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ILABOR AND WAGES. I

NOKTH WALES MINERS' FEDERATION.

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NOKTH WALES MINERS' FEDERATION. DEMONSTRATION IN WREXHAM. IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS*. MR HERBERT LEWIS. M P., ON PAID MEMBERS. j.ne demonstration ot the iNortn vvaies Miners Federation, which is looked for with so much interest by the town and district, was held in Wrexham on Monday, and proved successful in every way. The Federation, which demonstrated" in such numbers on the Racecourse, is an organisation of much value, It is practically a colliers' trade union, because every- one who works in or on any colliery upon the North Wales coalfield is supposed to be a member of it. We say "supposed," because, unfortunately, some men have not yet identified themselves with the move- ment, the sole "object of which is to enable the men, should the necessity ever arise, to defend their own rights and privileges. Each set of federation work- men at every colliery elects a delegate, and these gentle'nen meet monthly in Wrexham to transact business. Mr George Rowley, of Brynkinalt Colliery, is the president for the year, and an admirable chair- man he makes. Mr S. George (Plaskynaston), is the treasurer, while Mr 1. T. Williams, the very efficient agent, acts as secretary. Mr Williams holds a most important office. He has not only to act as secretary of the Federation, which is. perhaps, the smaller part of his duty, but he has to be the ambassador of the men should any differences arise. Already he has been successful in settling a number of small disputes, and the tact and ability he has shown have won the approbation of masters and men. The growth of the Federation since the appointment of Mr Williams has been marked, and there is no doubt that the men are at present most admirably led. We hope they will "possess their souls in patience," and work on perfecting their Union. Returning to the demonstration, it is not perhaps generally known that it was only settled within the last few days that the gathering should be held in Wrexham. In consequence of the scant attention paid by the town on the last occasion, the Federation felt slighted, and it was suggested that Chester would have given the miners a more cordial reception. However, it was resolved to give "Wrexham another opportunity, and we think no miner could find reasonable ground for complaint. All the principal places of business had flags, while such institutions as the Reform and Conservative Clubs exhibited similar signs of welcome. The day was dull, but no rain fell until late in the evening. The attendance at the Racecourse was large, but there is no doubt many persons visited the town who did not take part in the demonstration on the course. The proceedings of the day began at one o'clock, when the miners met in the Beast Market, and formed one long procession, which marched to the Racecourse, through the gaily decorated streets, to the music of bands from Rhos, Coedpoetli, Flint and Southsea. The speeches were delivered from the grand stand, on which admirable arrangements were made for the speakers. ]3efore tbc opening of the business, Eos Brymbo sang" Hen Wlad," and the audience joined in the chorus with much vigor. Mr loan Williams, the agent, announced that Sir George Osborne Morgan, Bart., M.P., who had been announced to preside, had forwarded the following latter :— Great Malvern, September 8th, 1892. Dear Sir,—Your letter, owing to some mistake, has only just reached me here. I greatly regret that in con- sequence of the death of my brother (which only occurred this week) I am not taking part in any public function at present, and I must therefore, with much re- gret, decline your very kind invitation to preside at your annual demonstration. Wishing you a very successful meeting.—I am, your very truly, G. O. MORGAX. Mr 1. T. Williams. Mr Williams moved that Dr. Parry Jones should take the chair. This was seconded by Mr Rowley and carried. The Chairman, who was cordially received, said he was a very poor substitute for the right hon. gentle- man whom they expected would have presided. (Hear, hear.) He had been called upon very suddenly to take the chair, the duties of which he felt himself unable to adequately perform. He believed that there was once a time in the history of the country when workingmen were not looked upon as the power they had now made themselves felt to be. The workingman was to be found everywhere now. (Hear, hear.) They found him in Parliament, and on -the magisterial bench. He hoped that the colliers of Denbighshire would soon be represented on the County Council by their very excellent agent. (Cheers.) There was a long programme to go through, and he thought he would