AGRICULTURAL LABORERS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 96, 28 February 1879, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL LABORERS.

(From LLoyd's Weekly.)

There was a large gathering of agricultural laborers on Saturday evening at the lecture hall of the Faversham Institute to protest against certain farmers in taking legal proceedings in the County Court to eject from their cottages a number of laborers who had either been discharged through their refusal to submit to a reduction of wages, or on account _ of their declining to sover their connection with the Kent and Sussex Laborers' Union. The Hall, which held about 800 persons, was quite filled. Mr Pilcher, the chairman of the Agricultural Laborers' Union, was voted to the chair. Mr Alfred, Simmons, secretary of the Union, addressed the meeting at considerable length, and indicated the course it was proposed to take on the part of the laborers. The Union was stronger than ever, and was determined to fight the niattei out to the bitter end. Arrangements had been made with the Government of New Zealand to send out, free of cost, GOO laborers of Kent and Sussex, and he (Mr Simmons) would accompany them and see them all in good situations. Then he should return, and be prepared to resume his work with the Union, and the farmers would find that if thoy played any more of their pranks emigration would again be resorted to. Mr Simmons also animadverted upon the conduct of Lord Sondes in publicly expressing a wish to address a thousand or two of the "misguided laborers," and then failing to put in an appearance when an opportunity offered him of so doing. On the motion of Mr Howard, of Gravesend, seconded by Mr Oollafd of Faversham, it was resolved that—"This meeting .of working men condemns Lord Sondes for making 'untruthful' public statements which he cannot prove, and calls upon his lordship to withdraw his remarks concerning the leaders of the Laborers' Union, p made by. Mm at the Faversham .Ajri-'

cultural Association dinner."' Mr G, Neamo of Canterbury proposed—"• That this meeting approves of the proposed emigration to New Zealand of the lockedout Kent and Sussex laborers, and asks tho public to assist the laborers who in-' tend to emigrate," This was seconded by Mr Holloway, a representative of the Government of New Zealand, who has been sent back to this.country, whence ho emigrated some years since, to make selections for emigration. Ho also gavo somo information respecting the colony, Tho resolution was carried.