The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-10 00:00:00

London Labourers' Dwelling Society.

Amongst the many philanthropic societies at present in
existence we know of none with a more important object
in view than the London Labourers' Dwelling Society,
viz., the providing improved habitations for the industri-
ous classes. At the present time, when thousands of small
houses are being swepi away to make room for railways,
the need of improved labourers' dwellings was never more
urgent, and although the noble efforts made by Mr. Pea-
body have done, and are doing, a vast amount of good,
yet much remains to be accomplished. Generally speak-
ing, the titled owners of building space in Lon-
don are little inclined to sanction anything but the
erection of lofty mansions on their property; and
thus while the metropolis is extending its dimensions
every day, the accommodation of the poorer classes is but
little thought of except by those philanthropic gentlemen
who, while they enjoy the blessing of plenty themselves,
occupy their minds with the thought of how to benefit and
administer to the comforts of those not so fortunately
placed. The directors of the London Labourers' Dwelling
Society are amongst the latter class, and the successful
efforts they have already made in providing improved sani-
tary dwellings for the industrious portion of the community
entitle them to praise and honour. A project is now on foot
to increase the operations of the society by raising additional
capital to the extent of £30,000, and for such a laudable
object the help of a few right-minded gentlemen will not
long be wanting. s The society is "limited," and, what is
more, pays 5 per cent. per annum dividend, so that while
ministering to the wants of the industrious class the in-
vestor will not receive a trifling return for his money,
which generally is the case when funds are advanced for
benevolent purposes. A feature in the arrangements of
the directors is that, although they do not wish money to
be placed in the society except as a permanent investment,
they see that occasionally unforeseen circumstances may
arise compelling members to realise their shares, and in
order to meet this they have resolved to create a fund to
take back the shares at par, and hold it until a favourable
opportunity presents itself of placing it elsewhere. The
directors are gentlemen of high standing, and amongst
them is Dr. Greenhill, of Carlisle-parade, Hastings. who
has, in addition, taken upon himself the duty of secretary.
This gentleman will be exceedingly gratified in giving the
fullest information to all who may be disposed to help
on the good work; and we cannot but think that with such
inducements as the society hold out-5 per cent. and per-
fect security—£loo,ooo might as easily be raised as
£30,000.

THE SHEFFIELD FILE TRADE.—A public meeting
was held last evening at St. Martin's-hall, Long-
acre, convened by the London Working Men's Association,
for the purpose of hearing from a deputation from Sheffield
an account of the disputes by which nearly 4,000 opera-
tives in the file trade are locked out. Mr. Upshall, joiner,
who took the chair, said the Sheffield file trade operatives
had appealed to the London trades and the public gene-
rally for their sympathy and support. Messrs. Memmott
and Todd, the deputation, stated the case of the opera;
lives, and were followed by Mr. Broadhead, who repro
sented the Sheffield Trades' Council, who have given their
support to the men locked out. Mr. Daniells, delegate from
the London Tailors, moved—" That this meeting regret to
learn that the employers in the file trade of Sheffield, after
having locked out the men, numbering nearly 4,000, for
ten weeks, have decided to continuo the lock-out for four
weeks longer, regardless of the destitution and want thus
caused among a population of at least 10,000. Therefore,
we resolve to use every effort in our power to forward
weekly subscriptions to the suffering people in Sheffield
during the period of this lock-out." Mr. Strong, secretary
to the Packing Casemakers' Society, seconded the resolu-
tion, which was carried by acclamation. The following re-
solution was then proposed, seconded, and agreed to unani-
mously :—" That as lock-outs have become a common
moans on the part of many great employers of labour to
coerce workmen into their terms, and deny to them the
common right, enjoyed by all other classes, of having some
influence in regulating the value of their skill and time—
therefore the adoption of a common organisation to meet
these proceedings has become indispensable, and this meet-
ing request the London Working Men's Association to
adopt measures for the accomplishment of that object."
The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the
Working Men's Association for its exertions on behalf of
the file trade operatives, and to the chairman for presid-
ing, gad with throe chotre ton the 19gkoalut