best fulfil the duties of his post if he at once proceeded with the I business of the day. (Cheers.) j onnAXISATIOX. I Mr George Rowley, president of the Federation, expressed the pleasure it gave him to see ladies pre- sent. because he believed that there were a lot of ladies who were good union men." (Laughter.) The resolution which he had to move, and which was of great importance to them as miners, was as follows That we, the minors of North Wales, be- lieve that the advanced position of miners is mainly due to organisation, and therefore pledge ourselves to remain loyal to our Association and the Federation of Great Britain, and further, to use our utmost endeavour to induce our workmen who are outside to become members of the same, believing it to be the best and only way whereby our rights and privileges can be maintained." (Cheers.) There were some who told them that it was wrong to organise. But how could they expect to secure those rights and privileges which they wanted unless they were united. Organisation meant united effort, not every man for himself, but for each other. It was easy to be a union man when the days were bright, but no doubt clouds would come, and then the true men would be tested. He invited the miners to unite for the pro- tection of their own interests, and pointed out that the masters were well organised. They should re- member that the increased wages they at present had was due to the efforts of the Federation. (Cheers.) Mr David Jones (Wrexham and Acton Colliery), in seconding the resolution, pointed out the excellent position in which Lancashire was at present, and asked why North Wales should not be as efficiently organised as the men in the county he had named. He believed that the rules which had been prepared were now ready for circulation, and thought there was no doubt that the membership of the Federa- tion would be largely augmented. (Cheers.) ROYALTIES. Mr David Griffiths (Flint) proposed the following resolution That we, the miners of North Wales, desire to express our dissatisfaction at the way in which the mining industries of the country are taxed by mine royalties, dead rents, and wayleaves. and we are strongly of opinion that they should become the property of the nation, to he used for national purposes. and to benefit the working classes generally." In doing so, he said that the effect of these mine rents, royalties, and way" leaves upon national industries was very great. Sir Isaac Lowthian Bell, in his o. Principles of the Manufacture of Iron and Steel," estimated the royalties on a ton of pig iron from ironstone, coal, etc., to amount to about 3s 6d a ton in the Cleveland district, 6s in Scotland, and 6s 3d in Cumberland, while in Germany it would only be 6d, in France 8d, and in Belgium Is 3d or Is 4d. In 1885 a company in West Cumber- land had eight blast furnaces, four of which were idle. not because the firm had no work, but because of the high royalty demanded by the landowner. (•• Shame.") The company applied, but unsuccess- fully, for a reduction, and in order to fulfil their contracts had to import iron from Belguim, while half their furnaces and consequently half their workmen were idle. Each blast furnace produced 600 tons of iron per week. the royalties on which amounted to S202, while the wages paid for its pro- duction only amounted to S95. (Shame.) Failing to obtain a reduction, the Company obtained land in America and transferred their works there. The Ecc lesiastical Commissioners were the largest owners of minerals in England. It was very kind indeed on the part of their pious ancestors to hand over to the monks in the olden time the power to charge almost what they liked for the privilege of digging out minerals. (Laughter.) He trusted every man in North Wales who had a vote would do his utmost to impress upon the members of Parliament the necessity of obtaining the royalties for national purposes. Mr Samuel George (Plaskynaston) seconded the resolution in an effective Welsh speech. Mr loan Williams, the miners' agent, speaking in support of both resolutions, said the question of royalties, in some form or other. was drawing the attention of the thoughtful reformers of the age, and he was not surprised, because mining royalties affected them all, not only the miners, but the general public. (Hear, hear.) They increased the cost of every article manufactured in the country, and he believed it would be an insult on their common sense as miners to allow their annual demonstration to pass without taking hold of the opportunity to express, in the most emphatic manner, their dissatis- faction and disapproval of the system which now existed in Great Britain with regard to the mining royalties, because those laws, in his opinion, were the most unjust and oppressive laws