The Waikato Times. AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2215, 18 September 1886, Page 2

The Waikato Times. AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equ.il and exact justice to all men, Ot whatsoever state ot persuasion, religious or political.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 18, 1886.

Ix previous issues we brought the history of labour up to the end of the 18th century. We have now to deal with the present century. During its first twenty years the price of wheat was on the average 98s 6d the quarter, or nearly 16^ times as much as during the period 1260-1540, when the price was con stant, except in famine years. In 1800 the artisan in London received on an average 18s a week, which rose about 75 per cent, during the years of dearth, falling again in seasons of plenty ; in the country he received about a third less. The agricultural labourer received, according to Arthur Young, 10s a week from 1799 to 1803, 12s from 1804 to 1810, 12s 9d in 1811-13; by 1818 these rates had sunk to 10s 6d, by 1820 to 8s sd, in 1821 to 7s 4d, and in 1822 to 7s ; this represents the lowest point, as in 1824 they were 9s 4d. When wages were at their highest, wheat was at 126s 6d per quarter ; when at their lowest, in 1822, at 44s 7d, which rose in 1824 to 63s lid. Even in 1813, Young calculates that these wages were below the cost of necessary food, omitting all consideration of rent, fuel, clothing or extras. They were supplemented by parish allowances proportioned to the number of children, an ingenious device which, as we have pointed out before, threw some half of the cost of labour on the rates, paid largely by non-employers. In fact, in many close parishes by pulling down cottages and taking advantage of the Law of Settlement, the poor rates were nil, so that employers paid half their labour bill at the expense of the ratepayers of neighbouring parishes. The mischief here did not cease with the pure economical effect, though the system of parish allowances to able-bodied men removed all prudential restraint, in fact offered a premium, on early marriage. The moral effect was far more deplorable. Leaving out of consideration the habitual training of the employing classes to dishonesty, the system which refused the labourer his fairly-earned wage, while it offered him legal charity, destroyed his self-respect and pauperised him, thus reducing him to that dead level of hopeless, sullen acquiescence in his lot, from which he is only of late emerging ; contented acquiescence we cannot call it, still less discontented, as discontent implies enough energy to object. We have seen that even at his highest wages the labourer had not enough to live on. Other causes than high prices contributed to this. The long war laid a crushing weight o r taxation on his back. Landlords with high rents, farmers with high

