would have to submit to a fur
reduction, therefore it behoved them to obtain the ads.'
of 10 per cent., which they hatl boa tskeu from thenc• f
A Delegate from Bolton said that if trade was j;:i
prosperous a state as represented, which no doubt it
would it not be better to wait at once upon their emplo::',e
and have an answer from them; if refused, then ton d
again upon the subject. He therefore moved as an artleil
went That the employers be waited upon with
memorial upon this question." to
Delegate from Chorley quite agreed that it ought
a simultaneous proceeding on the part of the whole distilet
and feared that if it only emanated from the few Cli3tl:,',
represented in this meeting it would not have the do"
result.

27th c

A De!egate from Blackburn said he could not '1,4
strongly support the first resolution ; but, front what he get
gathered, he believed there was not a very bright pr"6o'olf
before them ; they were as a vessel at sea abiding the r,ioot
of a storm. He should, therefore, second the resole,`,o
as to make a false or unwise step at present would be I'„
detrimental to their future welfare.
nE
A desultory conversation took place as to the pro67ole
the manufacturers, in which it was shown from the 'AO
reports that the profits, at oresent, were not so enorrac''itel
represented, and a general feeling being expr,ssed 0180
steering a reckless course, it being deemed far preferavol.
obtain the confidence of their employers, as then they ‘`tiiel
be certain to succeed much better, by letting them sec
studied their interests as well as their own.
The resolution for adjournment was then put and carried
unanimously, the amendment not being seconded.
v or
A resolution was then agreed to for the adjournitlfriilio
the meeting for a fortnigt, to meet at that time rotate,
,
Progression Room, Bolton, at eleven o'clock in the V
noon, to reconsider the question upon which they
thiThes day met. 101 l
delegates from near Droylsden having arrived or
at the meeting, explained that their object in being t;410
sent was to lay before the meeting particulars of a BA 06
they had then on foot, caused by what they eonsidereuei
tyranny, of their masters, and asking counsel of the Ine'te,
upon the subject. It was, however, explained to theto4fo
a minute had been passed at the last meeting of the cePiV.
society, which prevented them taking any steps in a stiee
unless the grievance had been brought before the cornlll,;pio,
previous to the strike taking place ; they did not rtnieF
strikes unless previously agreed upon, as many r'c
tO
strikes had taken place, and it was most desirak,ie
or
carry out a good feeling between the employer and
plowed. ,
The late strike at Messrs. Johnson and Filele,",
Bolton, was then introduced, and Mr. Mortimer u'
shaw and Mr. J. B. Horsfall denounced that strike
ttt
a most unjust one, and attributed the failure o,' ttit
g
present meeting to its not having been called through S
executive of the power-loom weavers, which had never ot
been dissolved, and of which they were members. 1.)
itd)hee
vsei
Horsfall being the secretary.—Mr. George Coweill„titt
advisederd strike,bMr a
nGiri mh
he
h aw
was toa
Iscomememberov e r to
ofßoltonthe reesseCectj'etieil
having
it
e meeting tendered
hitshartesitghtleareli°l.a—slatn
y Wasex,e
eh:6'll9f
existence—that committee were appointed when the llt;
strike took place, and, as a matter of course, beeall"
it
isnotmenetiovnerytoshatarpkerem
solved when that dispute ended ; and Mr. Cowcill be:l
taken a situation as " cut-looker," bad stated it was 11,1(101
anya partremarks
werein anymal
male
uponrther proceeer,3"l
conduct of Messrs. Grimshaw and Horsfall, and they
informed that the present society did not recogniso
former executive, of which it was stated the only rena.
members were Messrs. Orimshaw and Horsfall. "
in?, then adjourned until three o'clock in the afternO'l
the purpose of discussing " private grievances."
general delegate meeting to take place in accordance
the resolution previously passed,

OP;
BODKIN, Monday.—This morning Nevan, the 1104
who was convicted last assizes for shooting a sE"olltp'
of the Royal Marines, on board her Majesty %1'
Runnymede, at Saltash, in the Harnoaze, PlY—etir
suffered the extreme penalty of the law ; he appear
be deeply affected, and died struggling violently. n,15011
THE CANTERBURY SETTLEMENT.--From the 11, f°
statement of the provincial secretary for the curt eni 501
we glean the following satisfactory particulars :—Veo,
total of income for the financial year, from all sitirCeoff
estimated at about £12,300, and the expenditure fof art°,
ing on government in an economical and efficient II
for the same period at about £6,800 ; from the
£5,500, the sum of £3,000, which is to be sent to VT/.5t
for emigration, and a sum of £1,200 for education, r'3,0110
deducted, leaving a sum of somewhere about £l,'ec°
pudbli
The works of primary importance rtd•
ellcete wdo, rks.
mended by the committee of public works amouljeci
£6.000. Under these circumstances the I"„cre°,
Secretary stated that he had written to the naro?;
the Union Bank to know if he could make an a
to the Provincial Government to enable them to go Ot
these works, The manager replied that he was n Ilf
situation to make such an arrangement-but he we'li`„ao a
rto,
to the inspector at SArey for instructions. The %13-,ri,;
imports had mach increased, and there appeared aerie"
pect of a further increase for the present year,--0$
and New Zealand Gazette.