in existence. (Applause.) How many of their employers who had iiin-ested their capital to open collieries for the sake of finding the men work, so as to enable them to earn their daily bread, were compelled to pay hundreds of thousands of pounds for coals which they had not worked? (Hear, hear.) He was speaking recentlv with one of the largest employers in North Wales, and he told him that he was paving hundreds of pounds every year for coal which he had not reached. He asked them was there any justice in such laws ? (No.) And he did not believe that the word justice was in the dictionary of those who passed such laws in the House of Commons; and the time had arrived when such laws should be abolished, and British I workmen placed on as fair conditions as their fellow- workmen on the Continent. (Applause.) As things were now, the British workmen were unable to com- pete in the same markets as continental miners, for the reason that mining royalties were so much higher in Great Britain than they were in foreign countries. On every ton of coal produced in Great Britain there was an average tax of about 8d per ton, and on every ton of ore an average tax of about Is 3d per ton imposted, as royalties; and this, although in itself enormous, did not represent the full amount of this 'I". T'I r _1_J:- crippnng tax. jseiore a ton ot pig iron was piacea in the market, the royalty taxes, which were levied on the different classes of iron, varied from 3s 6d to 6s 3d per ton, while in Germany, France, and Belgium they were only from 6d to Is 3d per ton. Therefore the English workmen were under a great difficulty in competing with other nationo and more than that, the royalties in Great Britain were paid to a few individuals but in foreign countries they were paid to the State. (Applause.) And if the few individual landlords of Great Britain were to be allowed to con- tinue to tax coal the same as they taxed materials for iron and steel, the same thing exactly would happen to their coal industries as had happened to the iron and steel. And what is that? Why, nearly the whole of those industries had been lost to Great Britain, while they thrived in Germany, France, and Belgium, where they were not hampered by royalties. (Applause.) Some years ago Great Britain was the manufacturing market of the world for iron and steel but what was the case to-day ? Even n Wales alone their immense work- were at a standstill, and grass grew where once the melting liezlt built the fortunes of the land. The greed of the landlords made it impossible to reach the iron ore, and now it was for ever impossible for them to compete with foreign countries. He asked them, his fellow-workmen, were they to witness the same awful calamity in the coal trade ? (No.) Were a few persons who neither toil nor spin for their money to be allowed to spoil their national resources ? (No.) Were they to be driven out of the market by a few individuals ? Was it possible, in the nineteenth centuryr that the greed of a few who had taken possession of the earth which God gave to the sons of men should ruin their coun- try ? He said Yes," and this they would do if they were allowed to extract continually about seven I millions of money out of the bone and sinew of the workmen, and out of the capital invested by their employers. Therefore he considered it was high time for them to come out and raise- their voices against such an unjust and oppressive law, and do their utmost to have them changed, so as to have this seven millions of money applied in the right way, and for the interest of the British workman generally. (Loud applause.) Mr Williams, in suppoiting the resolution in favor of organisation, which he did with much vigor, pointed out that the Federation of Great Britain was growing, for during the past six weeks 45,000 men in Durham had joined, whilst in North Wales 1,000 new members had been enrolled within the last year. He hoped that continued efforts would be made to extend the use- fulness and membership of the Federation. (Cheers.) PAYMENT OF MEMBERS. I Mr I. Ll. Thomas moved the following resolution That we, the miners of North Wales, believe in I the necessity of working men being represented by men of their own class in Parliament, and that this is more acutely felt at each succeeding election there- fore we are strongly of the opinion that payment of members is inevitable at an early period, and that we hereby resolve to do all we can in favor of the same." (Cheers.) Mr William Williams (Plaspower) seconded the resolution in appropriate terms. Mr J. Herbert Lewis, M.P., who, on rising to sup- port the resolution, was received with much cheering, prefaced his remarks by a. few sentences in Welsh. Continuing, Mr Lewis said the object of the resolu- tion was to aid in placing the