The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-03 00:00:00

The Sunday Trading Bill.

Last evening a meeting of masters and journey-
men fishmongers and
poulterers was held at Bryan-
ston Hall, Orchard-street, Oxford-street, for the
purpose of taking steps to support the measure re-
cently introduced into the House of Commons by
Mr. Thomas Hughes, M.P., for the abolition of
Sunday labour. The meeting was well attended,
and was presided over by Mr. Thomas Chambers,
Q.C., M.P.
Mr. C. BILL, the secretary of the Fishmongers
and Poulterers' Committee for the Abolition of
Sunday Labour, opened the proceedings by stating
that the object of the meeting was to put a stop to
Sunday labour by supporting Mr. Hughes's mea-
sure. While, however, the measure had that object
in view by closing shops on Sunday, yet an excep-
tion was made in respect of fishmongers and poul-
terers' shops, which it provided could be kept open
up to 9 o'clock on Sunday morning. On finding
that provision in the bill, the committee met and
resolved on appointing a deputation of their num-
ber to wait on Mr. Hughes and impress upon him
the proprie4y of removing that exception from the
measure.

Mr. CHAMBERS, M.P., then addressed the meet-
ing, and stated that he had always, taken a deep in-
terest in the Sunday question. No doubt there
were differences of opinion as to how the day
should be employed, some thinking that a portion
of it at all events might be profitably set apart for
healthful recreation and social intercourse and en-
joyment; but whatever might be their opinions in
that respect, they were all agreed that in a country
such as this, where the Sunday was kept as a day for
religious duties, it should be maintained iu that re-
pects. One day in seven was, in his opinion, abso-
lutely necessary ; and when he found that peaple
employed in the fish and poultry trades were kept
at work during 16 and 17 hours every week-
day and for nine and ten hours on the Sunday, as
will be confessed, he was astonished how they could
get through their labours. He considered that they
should have the whole of Sunday as a day of rest.
He had to work pretty hard himself, but he con-
fessed that he could not perform the work he had
got to do unless it was for the rest and refreshment
of the Sunday. He was therefore glad when he
heard of the introduction of this measure into the
House of Commons ; and he told Mr. Hughes that
he would give him all the support in carrying it
through the house he could. (Cheers.) It appeared
to him that without the rest of the Sunday a man's
life was made one perpetual round of toil, which it
was never intended it should be ; and that they
should do their utmost to change that state of things
and secure for their labouring population a regular
alternation of
presented to the House of Com-
monsthat a
praying the be
ee
house to alter the
day Trading Bill so as to prohibit the Sunday trade
n labour
then and repose.
aeso
to the effect
i‘ir.
Bo oK
moved resolution
proposed Sun -
Dar.
in fish and poultry entirely.

Dr. BURNS having seconded the resolution, it was
nnanimou6ly adopted.

Another resolution, approving of the bill of Mr.
Hughes if so amended, was proposed by Mr. Edwin
Gilson, of the Haymarket, and seconded by Mr.
Cleary, of the Edgware-road, both of whom stated
that they had adopted the Sunday closing system
for the last six years and found it to answer ad-
mirably.

The resolution was adopted unanimously.
A petition in terms of the resolutions was then
agreed to, and a cordial vote of thanks to Mr.
Chambers for presiding terminated the proceedings.

CONSTITUTIONAL LIBERALISM.
" TPlucz ONz PENNY. A Y."
Office-49, Essex-street, Strand.

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