The Warwickshire Herald. — 1894-08-09 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

LIVELY MEETING AT ALIDDLETON.  In connection with this Union a meeting was held at the "Stocks Tree" on Wednesday evening for the purpose of forming a branch. There was a small attendance, there being scarcely 50 persons , including a number of boys. Mr. Charles Horley, of Leamington, represented the Union, and amen those present were Meagre. W. Lee., H. Owen,ll. ewbrooke, eta Mr. Horley asked that a chairman should be appointed, and several persons were proposed, but they declined the position. Eventually after much banter Mr. T. Evans consented to take the chair, and amid much laughter, he said he believed they had assembled there to hear from Mr. Henley how they were to get their living without work. It was a thing he had been trying to learn for 15 years and had not found it out vet —Mr. Horley followed, and explained that his object was not to tell them how to get their living without work, but to open a branch of the Warwickshire Agricultural and General Workers' Union. They had come to the conclusion that the agricultural labourer of the country ought to be in a better position—(A Voioe:"And the farmers, too"). The farmers, too; but he wanted to know if the farmer was not in a better position than the labouring man. He wanted to know whoa* fault it was if he was not? He, himeelf, believed it was his own, because instead of cultivating the land in the country the farmers had starved it as they had their labourers— (hear, hear, and "No, no"). They had put the labourer down by tyranny and oppression, and he had come to the conclusion that that tyranny should be abolished. If the labourers wanted to alter their position they must organise—they must combine together like the bricklayers and the mechanics. They had a right to combine, but if they were afraid to through intimidation, ancl would come to the front he would face it out for them in a court of 1aw.„1,4 was in their hands to get better wages. As Mr. Jesse Collins had said, the agricultural labourer was the best man in the country and he was the worst paid. He could tell them why he was the beet skilled man, because he ha 1 to cultivate the food not only for himself, tut for others. The labourer had to toil from Monday morning until Saturday night, and all he got for it was 10e., 11a, 125., or its, a week—(A Voi 7.3 :"They get more than that here"). If they did it was not much more. He urged the labourer when he met the parson or farmer not to look down at his boats, but to look straight at them, for they were no more than themselves—flesh and blood. Why should not the labourer have the privilege of a fair and honest living as had the parson emu farmer? It was their fault if they did not get it If they organised their wages would go up, and if the farmers were dissatisfied then they must go to their landlords. They wanted to see the labourer working 56 hours a week and receiving 4d. an hour for his labour. Be should leave off work at one o'clock on Saturday—(A Voice: "Whose to milk cows, Governor," and laughter). He urged them when they had a Parish Council not to elect the parson or the farmer, but the working men and then they would be able to get the school for their meetings, and not as they had that night to hold them in the open air. Having remarked that during the last ten weeks they had enrolled nearly 2,000 members in the Union he urged all present over 16 years to join the Union. Never mind the parson or the squire. The pareon does not care about the flock, it is the fleece he looks after— (laughter and interruption). He admitted that he was a disturber of the peace for he was sick of it— (Uproar and cries of "Go home," "We are satisfied," and "We don't want your advice"). When comparative quietness bad been restored, Mr. Horsley said, "Now, chaps, come to the front, and let us start a branch of the Union in the village."—The Chairman here interposed, and said the -labourers in that village were as well off as the farmers. They both had to work for their livelihood. What did Mr. Horley want of them but their money, and if they joined the Union he believed they would find it, as he had found many societies, nothing but a mind. He maintained that the labouring men of that village were in as comfortable, if not a better, position than those in many other places. The farmers and labourers there looked after each other's interest—(A Voice: "We have some of the best sort of working men in England in this village, and if they want more wages we will give it). The Chairman was proceeding, amid considerable noise to ndemn Unions in general, when one of the labourers asked him if he would have a drop of whisky. This offer "Tom" appeared inclined to accept, for after once more urging his fellow workmen not to join the Union, he, amid cheers, moved off the green towards the "pub."—Mr. Newbrooke then tried to speak but for some time his voice was drowned by cries of "Cabbage and potatoes," which eventually drew from him the remark that it cost him as much as any of them to live, and Mr. Horley exclaimed, "Well. gentlemen, is there any of you going to make a start?"—Mr. Newbrooke: They are afraid of their employers—(Cries of "No, we are not. We are not going to give you our money to keep you in idleness").—Mr. Horley, turning to Mr. Newbrooke, said "It is no use to stop here—(A Voice: "What about the vegetarian Newbrooke; he lives en what he gets out of the labourers of the village). Are you going to make a start ?—(A Voice: They will not; they have more sense).—Mr. Honey: If you join the Union the farmers here as in another village will commit suicide—(laughter)—or else they will be taken to Hatton.—Mr. Lees, We cannot do without the men, and the men cannot do without us.—Mr. Horley: Are you going to join the Union? Now, chaps, come to the fnaot—ffl proem, and a Voice: We don't want you to poison the men's minds," "Yon  • efiiillta—Mr. Harley: Do you call me nviindlelk."Voice: "Yes, mid you want our pence but you won't have them," and aheers).—After *mother appeal from both Mr. Newbrooke and Mr. Harley to the men to join the Union, the meeting broke up in confusion, Mr. Harley's parting words being se he walked away, "Well, if. you wont join, chaps, you must stop Al you are. If you are frightened at the farmers you must put up with it."