THE Mount Ida Chronicle. FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1870.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 50, 14 January 1870, Page 2

THE Mount Ida Chronicle. FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1870.

These has been, for some weeks past, a feeling of uneasiness and discontent in the minds of tlie miners of this district in consequence of the high price at present charged by the water companies for water. The miners complain that the present rate absorbs the whole of their earnings, leaving them no mar-

gin to procure the necessaries of life ; to obtain which they, are therefore compelled to run into debt; and that their situation is daily becoming worse, and their debts and engagements more heavy. Impressed with this conviction a numerously signed petition was last week addressed by the miners to the managers of the companies, calling attention to their grievance, and soliciting

a reduction in the price of water. To this petition a reply, on behalf of the corn panies, was furnished, simply stating that they were unable to comply with its prayer. The feeling of discontent to which we have above alluded upon the receipt of this intimation was extreme, and it was at one time currently believed that there would have been an immediate and general strike. Better counsels, however, we are glad to say, public meeting to discuss the question, and consider how the purpose of reduction could be best effected. The meeting took place in the Victoria Hall on Saturday evening last, and was perhaps ■the largest which has ever taken place on the Hogburn, The whole affair, however, from first to last was badly managed. It was fearfully and shamefully bungled. ]S T o resolution had been prepared, and no persens had been selected to speak on any given point. Consequently as it must ever be in such cases, all was confusion ending in failure It is true Mr. Andrew Brown, as chairman made a few appropriate remarks ; but there the matter ended. JSo one else spoke or attempted to speak: A resolution was proposed, seconded, and carri- d, to the effect, that the.miners should make an.offer to the water companies of 30s. per head per week, aud give them until Thursday next to decide as to 'whether or not they would accept it-—the;implied alternative Being an immediate and general strike.

Even this, however, evidenced a want of that preparation and care which the circumstances of the case demanded. Instead, moreover, of fixing the price which they were willing to pay, and threatening the companies with a strike should they decline to accede, delegates should have been appointed at the meeting, and deputed to wait upon the companies to discuss the question at issue, and ascertain if the difficulty were not possible of solution. As a rule—as it is with individuals so ifc is. with companies—they are frequently willing to make concessions from conviction, or even from many other motives, which they will neither concede to by threatening or extortion. There is one point in this dispute which we cannot but believe the miners >s narting no druht under a sense of a severely high rate) appear to havs forgotten—namely, that anything is worth the price it will fetch in the market, and that that price is simply a matter of supply and demand. If the supply be greater than the demand prices must fall. If, on the other hand, the demand be greater than the supply, high prices must rule. This is a principle so well and so thoroughly established that none will, we think, be bold enough to gainsay it. Supposing that the water companies refuse to accede to the resolution passed at last Saturday's meeting, what, vve ask, would the miners gain by making an "immediate arid general strike?" We. fear they would do themselves immense injury, while inflicting but little injury upon the water companies. Neither would or could a strike be general. There are many claims which, even at the present undoubtedly extremely high rate of water, pay well and handsomely. Is it to be expected that these claims will be abandoned by their owners simply because others, holding less paying ground, desire them to do so ? ¥e think not. Our opinion is that the present attempt to coerce the water companies will result (as is usual inmost cases of strikes) first in failure, then in injury—if not in the ruin—to those who join it. There is one way of meeting the difficulty, and one only, of which • we are aware, namely, that of petitioning .tae. Government to purchase all existing water-rights of the districts In&rNhis branch of the subject space dties not allow us upon the present occasiSri to enter. We purpose, however, to resume our subject in an early issue.