The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-05 00:00:00

THE PRESTON STRIKE.

PRESTON, Tuesday.—lncluding a balance in hand of
2331. the income of the power-loom weavers this week
amounts to nearly 2,2501. The chief contributions
were as follow :—Blackburn, 6001. ; Stockport, 2701. ;
Ashton-under• Line, 1401. ; Hyde, 1401. ; Over-Dar-
wen, 1301. ; Oldham, 1001. ; Preston, 90/. ; Staley-
bridge, 56/. ; Church parish, 491. ; Accrington, 411. ;
Great Harwood, 40/. ; Bolton, 40/. ; Droylesden,
35/. 10s. ; Burnley, 21/. Os. Bd. ; Heywood, 221. ;
Padibam, 20/. ; Chorley, 20/. ; Clitheroe, 171. ; Gor-
ton, 161. ; Enfield, 151.55.
The open-air meetings of the employed are not so
numerously attended as they were when held in the
town. These assemblies, however, are still characterised
by their wonted enthusiasm. A meeting held yesterday
afternoon at Fulwood was addressed by most of the
delegates ; lir. Luke Wood, of Stockport, in the
chair.

Mr. GRIMSHAW spoke on the subject of co-operative
self-employment, about which little has been said of
late. We must commence working for ourselves (he
remarked), and, when the manufacturers see our tall
chimneys creeping up, they'll begin to look about
them. We must erect another town in Lancashire, and
we can do it in a very few months, If the people have
only the will, the means are within their grasp. We can
raise a town with as many mills as there are in Preston,
and we'll call it " New Regenerated Preston." We
can do this, and we'll emigrate, every man and woman
out of Preston ; and of what value will their mills be
then ? They are only valuable so long as you are here
to work in them. Concentrate your funds ; drain every
bank in the county where you have money ; build fac-
tories of your own, and then there'll be an end of cotton-
lord tyranny, oppression, and despotism. That being
the case, I see no reason to be daunted at any termina-
tion of the struggle. I believe, under any circumstances,
it will end in good. (Cheers.)
Mr. COWELL again recommended arbitration as the
best expedient that could be resorted to for the amicable
settlement of this dispute. It was desirable it should
be settled, because so many were sufferers who had no-
thing whatever to do with the affair. Look at the
drapers (said the speaker). How many mill lasses have
been into the drapers' shops for new dresses during the
'last 30 weeks ? How many young men have been to the
tailors' for coats, waistcoats, and trousers within that
period ? The tailors are telling a dismal tale ; in fact,
the shock is being felt throughout the whole of Preston.
And, yet, notwithstanding all the distress prevailing at
the present time, it would seem that the employers are
determined to lay Preston prostrate at their feet rather
than yield and concede to the factory operatives their
just demand. Mr. Cowell concluded by referring to co-
operation as the only remedy for their grievances.
The crowd pledged itself to continued firmness in the
cause, and cheered lustily for the 10 per cent.

SOUTH WALES (PEMBBOKE LINE) AND THE PENNAR
DOCKS.—The contractors for the construction of the
above works, Messrs. Wythes and Treadwell, are
about to proceed with them with all speed. They
have undertaken to have them finished by the
close of next year, at a cost of 500,0001., this sum
being advanced by the contractors, who have agreed
to take the company's shares for the amount, the
required land being purchased by the company. The
large and maemificcnt docks at Pennar are to be pushed
on without delay, and their completion and the railway
will make the haven a most important one, as on the
voyage home from New York Milford possesses twenty-
four hours' advantage over both Liverpool and South-
ampton, and is accessible at any state of the tide, and
almost with any wind. On the main line the works
from Haverfordwest to Neyland are being carried on
with all expedition, as the
.directors are anxious to open
to the chores of the haven.