Barnsley Chronicle – Saturday 03 May 1884

Meeting of Miners at Mexbro’.

The Wages Question.

A meeting of the Denaby Main miners was held on Thursday night in the lodge-room at the Mason’s Arms, Mexbro’, when an address was delivered by Mr. Wm. Chappell, secretary of the Sheffield, Rotherham, and District Miners’ Association.

Mr. Chappell complimented the men at Denaby Main on the way in which they helped one another by being united. He said he saw a few days ago a paragraph stating that the owners were going to ask for a 10 per cent. reduction in the wages of the colliers. Whilst coming from Derby a few weeks ago, however, he was in the company of a manager of a large pit, who said it was his opinion that it would not do any good whatever to get a reduction from the men.

A man of even more importance in Sheffield said to him that his conviction was it would not do to ever attempt such a thing, adding, “It would not do us any good; the merchants would have it before we were in possession of it a month’s time.” The men were working a bit better throughout the district, and he hoped the stagnation which prevailed would gradually disappear. He did not think for one moment that a reduction of wages would be asked for; but if such a thing were done, the men would most certainly try to resist it.

Mr. Chappell also referred to the difficulties the master met with from unprincipled purchasers, who complained unjustifiably as to the quality of the coal, and said in some instances, as at Manvers Main a short time ago, coal was returned which had been forwarded for some other colliery.

Addresses were also delivered by Mr. W. Rolley, of Sheffield, and Mr. S. Hall, of Mexbro’; and the following resolution, after one in favour of unity had been passed, was carried unanimously:—

“That this meeting of Denaby Main miners rejoices at the Reform Bill introduced by Mr. Gladstone, and, whilst expressing our unshaken confidence in the Liberal Government, regards the Reform Bill as an honest attempt to confer upon the people of the country those electoral rights which are enjoyed in the boroughs; and also hopes they will not be deterred from making it an accomplished fact by any action the Lords may take.”