Meeting of the Denaby Main Miners last Night

November 1885

Mexborough and Swinton Times November 20, 1885

Meeting of the Denaby Main Miners last Night

A large number of miners attended the Reresby Arms, Denaby, for the purpose of hearing addresses on “Work, wages and politics.”

Mr John Dixon occupied the chair, and there were also present Mr Parrott of Barnsley and Mr Halford, West Melton and officials of the South Yorkshire Miners Association who gave addresses.

Mr Dixon said there were several grievances existing in the colliery according to what they all heard. There were many being sent for out of the banks and dismissed at a moments notice. If any filler liked he could get the whole shift out, even if they had done no wrong.

Mr Halford said he would endeavour to do something and to say something to rouse the minds of the miners to their interests. There were many grievances which affected not only their feelings but their pockets, and the living of those who depended upon them. There was a question now under discussion which was causing excitement, everyone was held in suspense as to which should be the prevailing power in the State, but one thing which ought to occupy the attention of workmen was the question of a fair day’s work for a fair day’s wage. (Applause.)

He need hardly remind them that if they did not seek their own interests no one would seek it for them. It had been the prevailing impression amongst the aristocratic money party of the country that it was their duty to keep the working classes and the poorer classes in submission. If the working man of the country would only read the history of the country and understand the position which they have been held – the tyranny and hardships which they had endured, and working for those who rolled in luxury and wealth – his impression was that it would arouse such enthusiasm which would settle for ever the tyranny to which they were subjected.

There was a vast improvement in the condition of the working classes of today compared with 50 years ago. Then the working man had no power at all, but the case was different now. Mr Halford then referred to the Corn Laws, which he characterised as a great blessing, and yet, he said there were politicians today who advocated the return to the days of protection, so that the landed proprietors might make a little more profit.

It was a strange thing that while increasing the wealth of the country to the extent of £200 millon there was so much poverty. Working men should have a share of that wealth, instead of it all going into the pockets of the few. There was a gulf between extreme poverty and extreme wealth, and that gulf would have to be bridged in some way or other. The spirit of despotism was quite as much involved now as it was 50 years ago, but the master was more careful to curb it when he found that the men were determined to resist.

He referred to the large over plus of colliery managers, which necessarily gave rise to great competition, and for a man to get a situation of this sort, and keep it he required some powerful friends, and he had to disport himself according to his masters, or his place would soon be filled. The moment the master saw an intelligent man in the Lodge room they made him a deputy.

What they believed in was

Eight hours work
Eight hours play
Eight hours sleep
Eight shillings a day

What did they think of 134 millions being paid out of the starving millions of working men for the support of the Royal Family since 1837? He urged upon all present the necessity of joining the South Yorkshire Association, and that organisation was the only means whereby they could attain their ends.

Mr Parrott thought the men have fought a very brave battle, and he thought that now they had suffered, after they had yielded like men, Mr Chambers ought to treat them like men. Whilst not wishing to say anything which might cause unpleasantness he might say that Mr Chambers would have something different to deal with in the future than he had in the past. If a man had done anything wrong in the pit it was only fair that the manager should asking for an explanation, whereby it might be found that he was not so much to blame as he was supposed to be, not “sack” him at a moments notice.

Mr Parrott then referred to the question of the 10% advance. He recounted the particulars under which the men surrendered the struggle for the 10% some time ago, adding that Mr Ellis, the chairman of the Coal Owners committee, said that when times were a little better he would see about an advance. Mr Parrott contended that times were much better now.

The coal standard in Leeds, Sheffield and London have risen 1s a ton since then, and besides that the new Hull and Barnsley railway company had agreed to carry coal at 3d per ton less than the other companies, which necessitated them lowering their price also. Now there was a margin of 1s 3d per ton and he contended that was a “little bit better.”

While the Conference met the Masters in Sheffield last Friday, and they considered, in the face of the improved condition of the trade, that there would be no opposition to their request for a 10% advance. But instead of that the masters stated that the state of trade did not warrant the advance. Complaints had been made to the owners that on the last occasion they had given the men notice of a reduction they had not sent a notice to the offices of the South Yorkshire Association which they had hitherto done. The excuse of the owners was that there were two associations, Mr Chappell’s and the South Yorkshire Association and they did not know who represented the men.

Mr Parrott thought this was a paltry excuse, but the other was that many of the men did not belong to any association at all. Now they should remedy this state of things and not let this be said again as an excuse. He knew that the miners of Denaby were unable to subscribe anything towards the fight they were carrying on in the Normanton division, where they were opposing a Conservative coal owner, but if they knew of anyone who could they ought to plead the cause with them. He urged them all present the necessity of becoming members of the Barnsley Association, for it was only by being organised that they could hope to hold their own.

A question was addressed to Mr Parrott relative to the Denaby Main miner’s liabilities. Were the Barnsley Association prepared to settle them?

Mr Parrott said they could hardly expect the Association to do that, as there were others on a prior claim to their attention, but he was confident if a voluntary movement was set on foot it would be heartily taken up by the district.

A resolution pledging the meeting to join the Barnsley Association without delay was then carried with acclamation, and the customary vote of thanks brought the meeting to a close.