Sheffield Independent – Saturday 09 June 1877
The South Yorkshire Miners’ Association
The third of a series of open-air demonstrations which are being held by the members of the South Yorkshire Miners’ Association in different parts of the district took place at Swinton on Monday afternoon, and passed off very successfully. The gathering as pronounced by the leading members of the association, and their object is to spread amongst the miners information respecting its aims and objects, and to induce those who have hitherto stood aloof from them to join their ranks. The men who took part in Monday’s gathering came from Denaby Main, Manvers Main, Thrybergh Hill, and Swinton Common Collieries. Mr. Councillor Clegg, of Sheffield, presided over the meeting, and he was supported by Councillor Atkinson, Sheffield; Mr. Lloyd Jones, London; Mr. Holmes, Batley; Mr. E. Jenkenson, Swinton; Mr. Frith, Mr. Chappell, Mr. Moulson, Mr. Broadhurst, Mr. Pickard, Mr. J. Hadfield, &c.
There were about 2,000 persons present.
The Chairman, who was received with loud cheers, said there were people who told them that unions were of no use whatever; that the law of supply and demand would always regulate the price to be paid for labour. That might be very true in the abstract, but it was not true when it came to be fairly carried out. They had heard a great deal during the last year about the badness of trade, the competition that had existed, and the losses that the masters had sustained in the working of their pits. That might be all very true; but if it were, it appeared to him to be very strange that during the last year there was more coal raised than in 1875. (Hear.) Notwithstanding there was a decrease in the number of persons employed, there were 818,000 tons more coal raised than in 1875. There must, therefore, have been a demand somewhere for coal, because they were not got to put in stock. If there had been a loss through competition it was a question for the masters and sellers of coal to take into consideration; the blame that such a state of things existed ought not to be put upon the men. The same report told them that in 1876 there were 943 deaths by accidents in coal mines, which was 25 less than in the year before. He urged the necessity for an alteration in the law with reference to compensation to servants, and said it was a subject that well deserved the attention of their Executive Committee. Referring to the question of arbitration, he said it would be well if some compulsory system of arbitration could be established to which masters and men might appeal without having recourse to strikes and lockouts. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. John Heppenstall (Manvers Main) moved the following resolution:—“That this meeting is of opinion that, under existing circumstances, it is imperative, if necessary for the welfare of the district, that every effort should be made to strengthen the hands of the executive of the South Yorkshire Miners’ Association.”
Mr. E Goldspink (Manvers Main) seconded, and Mr. Moulson (Warren Vale) and Councillor Atkinson (Sheffield) supported the motion, which was carried unanimously.
Mr. J. Frith then moved—“This meeting is of opinion that the best way to settle disputes in this district will be by means of arbitration and conciliation, and trusts that this will be done in place of the old and barbarous system of strikes and lock-outs.” He said the time which the association had undergone during the past few years had left it at zero, but now if they could only secure the goodwill and support of other members, there was every inducement to change for the better. Since the present officials had been in office they had had a great many difficulties to contend with, but now without hesitation they should determine to lay aside the past, and endeavour to build up their association on a surer foundation. The changes that had taken place during the past year showed that they were living in critical times; and that the miners of this district generally, and that was the opinion of working men in this old land. His opinion was that they would have more respect to show from this cause than from any other, and unless they stood firmly by their association their position would become worse.
Mr. Hadfield (Warren Vale) briefly seconded the motion.
Mr. J. H. Holmes (Methley), in supporting the motion, spoke of the enormous profits made by the colliery owners from 12½ to 15 per cent., and showed how much more competition could make these profits return. He admitted that he took his share in depreciation on account of his connection with the association, under which the masters set out to purchase and by which they had lost £70,000. Mr. Jones, however, contended that it was their own fault. They promised to pay 2½d. under certain terms. They paid 2½d., and afterwards they reduced it to 2d., and would not pay any more, and the money was not paid back. It was therefore computed to conclude that the miners of South Yorkshire were not yet in a condition to be their own masters. He urged them to be united, and to take care that no divisions should mar their future.
Mr. Jenkinson (Swinton) supported the resolution, which was adopted.
Mr. W. Chappell moved—“That this meeting views with regret that the coalowners are mixing and closing the competition activity, with the result that the district does not enjoy steady prices, and believes that such competition is ruinous to both masters and workmen.” [Some words indistinct.] He addressed himself particularly to the question of competition, and said it was only by the men being united that they could effect any reform. He urged that as steadily as possible they should strengthen the association, so that the masters could not reduce wages by any undercutting or unfair means.
Mr. James Batley (Wakefield) seconded the motion, and it was put to the meeting and carried without dissent.
He quoted statistics in support of his statement, explained the circumstances that had led to the present competition in the coal trade, and pointed out to the men that the only way by which they could maintain their position was by being united in their association. (Cheers.)
The fourth demonstration took place on Tuesday at Wombwell. There were about 1,000 to 1,200 men employed at the Lundhill, Mitchell Main, Darfield Main, Wombwell Main, Corton Wood, and New Oaks Collieries were present at the meeting, and the chief part of the procession proceeded to the Ship Inn Croft, headed by the Lundhill and Higham bands, and the beautiful silk banners belonging to the respective lodges. Mr. E. Jenkins, of Swinton, presided.
Mr. Frith, one of the secretaries, moved the first resolution:—“That the recent alterations made in the management of our association, the separation and application of its funds are such as ought to commend themselves to the judgment and consideration of the miners in this district, and in consequence of these alterations, combined with the well-known interests of the miners, it is highly desirable that all miners in this district should join the South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire Miners’ Association.”
Mr. Samuel Broadhead (Swinton) seconded, and Mr. Edwards Jones (Monk Bretton) supported the resolution, which was unanimously carried.
Mr. Chappell, one of the secretaries of the association, proposed the second resolution—“That we, at this meeting, feeling the many troubles which have afflicted us in this district, through strikes and lockouts in the past, are of opinion that where boards of conciliation and arbitration can be obtained, where the men and masters can meet and talk over matters and disputes, there should be recourse to conciliation or arbitration.”
Mr. B pichard (West Yorkshire) explained the principle of arbitration and conciliation. The resolution was then unanimously adopted.
Councillor Atkinson (Sheffield) proposed the following resolution:—“That in the opinion of this meeting, the best interests of the miners belonging to the South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire Miners’ Association would be served by the members generally, and the local officials in particular, using every legitimate means to strengthen the hands of the executive and secretaries in their endeavour to rebuild the old union ship, so that it may be a greater power for good in the future than ever it has been in the past.”
Mr. John Holmes (Methley) seconded the resolution, and it was put to the meeting and carried without dissent.