parliamentary repre- sentation of all classes in the country upon an equal footing. The reforms in the franchise effected during recent years had been most important, and their effects had been far-reaching. (Hear, hear.) He was at that moment addressing a number of electors who would not be voters that day but for the Franchise Act passed by Mr Gladstone seven years ago. (Ap- plause.) Many of them had no reason to complain of the way in which they were represented now. He did not believe that the electors present from East Denbighshire were in any way dissatisfied with their representative, or with the increased majority he obtained at the last election. (Applause.) But other constituencies were not in the happy position of having representatives so devoted to the cause of labor as Sir G. O. Morgan. (Hear, hear.) And when they regarded the representation in Parliament of the country as a whole, they found that while among the electorate the working classes preponderated enormously, among members of Parliament they were extremely few in number. The claim they made was both modest and reasonable. They asked that the class to which they belonged—the class which could least afford—should not be the only class which had to pay for the privilege of sending its representatives to Parliament. (Hear, hear.) They asked that the working classes should have a due share in the government of the country, not only by their own votes at general elections, but also by the votes of their representatives in Parlia- ment. They might be told that class representation was a thing to be avoided. He should be very sorry to see the House of Commons made an assembly representative only of classes or trade interests. But what they saw was that a great anomaly existed, that to perpetuate the existing state of things was to allow a grievous injustice. (Hear, hear.) The greatest and most important class of all was repre- sented by an insignificant number of members. (Applause.) The few already in the House com- manded the greatest respect. Lancashire was proud of Samuel Woods and Wales was proud of Mabon. (Applause.) Judging from the labor members now in the House, one of the greatest advantages to Parlia- ment and to the nation would be a substantial in- crease in their number. (Applause.) There were many who regarded this reasonable proposal as some- thing new and revolutionary. In reality, the practice of paying members was both ancient and constitu- tional. It formerly prevailed in the United King- dom, and to adopt it would only be reverting to the old and wholesome practice of constituencies paying members instead of members paying constituencies. It was the practice of all continental States except Italy, where it was forbidden in the Constitution. There was no payment of members in Russia or Turkey, be- cause there were no members to n (T Th" t"J' \U6.V. rule of payment was adopted in almost all civilised countries of the world which possessed Parliaments, and there was no reason why their own ancient and constitutional practice, which was neither new nor revolutionary, should not be revived. Other people, for whose opinions neither he nor they cared a brass farthing, thought it would result in the unspeakable calamity of lowering the social status of the House of Commons. The House of Commons was something more than a social club. Anything which tended to increase the quantity and improve the quality of the work done by Parliament, elevated it in the eyes of the people, and that was infinitely more important than the maintenance of social status. Others objected that to receive salaries would be degrading to members of Parliament. To that he replied that ministers of the Crown drew salaries ranging from S5,000 to £ 10,000 a year. and that noble lords did not consider themselves degraded by receiving pensions of £ 2,000 a year, even when they had already drawn from the public purse X5,000 a year for many years. (Hear, hear.) And yet people who saw no harm in that, would argue that a member of Parliament would be degraded by receiving JE300 a year for his services to the country, and his expenses of attending Parlia- ment. Of course, the greatest objection of all to the proposal was, that it would cost money. There would be more force in this objection if it did not chiefly arise from those who were most ready to increase royal grants, to defend perpetual pensions, and to expend extravagant sums upon the army and navy. The fact was that it would save money—(hear, hear)—and that it would tend to better the conditions of life of the working classes. If payment of members had prevailed for some time past, such subjects as the land laws. mining royalties, pensions and registration laws, woukl to-day he in a, far more satisfactory position. (Hear, hoar.) But when the