The Sun.
London, England, 1866-09-04 00:00:00

Meetings of Colliers.

On Monday one of the largest meetings of colliers
which has ever been held in any part of the country
took. place at Barnsley. To make the demonstration
in every way imposing special trains were run from
various parts of South Yorkshire, so that from an
early hour the town was quite alive with music and
processions of vast bodies of men. At 12 o'clock
they assembled in Church-field, at which time there
could not be less than from 10,000 to 12,000 persons.
A procession was formed, and, preceded by 12 brass
bands, marched to the Beechfield grounds. Mr. J.
Normansell was called to the chair. He stated that
the South Yorkshire Association had during the past
year increased its number by upwards of 3,000, and
had paid large sums to the sick, and no less than
£620 to other trades requiring aid. For the purpose
of compelling all the coal raised to the pit top to be
duly weighed, and which in South Yorkshire was
considered by the miners of the first importance, they
had distributed £1,513, and had paid more than
£4,000 for strikes and lock-outs. The association
were paying ss. a week to the widows of all miners
who were killed while at work in collieries, and Is.
per head to every child under 12 years of age. They
were also establishing a rule for giving to members
a weekly allowance when unable from age or injury
to work. Such being the object of the association,
he entreated all miners who were not members to
join at once, as they would find it to their benefit to
do so. Mr. David Moulson then proposed the follow-
ing resolution in brief terms :—" That this meet-
ing of the miners of South Yorkshire, having felt
the benefits which arise from their being united to
defend their interests—benefits which appear in
their improved social position and the self-respect
resulting therefrom, as well as the confidence in-
spired by the knowledge that they are protected by a
powerful organisation—resolve to continue their
efforts to extend the advantages of the association to
all their fellow-workmen, and, in order to accomp-
lish this, pledge themselves to use their best endea-
vours to increase the membership of the association
and generally to uphold the interests of working
miners." Mr. W. Ward seconded the resolution,
and contrasted the present state of the mining body
with what it was in 1858, when there was no union.
Mr. George Newton, Trades' Council, Glasgow,
supported the resolution. Mr. Philip Casey moved :
" That this meeting desires to tender its sincere
thanks to the men of Thorncliffe, who have for a
period of 36 weeks so nobly resisted the lock-out
imposed on them by their employers, and pledges
itself to support them to the uttermost in still fur-
ther contending for the points at issue, viz., weekly
pays and 5 per cent. advance. The meeting further
rejoices to find that the Drift, Staindrop, and Folly
Main men have latterly come forward to support the
just claims of the men locked out, and expresses the
hope that they will continue to support those claims
with all their power until a satisfactory arrangement
be come to." The resolution was seconded by Mr.
J. Wilkinson, and supported by Mr. Williams, of
Liverpool. Mr. Sidebottom then moved the follow-
ing resolution :—" That experience having shown
the system of inspection of mines under the Mines
Inspection Act is totally inadequate to the require-
ments of mining operations and the safety of those
employed therein, this meeting rejoices that the
matter has been inquired into by a committee of the
House of Commons during thepast session of Parlia-
ment with a view to its amendment, and tender its
best thanks to the Council of the National Associa-
tion of Miners for the efficient manner in which the
complaints of the workmen were laid before that
committee." Mr. Leigh seconded the resolu-
tion, which was supported by Mr. Holmes, Leeds.
Mr. J. Simpson then moved : " That this
meeting is of opinion that the law in relation
to contract of service between masters and
workmen is onesided and unjust, and ought to be
repealed or amended, and seeing that the Select
Committee of the House of Commons have recently
declared the law as it stands to be objectionable, this
meeting hereby pledges itself to support the execu-
tive committee, morally and pecuniarily, in their
endeavours to amend the law by a bill on the sub-
ject next session of Parliament." Mr. Dronfield, of
Sheffield, seconded the resolution. Another meeting
of miners was held yesterday at Chesterfield, at
which 10,000 persons were present.

ANTICIPATED VISIT OF THE QUEEN TO MAN-
CHESTER.—It is reported that the General Purposes Com-
mittee of the Manchester Corporation intend to ask the
Queen to inaugurate the monument erected in honour of
the Prince Consort in Albert-square ; and it is further
stated that the ceremony will take place in November.
The statue, given by the, late Mr. Alderman Goadsby,
has been completed, and almost every other detail finished.
The memorial will be protected by a railing, which it is
said will be the most chaste of anything of the kind to be
found in Europe. The utmost confidence prevails as to
her Majesty's acceptance of the invitation ; and no doubt
whichever member of the royal family has the duty of
inauguration, the citizens will give a right royal welcome.
—Manchester Courier.