prices, manufacturers with patent monopolies and large profits, could afford to pay for the war, which largely contributed to such conditions, but the taxation fell with crushing weight on labour. The factory hand was worse off than the labourer, for great as was the enormously and steadily increasing demand for labour, it was an impartial demand for labour of all ages and both sexes. Hardest of all was the fate of such classes as handloom weavers who long either could or would not adapt themselves to altered circumstances. No wonder they broke out in riots of machine-breaking, looking, as they naturally did, on machines as taking the bread out of their mouths. The bastard Tory Ministries of the Regency, succeeding to the narrowness and intolerance of the Whig oligarchy which had governed England for the best part of the 18th century, found no relief for this but " the six Acts " and similar murderous enactments. Inevitably as distress follows temporarily on such revolutions in manufacturing methods, it was particularly hard on the sufferers that it should have occurred at a period of war, famine prices, enormous taxation, and a depreciated currency. The latter was an additional aggravation of the poor man's lot. In 1813, the premium on gold was nearly 30 per cent., so that real wages were not much more than two-thirds their nominal value. As previously pointed out such depreciation presses most heavily on the most ignorant, and those who cannot afford to dispute about or wait for their earnings, while it offers a rich harvest to the unproductive but moneyed speculator. With 1835 came the sharp and incisive surgery of the New Poor Law. Space forbids us to enter at length into its provisions. Suffice it to say that it inaugurated a complete reversal of the Elizabethan system as heretofore practised. It aimed at the excision of outdoor relief, by cutting off the allowances supplementary of wages, requiring a labour test from the able-bodied poor, and forcing the feeble and aged into "the House." As usual and inevitable, its introduction led to great temporary suffering, which a harshness of administration that may not unfairly be called congenial to its spirit did not tend to diminish. But under it has grown a far healthier spirit of in- ! dependence than was possible under the distinctly pauperising system which it superseded. Its introduction was marked by a rise in wages to 10s 4cl in 1837, representing probably in part the old allowances. We have previously alluded to the laws against combination as weakening the position of labour. These culminated in 39 and 40 George 111., cap. 106. By this thoroughgoing law all agreements between workmen for obtaining advance of wages, reduction of hours, or any other changes in tho condition of work, were punished on summary conviction before two justices by two months' imprisonment. This was the last attempt to suppress trades unions, and it was now found that, incapable of suppressing, the Legislature could only make them secret conspiracies. Some societies even boldly defied the law, as the Liverpool shipwrights, who used to drag a loaded cannon round the town with them. In 1824, mainly by the efforts of Mr Joseph Hume, Parliament led by Huskisson repealed the long series of thirty-five Anti-Combination Acts so far as they forbade meetings to agree on wages. Numerous unions were soon formed, but the judges discovered that the common law ag«xinst combinations was still alive and in the notorious Dorsetshire labourers' case in 1834 inflicted a sentence of seven years' imprisonment for a mere strike. Under the Plantagenets we find the judicial bench ever ready to interpret the law in favour of personal freedom, but the taint of the evil traditions of the Stuarts is still seen in the exaggerated importance it now attaches to property. Such limited toleration was all the favour extended to trades unions for some time. Being deemed illegal, ns acting in restraint of trade, they were excluded from registration under the Friendly Societies Acts till 1871, and more fully in 1876. In ; consequence they were frequently robbed by their officers without any practical redress at law. Theoretically the law of partnership perhaps gave a remedy, but the difficulty of proving such where subscriptions were counted in shillings or pence, and the cost of proceedings left the embezzler practically unpunished trades unions have now remedy on summary conviction for fraud on the part of their officers, and can hold land or other property, or carry on legal proceedings through trustees. Strange to say they were slow to avail themselves of these privileges on the sole condition of registration, as in 1878 only 177 were registered as compared with 17,776 societies of other kinds. In another direction, that of restraint, the legislation of the 19th century in its care for the labouror contrasts with previous labour laws. We allude to the various socalled Factory Acts. Laws in restraint hitherto restricted wages or rights of combination; these restrict hours of labour or privileges of carelessness on the part of employers. The elder Sir Robert Peel's Act in 1802 was the first attempt to limit the hours of labour for children ; it fixed them at not more than twelve, and made education in the "three R's " compulsory. The ago at which children can be employed is first limited by the Act of 1819, which fixes the limits at 9 to 16 years ; Hobhouse's Act in 182.5 reduces working hours for children to nine, and forbids work in meal times ; by Lord Althorp'sAct of 1833 the attendance of children at school is made

compulsory, so that factory children have now had something liko education for half a century. Passing ovor several Acts wo come to the groat consolidating Act of 1878, and briefly sum up tho present amount of protection extended to tho labourer by what it is the fashion in some quarters to sneer at as grandmotherly legislation. Tho employment of children under ton years of ago in any factory or workshop is absolutely prohibited, a rule extended by tho Elementary Education Act to all industry ; under sixteon a certificate of fitness must be obtained ; children aro to work only on tho half-time systom, dividing tho day between work and school, or attending each on alternate days ; 4j hours in textile factories, 5 in others, are the longest hours young people can be employed without an interval for meals, and these only within certain regulated hours ; a Saturday halfholiday is provided. The extreme limit for young persons under these provisions is 56£ hours in textile, and 60 hours iv non-textile,factories per week. As regards women they are classed with young porsons, and their employment underground is absolutely forbidden. No direct restriction is imposed on adult male labour, but indirectly in many factories the hour which emancipates women and children necessitates the stoppage of work generally. The only provisions directly affecting adults are the prohibition of the truck system, the regulations re fencing machinery, and the conditional liability of the employer for accidents caused by his own defect or that of any employee of his in a position of trust. How far such legislation should be extended is a question hotly disputed. We have said enough to show the tendency of Parliamentary interference with labour of late years. The question naturally arises, Has the labourer recovered the favourable position he occupied from 1260 to 1540? We fear that the answer in most eases must be in the negative. The proof however involves so many and such intricate considerations that we must postpone its discussion for the present. At any rate since the introduction of Free Trade his position has been greatly ameliorated. In the ten years 1831-40 the average price of wheat was almost exactly .57s per quartor, for the ten years 1875-1884 4.5s ; this is calculated to make a difforonoo in the ordinary consumption of a labourer's family of about 8(1 per week. As regards wages tho averago for farm work is returned in 1887 at 10s 4d, in 1860 at Us 7d, aud for 1866 Professor Levi sets them down at 13s Against these facts must bo set a rise in rent, curtailment of allotments and commonage, etc. The most encouraging feature about the hind's position is the fact that he has at last learned to combine, and with the example of artisans' Unions before him and the advantage of education, will probably avoid many of tho errors into which the latter have run. This again, the question of Trades Unions, requires an essay to itself. This resume of the history of wages will at any rate show that for the past fifty years the intentions of legislators have been honest and the tendency of their work equitable. It will also, wo hope, have laid bare some of the causes of the inequality of wealth. To apply the lessons here legible, to investigate into the further contributing conditions to such inequality, and to deduce from these the appropriate remedies will probably occupy our attention before long.

