The Express.
London, England, 1861-04-27 00:00:00

THE DISPUTE IN THE BUILDING TRADE.

Last evening an aggregate meeting of the Work-
, men in the various branches of the building trade was cue-
! vaned at St. Jamee's-hall, for the purpose of clearly ascar.
taming their opinions on the proposed mode of payment by
the hour emanating from some portion of the master
builders. The ball was densely crowded both with society
and non-society men, and the greatest enthusissin prevailed.
The entrance of the committee and Mr. Potter on the plit-
form was signalised by cheering, which lasted for some time.
Mr. JAHWIB, plasterer, having been celled to th chair,
opened the meeting with a few observations soliciting a
patient bearing for all reeekers, even if they were opposed
to the object of the meeting.
Mr. Aticaorr nee to propose the first resolution :
" That in the opinion of this meeting, the eystem of pay.
meet by the hour introdeced by Messrs. Kelk, Lucas, and
Smith is objectionable, because it opens a wider field for
oompotition, jeopardises the Saturday 4 o'clock, does away
with the payment of timeand-a-half for overtime, and
destroys a recognised day k therefore we pledge ounelvai to
oppose the system until it is withdrawn." He said they
were met to protest against the proposed system of pay.
mast by the hour. They did not like it, believing that it
would tend to lower their position as working men, would
destroy • recognised day's work, and be as degrading to the
master who offered it as to the man who accepted it. (Hear.)
The master builders hoped by appealing to the selbali
nature of the workmen to carry out their object, but they
had been disappointed. The men felt that if they owe as to the hour system there was no_guarentee that
the masters would not exact fourteen. fifteen, or even
sixteen hours a day in summer, and go back to five, six, or
seven hours in the winter. He entreated his fellow men
to struggle manfully against the hour system, in favour of
the nine hours movement, and to support the men who
were locked out.

WHELLZR, plasterer, seconded the resolution. He
ridiculed the idea of forme workmen being brought in;
the masters knew their own interests too well. The speaker
this entered into various details respecting the lock-out at
Memo. Belk and Lucas's works. In his own trade, out of
86 men locked out two-thirds were non-society men ; sod
not one had gone back. The men in the provirem were
with them none were coming up from the country, and
this in itself was a great support. He was preparedon
behalf of his trade to say that if the masters would pay is.
rda of 10 hours for 6ve days, and 3s. for half a day on
Batard~a7, the men would accept it. He condemned the
policy of the masters in throwing as much labour into the
market as possible, to starve them into submission.
Mr. 010111111711 supported the resolution, which wig
put fretsn. the alai: and carried unanimously, amid loud
ass

16:WILIONT moved the sewed resolution, " That the
men thrown out of work by the new conditions of the
master builders, being willing to resume their employment,
providing the employers recognise a fixed day, we pledge
ourselves to render every assistance to those at present
locked out, and we urge upon our fellow-workmen of the
United Kingdom the necessity of misting us to success-
fully
"cumbut the &similes system o payment by the
hour._

LEAfa seconded the resolution, which was carried
unsalmresly.
Mr. POTTICII then came forward mid wee loudly cheered.
He said the labour and anxiety he had lately gone through
bad so far affected his health that he was unable to address
them at any length. He felt so strongly the mike of the
mum he was advocating that he cared but little for the
want of svmpathy on the part of the press or the public ;
be knew that he possessed the confidence of the thousands
of hi, fellow workmen, and felt that they had only to per.
savors and they mast succeed io their object. (Cheers.)
A vote of thanks to the chairman and the committee coo.
eluded the proosedinp.