ENGLISH AGRICULTURAL LABORERS.

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 384, 29 October 1874, Page 2

ENGLISH AGRICULTURAL LABORERS.

Tun struggle that has been going on for several months past in the cistern counties of England between the fanners and the agricultural laborers has ended in the complete victory of the former. The stiike has totally failed. It was a foi*midable weapon ; but on this, as on many similar occasions, it proved fatal to those who attempted to wiold it. As summer wore on and the farmers were still able to hold their own, the laborers were forced to way. It was a waiting game between them and their employers, and the latter were the winners. They were able to dispense with the services of the men longer than the men could endure to dispense with their weekly wages At the outset the chances seemed in favour of the laborers. It might be doubtful whether their organisation would be sufficient, and whether, not being accustomed to strikes, they would hang together at a pinch. But unless they spoilt their own cause by internal dissensions their ultimate succcess seemed certain. The farmers, it was thought, might hold out for a while, but when the pressure of work began to be felt they mu3t get back their laborers at any price, and thus the desired dead-lift of wages would be attained. But the result proved quite the reverse. Contrary to general expectation the farmers contrived to get through the operations of the spring and early summer months without any serious difficulty. Partly by the use of machinery, partly by working themselves and by employing all odds and ends of labor available — carters, stablemen, old men and boys, &c, and partly by the supply of labor which the unwonted demand diverted from other occupations, the ploughing, sowing, and haymaking were accomplished, if not in so workmanlike a style as usual, yet for all practic.il purposes in a sufficiently satisfactory manner. Meanwhile the funds of the laborers on strike were exhausted. They were entirely without means of their own, and the Unions could afford to support them no longer. The devices they resorted to to obtain supplies — tho laborers' march, and so forth — gradually ceased to produce effect, contributions from outside sources failed outright, and at last they had no alternative bofore them but unconditional surrender. We call attention to these events with no inten tion of moralising or commenting on them in any way, but simply to point out that they offer an opportunity of obtaining a large number of valuable immigrants. It seems piobable — the English papers, we ob-^ervo take it for granted — that during the next twelvemonth there will be a considerable emigration. The strike has left a bitter feeling between masters fand men ; the more so as the farmers are, not unnaturally perhaps, inclined to press their advantage and to take their revenge upon the unionists. A great many of these who struck work are now refused re-engagement, and are reduced to a state of destitution. In such a position emigration is their only rasource. In all probability, too, the emigrants will comprise the pick of the labourers. The best workmen and the men with most brains are certain to have been most active in promoting the strike, and to have committed themselves most deeply in Ihe cause of the Union. Henceforth they will be marked men. Their names will figure prominently on tho black books of the Masters' Unions, and they will find it next to impossible to get employment. Besides the knowledge of their defeat will make life in England a sore matter to them, and they will welcome any change that will retrieve them from the hateful necessity of submitting again to the yoke of the farmers. Now men of this class will be good settlers. Not only from their knowledge of all kinds of fai'in work, but as being of more selfreliant character and generally of greater activity of mind than the ordinary stamp of agricultui'al labourer they will be exceedingly adapted to make their way in a colony. No doubt a great many may be induced to come to New Zealand. Mr Arch, it is true, seems to incline to Canada. But notwithstanding the attractions Canada possesses in the shortness of the voyage thither and the terms the Government offer to immigrants, we fancy that the severe climate and the long hours of work must, when they are generally known in England, make it be thought less of a land of Goshen than it at present seems to have the credit of being. In these respects New Zealand enjoys a decisive superiority. We hope Dr Featherbtone is continuing to keep up close communication with the leaders of the Agricultural Unions. If things are as we understand them to be, we believe it will be possible, by offering inducements in tho right quarters and exercising a little caie in selection, to send out a few shiploads of the best immigrants that have ever been landed. — Press.