A report of the Cambridge RMCourt yesterday is unavoidably held over.

Mr 0. Rogers is the successful tenderer for the ploughing contract on Mr Bell's farm at the Narrows.

Creditors in Harry Symonds estate, will be. pleased to learn that a dividend is now payable.

We are requested tol state that owing to the inability of the Rev. R. OC. Biprgs to visit Tamahere to-moirmv, theie will be no service at S. Stephen's Church.

The football match, Hamilton v Alexandra and Kihikilii (combined), will be played at Te Awamutu to-day, commencing at 11 a.m.

The sale of the Rev. J. Q. Wilson's furniture, which took place on Wednesday last, was largely attended, and fair prices were obtained. Mr Wilson left by yesterday's train en routo for Australia.

It will be seen that the Claudelands racecourse authorities are about to take a step in advance. They are now calling for tenders for fencing and for ploughing the race track.

The opening day of the tennis season at Hamilton ha? been postponed to Saturday, the 16th October. To-morrow was to have been the day, but the weather is too unsettled yet.

It is announced in this issue that the comedy of "Our Boys" will be repeated in the Oddfellows' Hall, Hamilton East, on Tuesday, _ the sth October, to raise funds for painting the parsonage fence of S. Peter's.

The following tenders have been received by the Waikato Land Association for the five miles of chaining lately advertised for by them : — M. Shanaghan and party, 12s Gd per chain (accepted) ; Hone Paua, 13s ; James Shine, 15s lOd ; Kelly and Glcazer, 10's (id; Daniel Dillon, l(>s lid.

At the R.M- Court, Cambridge, yesterday, Chas. Crouch was charged with being drunk while in charge of a horse in Victoria-street on the 13th inst. The accused, who pleaded not guilty, was in a drunken condition, and the case was put down to the end of the list. At the conclusion of the other business the c.iso was again brought on, when Constable Brennan proved the charge, and accused was lined ss, and costs £2 <>s. A prohibition order was also issued against him.

On Sunday week the friends of the Cambridge Tabernacle intend holding their anniversary .services, when Pastor Spurgeon is expected to pi each morning and evening. On the Tuesday following they intend celebrating their fourth anniversary with a Noiree. At the e\ening meeting Mr G. O. Griffiths will be inducted into the pastorate of the church by Pastor Spurgeon and the Rev. ,). Hughes Jones, of Auckland. The local ministers will also deliver addrewNes, and the choir will render selections of suitable music. To-morrow (.Sunday) Pastor Griffiths will preach morning and e\ening.

The long Standing dispute between Mr Johnston, tho representative of Raiigirin in the Waikato County Council, and tho engineer of that body, in record to the me.isiuempnt of Ca-,by'-> cutting in the* W.'i<M'enj?.'i district, h.is at last boon settled to tlu». satisfaction ot Mi S.inde*. The cir cumstances will be fie.sh in the mind* of our readers. On Wednesday, Air John Gwynneth, C.l']., in company with Mr

Kandes and (Jr. Johnston, measured the cutting and found that, so fur from Mr Saudus bumj? about lOOydd. out in hi-* measuioment, as contended by Mr Johnson, tho discrepancy only amounted to some two yards. Had Mr Johnston's statement proved correct, Mr S-mdes would have paid Mr IJwyiineth's expenses, but now tho l>urdon will fall upon tho out-district of K.ingiriri. Tho proi'eodin^s at tho m»<t meettng of tho council will probably bo interesting.

