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ON THE CONDITION OF THE AGRICULTURAL LABOURER.
extravagant coat, and encourage discontent at the same time.[1]
The weekly earnings of different labourers, which fairly represent the class known as "industrial" operatives,[2] may be stated to be as follows:
Carpenters and joiners from 18s. 0d. to 28s. 0d. Sawyers from„21s. 0d. to 26s.0d. Bricklayers average 31s. 6d. Bricklayers„ labourers average„19s. 6d. Brickmakers from 24s. 0d. to 30s. 0d. Masons average 30s. 0d. Masons„ labourers average„17s. 6d. Gardeners (exclusive of head gardeners) average„16s. 0d. Smiths from 26s. 0d to 28s. 0d. Brassfounders from„24s. 0d. to 33s. 0d. Painters average 28s. 0d. Bootmakers from 21s. 0d. to 26s. 0d. Tallow workers (labourers) average 18s. 0d. Engineers and Boilermakers from 25s. 0d. to 30s. 0d.
- ↑ Mr. S. Sidney stated in the discussion which followed the reading of this paper, that he "quite agreed with the observations which had been made as to the fruitlessness of encouraging the labourers to combine, and thought that the gentlemen who took part in the meeting at Willis's Room were not so wise as well-meaning, but at the same time Canon Girdlestone had proposed one of the few things which would really do the labourer good; when he found that in one parish or district the wages were very low indeed, he recommended the men to go elsewhere, and that was just what caused the great superiority of mechanics to farm labourers; they were much better educated, not so much in the way of reading and writing, but in knowledge of the world, and how best to provide for themselves, and improve their condition. The agricultural labourer must not be limited to the mere bounds of his parish, as was now too often the case. In dealing with millions of people, the only way to help them was to teach them to help themselves, and the essential point was to give them that sort of education which would make them desire more."
- ↑ Mr. David Chadwick stated, in his paper, "On the Wages of Manchester, Salford, and Lancashire," that "the wages of nearly all classes of factory operatives appear to have increased from 10 to 25 per cent. during the last twenty years.
