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THE FACTORY ACTS EXTENSION BILL.GREVT MEETING IN BRADFORD.The Bradford Chamber of Commerce having sent a memorial to Sir George Grey. Bait., M.l\, against the above bill, which contained misrepresentations, the friends of the measure resolved to appeal to the inhabitants of the borough, and called upon the Mayor with a numerously signed requisition for “a Public Meeting to consider the propriety of petitioning Parliament in favour thereof.” The meeting was held 011 Monday evening in St. George's Hall, Bradford, when about 2500 persons were present. In the absence of the Mayor the Rev. Dr. Burnet, vicar of Bradford, was called to the chair. The platform included a large number of the clergy and principal persons resident in the borough, as well as many members of the Chamber of Commerce, w hich body had been specially invited thither by circular from the convencis, the object of the requisi-tionists having been to obtain the fullest discussion, and a fair decision 011 this important measure, which it is well known has the approbation of the community at large, in-elud ing many of those who are directly concerned in the trades of the town which w ill be affected by this bill.The CHAIUMAN, in opening tlic proceedings, read some letters of apology for absence from tlic meeting. Mr. W. Band was too unwell to attend, but in bis note lie said lie was sure Parliament would not only do its duty by defending young persons from the improper demands of those w ho employ them, but also from the demands of those parents w ho received ilic benefit of their w ages.” He enclosed £5 towards the expenses of the meeting. Letters containing similar sentiments were read from Mr. James Douglas, the Rev. J. 1*. Chown, the Rev. J. L. Frost, c. The rev. chairman then asked the friends of the Ten Hours’ Act if, when they got that act, they looked upon it as a finality measure. (Cries of “No.”) He thought not. lie supposed they looked upon it as a species of instalment. (Hear, hear.) An instalment it remained, and an instalment it had been so long that it was beginning to look uncommonly like a finality measure ; and if there w as any clianee at all of the Government w ishing to extend its beuetits, by the protracted length of time during which this measure had remained an instalment there were ample means of proving those benefits from experience. (Hear, hear.) If there was any chance of this grand measure—of this benevolent measure of this humanising measure being extended to wherever the labouring classes required it. be very much mistook the character of the people of Bradford if they would not work as hard for others as they workedapply more directly to the merchants’ warehouses than to any other establishments; although he (Mr. ’Walker) trusted the friends of short-time in Bradford w ere patriotic enough to desire that all the ttades included in the bill should be legislated for without delay. (Hear, hear.) Still, it might be pardonable if they felt a desire that the evils existing in Bradford should be remedied first. (Hear, hear.) He was sure there were hut few persons who would deny that in the warehouses of Bradford there were abuses which called loudly for a remedy. (Hear, hear.) Why they were not already remedied he did not know except it w as because what was “everybody's business was nobody's,” and tlie grievance was one which never could he settled and rectified except by an act of parliament. (Cheers.) He firmly believed many merchants in Bradford deplored the present state of things, lie knew they did. (Hear, hear.) They had told him so, and also that they would be delighted to see their warehouses brought under factory legulations. (Hear, hear.) Then, he mast charitably hope that if theie should lie any opposition to the object of tiiis meeting, it was because certain persons hud mistaken views respecting it. The present meeting would slmw, however, what was the feeling of Brudioul upon the question. (Ilear, hear.) lie was glad to know that he had lived to see many of those become the staunchest friends of factory or short time legislation years ago who were its greatest opponents. (Hear, hear.) For instance, there was Mr. Edward Akroyd, of Halifax, who was once a formidable oppouent (cheers)- but who now was ready to do everything he could to get this bill passed. Already the meeting had heard the recantation of Mr. Roebuck, who once w as one of their bitterest opponents in the House of Commons, lie had many times in the House of Commons heard him utter strong invectives against Lord Ashley w hen trying to put his lordship down by all the means in his power. It was now a matter of great satisfaction to know that that very able man had at last taken his position on the right side in helping to carry through the legislature such great questions of humanity. Then, the words of the Dukeof Argyle last week at ^Sheffield could not fail to do good to this cause. (Here a long extract from the Duke’s recent speech was read as to the duty of landed proprietors and manufactures being identical with reference to their dependents.) In conclusion Mr. Walker mentioned the first chief workers in the cause of short-time in Bradford, especially alluding to then- former excellent townsman, Mr. John M oo»t, now of Tliedden Grange, Hampshire, who made immenst sacrifice to accomplish the object, and w ho was aided by ihe late Mr. Oastler—(cheers)- and an unflinching band of men called the Sliort-ti.ne Committees of Yorkshire
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Leeds Intelligencer
Leeds, West Yorkshire, GB
Sat, May 28, 1864
Page 7
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USA 18 Jul 2023
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