The Express.
London, England, 1868-07-16 00:00:00

TRADES UNIONS AND STRIKES.

The discussion opened on this subject at the
meeting held on the ath instant in the theatre of the So-
ciety of Arts, under the presidency of Mr. Gladstone, was
resumed last night by adjournment at the rooms of the
Social Science Association, Adam-street, Adelphi. Mr.
G. W. Hastings, who occupied the chair, recalled to mind
that two resolutions stood over from the former meeting,
and these it was now proposed to take up. Mr. Nowmarch
accordingly proposed the first of these, observing that its
intention was sufficiently indicated by its words, viz. :
" That in the opinion of this meeting the interests of both
workmen and employers, instead of being opposed, are in
harmony, and indeed identical; it being, for example, for
the benefit of each class that that rate of wages should
always be adopted which, on the one hand, is
not so high as to drive away capital, and, on the
other, not so low se to drive away labourers."
Mr. Plummer seconded the resolution, and quoted Charles
Knight and Mr. Stuart Mill in support of it. Mr. Thomas
Hughes, M.P., said it was quite impossible that he could
agree to the resolution, because the interests of the em-
ployers and employed were not identical. If they were,
this society had been wasting a great deal of time, and
the Trades Union Commission was sitting to no purpose.
He was afraid it would always be a question of strife as
to what share of profit capital and labour should oath
take, and hence the resolution was not true in fact. Mr.
Torrens moved as an amendment, "that in the opinion
of the meeting it is expedient in the interest of
workmen and employers that wages should, as far
as the fluctuations of trade would permit, bo
so adjusted as to avoid equally those extreme rates
which tend to drive away capital, and deprive the work-
man of a comfortable subsistence for himself and family."
Mr. Ruskin was prepared to second the amendment,
with the addition of some words to fix a standard of
wages ; but after a long discussion, in which Mr. Lloyd
Jones, Mr. Lushington, Mr. Dunning, Mr. F. Hill, and
others took part, Mr. Torrens consented to withdraw his
amendment in favour of one proposed by Mr. Webster,
Q.C., as follows:—" That in the opinion of this meeting,
while all relations between employer and employed are of
the nature of contract and of transactions
of purchase and sale, it is still true that,
in no remote sews, the real interests of both
are the same, and that it is for the general interest that
profits and wages should be adjusted so as to foster enter-
prise in the most effectual manner." Mr. Teuton se-
conded this amendment, and it was eventually agreed to
almost unanimously. Dr. Hodgson then proposed, and
Mr. F. Hill seconded, the final resolution:—"That con.
adoring how important it is that a knowledge of some
of the simpler laws of political economy, on the practical
application of which such momentous interests depend,
should be acquired before the mind becomes b. and
the pensions aroused, this meeting is of opinion that, how-
ever elementary the school, and of all classes, such instruc-
tion should always form part of the education." This
gave rise to another lengthened discussion ; but it was
eventually agreed to, and a vote of thanks to the chair-
man closed the proceedings of • very protracted sitting.
The attendance was not so numerous as at the former
meeting.

DISFRANCIIIBEVENT IN HACKNEY.—Parties from
whom assessed taxes are due in Hackney received yester-
day by post the following notice :—" Queen's Taxes.—Mr.
Crump, the collector of Hackney (2), will attend at his
house, 9, Harrogate read, South Hackney, N.E., daily,
from 9 o'clock in the morning until 8 o'clock in the even-
ing, to receive taxes from thimie who may wish to pay on
or before the 20th of July." No elector, therefore, need
lose his vote who will take the trouble of sending to the
collector. That he ham not made the usual application is
probably owing to his having been only lately appointed
to the office, burthened with duties which should have
been discharged by his predecessor.

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