The Sun.
London, England, 1859-07-28 00:00:00

THE STRIKES IN THE BUILDING

I'RADE.

The workmen in the employ of Messrs. 'Frage
and Sons having struck for the purpose of obtain;
ing the payment of ten hours' wages for nine hours
labour, a numerous meeting of master builders was
held yesterday at the Freemasons' Tavern, for the
purpose of taking the matter into consideration,
and adopting such measures as might be expedient
in reference thereto.

The meeting having been addressed by Messrs.
Wales, Piper, Morris, Lucas, and Carr, all of whom
enforced the necessity of using immediate and de-
cisive measures, and some going so far as to recom-
mend the closing of all the firms until the men con-
sented to sign a document to the effect that they
had no connexion with any trade society formed for
the purpose of interfering with or controlling the
regulations of any establishment, the hours or terms
of labour, or the agreements between employers or
employed.
Mr. TROLLOPE moved that the firms close on the
sth of August, and continue so until the workmen.
yield.
Mr. ROBINSON seconded the motion.
Mr. DUNNAGE then moved, as an amendment'
" That the workmen in the employ of Messrs. Trel:
lope and Sons having struck for the purpose of
obtaining the payment of ten hours for nine hours
work, and it appearing to the meeting that it is the
intention of the building trade to order strikes of
the men to take place occasionally, it is resolved
that, in order to combat the movement which has
arisen, the metropolitan builders are but
te
close their establishments on the 6th August ;
taking into consideration the great number of me"
who wholly discountenance the society, that a cam"
mittee of 20 be appointed to consider the best means
of opening the doors to such men as may be willing
to come to work, independently of, and not subject
to, any society's interference."
Mr. PIPER seconded the motion.
Sir M. PETO, M.P., who had entered the room a
few minutes previously, said he would give the
amendment his most earnest and hearty support.
No one could be more desirous than he was to de
everything to encourage the intelligent and indus-
trious artisan, but he could not approve of the man
usurping the position of the master, or having
either of them deprived of their liberty of action
by a society which, in his opinion, was the worst
of all despotisms. (Cheers.) He hoped the master
builders, as well as the public, would give thope
persons the most united and determined resistance'
(Hear, hear.) He and his partners had sacrificed
from £15,000 to £16,000 in consequence" of the
strike that took place among the workmen ere.'
ployed in the Houses of Parliament, and he never
regretted the sacrifice. (Cheers.) He hoped the
meeting would unite as one man and do their duty
to themselves, the non-society men, and the public.
(Cheers.) The object of the union was to reduce
labour to its minimum and prevent the master from
having a fair day's work for a fair day's PaY.'
(Hear, hear.) If the society men succeeded in, the°,
present movement, the difference between ten hours
and nine hours' labour would cost the public
£300,000 a-year. The Government and the public
were sure to support the masters in resisting the
unreasonable demands of the men, and be hope'
therefore that• by unity of action they would. fry'
trate the efforts of a few designing men, who pre-
ferred living by agitation to working with the"
hands. (Cheers.)
Mr. TROLLOPS then obtained leave to withdralt
his motion, and the amendment was unanimously
agreed to.
A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the
proceedings.