The Sun.
London, England, 1829-01-13 00:00:00

EXTENSIVE TTJRN.OUT at STOCKPORT.

A•seriona and alarming turn-out of the spin-
ners and weavers, in this populous manufactur-
ing; town and neighbourhood, has commenced,
and threatens, we fear, the complete cessation of
business for a considerable tune. In order to
judge of the merits of the question, and to see to
whom blame attaches, it is necessary that we
should examine the demands of one party, and
the complaints of the other. About seven weeks
ago, the turn-out first commenced, at the facto-
ries in Hyde, and about three weeks after, this
example was followed by Mr. Jesse Iloward, of
Stockport. At the time, however, the reduc-
tion was made at Hyde, the masters of that
- place merely came down to the prices of the
Stockport manufacturers. Here, then, the neigh-
bouring manufacturers were placed on the same
level, except that at Hyde the dressers were
paid threepence per cut, when at Stockport
they were paid threepence halfpenny. There
was, however, a special advantage enjoyed
by the Hyde workmen, as there are over-
lookers who are paid two pounds per week, whose
duty it is to assist in the removal of beams, in
case of any accidents which may occur. This
• the Stockport dressers consider .more than equi-
valent to the halfpenny a cut. At this time the
price paid for weaving was about seventeen or
eighteen-pence the cut. 'she reduction proposed
would make the price about fourteen-pence the
cut. At Hyde, the price now paid is about
sixteen-pence, with another great advantage over
the Stockport weavers, the goods manufactured
being of a stronger twist, as they are made of
much better cotton ; the looms in Stockport
proceeding -at not more than ninety picks a
minute, while those at Hyde, in consequence of
the superiority of the material, average at least
120, being at about the rate of nine to twelve.
The reduction in spinning is from fourpence
halfpenny per pound to fourpence ; but we have
reason to believe, that in one factory, we allude
to Mr. Wm. Smith's, the price has been reduced
so low as threepence halfpenny. The reduction,
however, in this branch has been far from ge-
neral. Having stated the prices of this district,
we have to state the prices now paid by
the manufacturers of this town, for the same
description and quality of work, is at least 25
per cent. higher than what was paid in Stock-
port previous to the reduction. 'I his certainly
is a strong argument in favour of the justice of
the men's claims. The masters, however, meet
this by stating that almost all the Manchester
concerns are young—that they have not yet had
sufficient experience in the trade to know what
is, and what is not, a fair and profitable price.
The strongest answer, certainly, which is brought
forward by the masters to the objections of the
workmen, is the simple circumstance, that in
Blackburn, Chcrley, Preston, and other places
in the northern part of the county, the manufac-
turers are paying at least ten per cent. less than
the reduction they propose. In Preston, they
are not allowed more than a shilling per cut, for
what the Stockport manufacturers propose to
allow fourteen or fifteen-pence. In Clitheree,
the mills have been recently filled with out-door
weavers, and they are not paid at the rate of more
than tenpence per cut.
The masters, therefore, contend, with some
appearance of justice, that the reduction is a
measure of self-protection and defence, and that,
unless the payments to workmen are less, it is
impossible they can come into the Manchester
market on a footing of equality with the northern
manufacturers. The question, then, is this
haw cao the Machester manufacturer, pay-
Ho at least 25 per cent. more than the
eockport, and 85 more than the Preston
master, appear in the same market ? and is
the reason which they hare assigned, and to
which we have alluded, cogent anti, satisfactory ?
We believe we have stated candidly the grounds
of difference between the parties. Most sin-
cerely is it to be wished that an amicable adjust-
ment may take place before any of those miss
ehievous and distressing results ensue, which
are the necessary anti inevitable consequences of
protracted disputes between masters and men. At
present it is to be feared such a day is distant,
though, considering the importance of the contro-
versy, and the immense number of the disputants,
(at least en one side) there never was so general
anti universal a turn-out, in which there was so
little ill blood or angry feeling manifested.—
This may be partly owing to the conviction
which the operatives must have that their eisis
players have been in some measure driven to
adopt the steps they have taken, by the still more
unreasonable and tyrannic reductions of their
competitors in trade. Although there are no
less than 15 mills completely at a stand, and at
least near 2,000 persons-who have left their work,
scarce a weaver or Spinner is to be seen in the
streets.- The number of factories in Stockport
and its neighbourhood, is about 45, anti
it is expected that this evening there will not be
less than near 10,000 of the work-people out of
employ—the weavers, in every weaving establish-
ment but two, having given the customary notice
of quitting their work.
At present the dissatisfied have not been com-
pelled to avail themselves of the assistance of
their fellow-workmen, and that portion of the
public who sympathise with them in their suffer-
iaa, and are disposed to support them in the
contest ; but various hand-bills are in circula-
tion, appealing to a " generous public" to " take
their case. into consideration," while they "-are
suffering distress and privation in support of
their own rights and their country's good."—
What effect these appeals may produce is doubt-
fill, though the feeling of the inhabitants of the
town and. neighbourhood, generally, is decidedly
in their favour. But public feeling is capricious
—as untenable as water—more especially when
there is a cos; ;tact draining of what in all turn-
outs is, "the one thing needful." Could no-
thing be done in the settlement of the dispute, by
a joint committee of masters and men, with full
power to act for each body ? For the fact most
assuredly is, that the sooner both parties come
to s just and equitable settlement; 'without being
driven to extremes, the better. Obstinacy, it is
to be feares?, will ultimately injure—not- benefit
either.—Manishestei- Advertiser.

The iron trade of Scotland is carrying on with
its accustomed vivacity ; but a is maul at this period of
the year, the demand is somewhat less. The.prices of thei
different. qualities have been fcr some time unchanged ;
No. 1. pig iron running from 61. to 6/. 19!). a ton ;
which is a rise on the preceding year of 10s. a ton. The
present cold weather is highly- favourable for the opera-
tion of casting, nut only-a fourth more being produced, but
cf the best quality, The new iron work at Coats Bridge
i 3 in a state of great forwarduess ; the building of bla,;t
furnaces and other operations having been for some, time.
going on. There have been several important improve-
ments made at Clyde iron works thii winter. Among these
is an excellent new blast furnace or cone, on a superior.
new English plan, and'collierystalKitil built on the new
ptyle without any scaffoldinp,-. Glits,7olc Chronicle.