A meeting of the management committee, of tho Hamilton Library was held last night. Mr Bindon oflVted :i number of books, all good htandaid works, at hulf-piieo. The chairman, Mr W. A. Graham, nitmiatod that ho would give a cheque for the books, and present thorn to the library. A resolution thanking Mr Graham for his munificent pi ft was passed. A cheque for £5 14s 7<i, being the library's share of the proceeds of the late Counts entertainment, was received, and the secretary was directed to forward the thanks of tho connnitteo to the Comu-. Club. The invoice for £5 5s Gd worth of books from Robertson and Co., Melbourne, was received. Several accounts were passed for paymont. It was resolved to insure the contents of tho library for £100. It was decided to keep tho roading-ioorn open between tho hours of 3 and 5, and 7 and 10 p.m. This was all tho business.

A correspondent at Ngaruawahia sends us the following :— ()w Tuesday evening, 14th inst., a very successful meeting was held under the auspices of the Loc.il Orange Lodge, m the old schoolhouse, Ngaruawahia, and notwithstanding the very inclement weather considerably over a hundred people .assembled together. Mi Marshall of Ngaruawahia occupied the chair in a very creditable manner, and the meeting was addressed in an appropriate way by the following gentlemen : — Messrs J. Campbell (Razorback), Rev. K. ttlum.igbnn (Ngaraavvahia), Mr D. ({oldie (Auckland), and a gentleman from the Huntly district. The musical talent was also weil represented, and Hang several hymns during the evening. The several addresses were listened to with marked attention, and frequently applauded. Still I must say on the whole the meeting was more like a Sunday evening service than a public political meeting, which no doubt must cau->e the reflection to bo the moiv creditable to the conveners of the meeting, which was brought to a close by a hearty vote of thanks to the speakers.

The plain and fancy dress ball, held at the Cambtidge Public Hull on Thursday night, was must successful, them being some 50 couples present, tho largo majmity being in fancy dres^. Mr T. Hartley presided at the piano, assisted by Mr Greenwood, violinist, and it is needless to say that the music was all that could be desired. Dancing was kept up until 3 a.m., a programme of 20 dances bein^ gone through. The following we.ro some of the principal costumes : — Miss Newell, "Swiss Peasant;" Miss Southgate, "Bohemian Girl;" Miss A. Walker, " Tinman Peasant ;" Miss L. Young, " Duchess of Devonshire;" Miss E. Hill, " Grace Darling;" Mi.ss A. Storey, " N mcy Ld3 ;" Muss Krippner, "Marguerite;" Miss K. Hill, "Lady of the 18th Century ; ' Mrs W. S. Stewart, " Mary Queen of Scots ;"' Mrs Wilstm, "Cinderella;" Mis Dickinson, ".Boulogne Fi-huife;" Miss Wilson, "Lady of the Court of Geonje [[. ;'' Mis T. G. S-indes, " Byzantine Piincess;' Miss R. Young, " Harleu,um»'tte ;" Miss Selby, "Lady of Louis XIV Period;' 1 Miss Carey, " Good Luck ;' Mi.ss M ickay, "Kate Jlardcastle ;" Miss Andeisnn, "Flower Girl ;" Miss .Gwyuneth, "Two lese Peasant ;" Miss Jolly, "luliui Pe.v sant ;" Mesdaines Chambeis, Wells, Hill, Souter, Young, Metcalfe, Hallv, Mi-.se.s Hunt, G. Hunt, Cahert, Selby, and Anderson, evening dress; Messrs Wallnutt, C. Lewis, and E. Walker, "Militaiy;" Messrs (r. Hill and Selby, "N.iv.ils ;" "Mr Hunt, " Lawn Tennis ;" Messrs Allen and S. Richardson, " Cricketers ;" Messrs K. Pilling ami A. Storey, "Jockeys;' Mr T. Snnins, " William Tell ;" Mr ]' ( »rtor. " Russian Noble ;'' Mr Wood, " OflW-r uf military train;" Mr F. Pilling, "Rajah Jiibuka;" Mr S. Chamber, "Paddy;" Mr Macdonald, "Night and Day ;" Messrs \V. S. Stewatt, Chambers, K. Alh'ii. \VeIU, Steele, (Jwynne, C. lie de, W. M ><m, H. Ferguson, Calvert, A. Souter, Hill, I'atry, Jiki. Hally, Ewen, (x. Dickson, Ji >yd <md Clntty, evening dress.