members paid constituents instead of constituents paying members, what could they ex- pect? (Hear, hear.) When the working-classes did get better representation, as he hoped they soon would, their members would take the best and most efficacious means of enabling the legislature to get through its work. (Applause.) In the ordinary affairs of life the rule was different to that which prevailed in the government of this wonderful country. If a trades- man's business increased to such an exLnt as to make his shop insuiTIcient for his trade, he enlarged his premises and started branch shops. If in a grow- ing town there were a post office which had become too small for the necessities of the population, the Government would enlarge the post ofnce. and if it refused to do so the people of the district would want to know the reason why. (Applause.) It was well to have a certain period for mature consideration, but when measures of prime importance were hum: up, while abuses grew mountains high—abuses from which the working-classes in the end suffered most of all— thedelay became an intolerable nuisance and a positive danger to the body politic. (Applause,) What had the payment of members, it would be asked, got to do with expediting legislative work ? This—that when the House of Commons was composed of members whose sense of responsibility to their con- stituents was enhanced by the payment they received, they would be far more anxious to make things move on than they were at present. (Hear, he?r.) They would not "allow the excuse of "want of time" to hold good. (Hear, hear.) Next session the new Parliament would set about clearing off the vast arrears of legislation which had been accumulating for years past. But already the opponents of measures beneficial to the working classes were prophesying that the Ministry would be totally unable to find time to carry them through. The prophets had the means, to a certain extent, of ful- filling their own predictions. They could help to delay good measures indefinitely. They might make them wait for some reforms with that deferred hope which maketh the heart sick. It was therefore the duty of the people's representatives to clear the way —to settle as quickly as possible the two great ques- tions "lhich blocked the way, and then go in for Home Rule all round. (Applause.) That was what would give to the working classes that voice in legislation to which they were entitled. (Applause.) The branch establishments would relieve the congestion of busi- ness in the old store—(hear, hear)—or, to use a simile which miners would understand even better, they must sink a fresh shaft, which would be useful both for winding and ventilation. (Applause.) He asked them to support the resolution on the ground of fairness to the working classes and advantage to the nation, of which they formed the greatest part. (Loud applause.) EIGHT IIOVRS. Mr Thomas Hughes, Plaspower Colliery, said he ha.d a resolution to move upon the eight hours question, and he thought it was the most important that had been brought before them. (Hear, hear.) The resolution was as follows :—" That we. the miners of North Wales, in mass meeting assembled, do hereby desire to express our entire approval of the eight hours question at present before the country, and that we consider that the only effective means of dealing with the said question is legislative enact- ment, and therefore we strongly urge upon the Government to pass a Bill in the next session of Par- liament, making eight hours from bank to bank the maximum working-day." (Applause.) Mr Samuel Roberts, Hafod Colliery, seconded. Mr T, Sauvage, Cefn, in supporting the resolution, said the two things it laid down were eight hours a day for miners from bank to bank, and eight hours a day by legal enactment. He thought everybody would admit that eight hours ivas quite long enough for a man to work in the bowels of the earth, and he was prepared to maintain that there was no economic objection to an eight hours day. (Hear, hear.) That had been demonstrated by the miners of Durham and Northumberland, who only worked from seven to seven and a half hours a day. (Hear, hear.) He was referring to the coal cutters, and he must say that a great deal of selfishness was shown by the Northumberland and Durham men, for, while he found that the coal cutters worked those short hours, the laborers worked from ten to eleven hours a day. ("' Shame.") It WAS a burning shame, and if their representatives voted against an eight hours' dzin-, they were the meanest and shabbiest of the delegates at the recent Trades Congress. (Hear, hear.) Some said that the colliers already had an eight hours' day, but by a statement issued by Mr Thomas Ashton, secretary of the Miners' Federation, in 1890, it was shown that, in the counties of Lanca- shire and Cheshire, the men at one colliery worked twelve hours a day, at two they worked eleven hours a day". at 40 from 10 to 10:t hours a da.y, at 66 from nine to nine and a half hours, at 54 from eight to eight and a half hours a day, at six from se\en and a quarter to seven and a half hours a day, and at one they only worked seven hours a day. (Hear, lietir.) r, t J t t -Liie demand ot the miners was tor an eigne nours day from bank to bank, and that by a legal enact- niint, and they went further, and said that the British House of Commons had no right to refuse the almost unanimous wish of the Miiners for an eight hours' day. (Hear, hear.) J't. was said that what they wanted could be got by a voluntary arrange- ment between the miners and their employers, but he had only to refer to the great strike upon the Scotch Railways to demonstrate the futility of such a, course. The men then asked for a ten hours' day, but although they were sup- ported by a strong organisation, and although they had public opinion in their favor, yet after five weeks they had to return to work, having failed to secure what they sought. Who were the men who opposed all eight hours' day ? Were they the men who knew what it was to work in the bowels of the earth ? No. the men who opposed it were for the most part men who had never done a hard day's manual Labor in their lives. They said those men had no right to oppose them, and if the miners only united and made a determined effort, he ventured to say that before many years they would have securel an eight hours day from bank to bank, and that by legislative enactment. (Applause.) He had great pleasure in supporting the resolution, and he appealed to those men who still remained outside the Federa- tion to join at once. If they were only strong and determined. and made their demands clear, then they were sure to succeed. (Applause.) The resolution was carried. VOTE lW CONDOLENCE WITH SIR GEORGE OSBORNE I MORGAN. Mr G. Rowley moved the following resolution That we, the miners of North Wales, in mass meeting, beg to offer our condolence and synipathy with the Hight Hon. Sir George Osborne Morgan, M.P.. in his recent bereavement, and trust that he will soon be restored to he Ith and strength." Mr J. Herbert Lewis, in seconding, said he felt sure it was a. resolution which would find an echo in the hearts of every miner and every Welshman. (Hear, hear.) The miners were proud of Sir George Osborne Morgan as a. miners' representative Welshmen were all proud of him as a Welshman who had rendered great services to his country. and especially to the working classes of the country. (Applause.) He most heartily called upon them to support the resolu- tion, and to give three cheers for Sir George Osborne Morgan. The resolution was carried, and the cheers were heartily given. VOTES OF THANKS. Mr David Jones, Rhosddu, said that, as they knew, there had been some talk of holding the demonstra- tion at Chester. That was owing to the way in which the tradesmen received them last year, but he thought they had been well received that day, and lie moved a vote of thanks to the tradesmen for putting out tiags that day. Mi John Garston, Padeswood, seconded, and it was carried. Mr Gougli, Rhosddu, moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, Dr. Parry Jones. Mr G. Rowley seconded, and the resolution was carried by acclamation. A similar compliment was paid to Mr J. Herbert Lewis, on the motion of the agent, Mr loan Wil- liams, seconded by Mr David Griffiths. Mr Lewis and the Chairman replied, and the meet- ing terminated. We learn that a telegram was read from Mr Lloyd George. M.P., regretting his inability to attend. The following letter was sent by Mr S. Woods, M.P. :— Ilose Villas, ISryn, Wigai, Sejitcinbcr 16th, 1892. DEAII Silt WILLIAJIS,—I much regret to say it is quite impossible for me to conic. I have been try ins to arransc, but find it quite out of my power. I should have been delighted to have been with you. I know my friends will excuse me under the circumstances. Wishing yell every success.—Yours truly, S. WOODS. The following letter was also received by Mr loan Williams :—" Cynlas, Car we 11, North Wales, Septem- V i l liztiiis,-l aiii iiiiieli ber 1st. 1892. Dear Mr Williams,—I am much honored by your invitation. I should have been delighted t; come, but I have made all arrangements to have a short holiday on the continent with a few friends, so as to store up health and strength for the winter and the coming session. The 19tli will be in the very middle of my stay in Switzerland. Wishing you not only a successful demonstration, but an early and generous recognition of your rights and duties.— Faithfully yours, THOMAS E. ELLIS."

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