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Northern Star (1837-1852), 11th August 1849, Edition 1 of 3, Page unpag, Untitled Article

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    • .v _ - ... r NATIONAL LAXD CONFERENCE, SNIG'S END, GLOUCESTERSHIRE.
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      Untitled Article

      . ( From our own Jlqwfter . J The Annual Conference of Delegates from all parts of the country , of the members of jSte- ^ Nation al Land Company , was "" held this week at Snig ' s End . The proceedings eommenced on Monday . Great interest was occasioned , not only in . fto neighbourhood , "but throughout the surrounding districts , and during the sittings of each day the

      Schoolroom was . most inconveniently crowded , many who could not obtain admittance pressing -against the windows , and thus effectually circumscribing thejentilation ^ much to the dis--comfort of the 4 ^^ at © r , vuo ; g ^ d-naturedly bore the infliction ^ ini j ^ tisitilefUtion of the anxiefrjr displayed to teas tbeiiseiiilions , and -their own desire that all < Se ] tf ^| sHoos argued , and all the complaints ioaife ^ should be as much circulated in the ^ cormt % as possible .

      V It may be permitted , ^ fefore" entering upon the proceedings themselves , " to advert to the -appearance of this and the ; ih ^ g hbouring estate ^ in order to give meinlt ^ s at a distance -an idea of the immense &p |? vement effected in the course of the lastiijftt years , notwithstanding the various , and oy-no means light annoyances to which the allottees were subjected by the petty jealousies of the neighbouring agriculturists , who savr with alarm , the

      efforts made by the denizens of towns to free themselves ^ o ^ the chains of serfdom , which a vitiated state of society threw around the life of the artisan from the hour of his appearance on the world ' s : stage untilitKe ^ JasJ ^ scene -when the curfeia-j dropped , aM the iramer of jdhers' fortimes ' was permitted "to shuffle off this morjjjgl coil , " and to obtain that peace in the grave which in existence had been denied to him .

      Saig a s End and the neighbouring estate of Low-bands are situated mid-way between Tewkesbury and Gloucester , in , perhaps , the most beautiful part of all England , whether as regards the scenery itself or the quality and fertility of the lands in the district . The former estate is placed in the level country , in -close proximity to the high road , while the latter , with perhaps a more pleasing prospect , lias , to counterbalance that , the additional distance of two miles placed between it and its different markets . At no season of the year does the country present a fairer aspect than -at present , and the country to which we refer

      lias peculiar claims to the attention of the agriculturist , for it exhibits crops which far excel auy observed on the line of road which lies between Birmingham and the town of Gloucester , Snig ' s End certainly proves the iruthof the assertion , that spade husbandry in small allotments is far superior to the plough . Thecrop 3 ofthe different allottees are of the most promising description—the -wheat ripe and full in the ear—barley is most beautifully headed—mangel-wurtzel " and Swedish turnips large—potatoes plentiful , and free from disease ; aud the same remark of plentiful may be applied to all the other description of green crops , with the single exception of carrots , which has proved in some degree a failure . The cottages present a neat and clean

      appearance , and the greater part of the allottees , with a commendable taste , have combined the useful with the ornamental , by rearing vines sn& other climbing trees , rosos , and different varieties of flowers , around their doors and at the end of the dwellings . The roads are well laid out , and , in short , the whole presents an appearance as cheering as the best friend of humanity might desire , and oilers a complete antidote to the calumnious reports which sought to reach the framer of the plan , by representing this work of his bauds as a total failure . It is the fashion now to patronise pubh ' c improvement , and it would be . well to suggest io the Lord Mayor and the dignities flf the City of London * to pay a visit to Siiig ' s End and Lowbands , before settingabout their task of Irish regeneration .

      The first day of the meeting of the Conference was occupied in arranging preliminary matters . The Conference met at two o ' clock , but there being only Mr . O ' Connor and a few of the delegates pre-ent , it was agreed to adjourn till a later Iionr in the evening . At seven o ' clock they again re-assembled , and 3 Ir . Sweet , of Jfottinghain , wasunanimously elected chairman .

      3 Ir . Philip M'Gratn was elected secretary . The following delegates then presented their -credentials : —Mr . Bostock , lS ' ottin £ uam ; Mr . Sutton , Manchester ; Mr . G . "Wilson , London ; Mr . Dowlinir , London ; Mr . Taylor , Ashton-nnder Xyne ; Sir . C . JJagsnay , Sheffield ; Mr . G . "Watson , Swindon ; Mr . J . Irvine , Stockport ; Mr . D . R . Morgan , Merthyr-Tydvil ; Mr . J . Lord , Rochdale ; j « r « -J . Brown , Preston ; Mr . J . Harding , Worcester ; 3 Ir . J . Yntes , Hanley ; Mr . C . J . Clarke , Bristol ; Mr . J . Hood , Tiverton .

      Deputies : —Mr . T . Wheeler , O'Connoralle ; Mr . T . Gilbert , Charterville ; Mr . Greenwood , Snig ' s End . Mr . Wheeler claimed a right to sit as a delegate on the part of the allottec 3 of O'Connorville . It was objected that the number of allottees was net enough , but he found that while some places unly contained two or three hundred members , other places contained as manj thousands , and both . returned hut one delegate . The principle of numbers was therefore a defective one . Be would remind the Conference that there was a great amount of property sunk in the place which he represented , aiidin virtue of the stake held by the allottees in the company , and the influence which the decisions of the Conference might have on their interests , he claimed the rijrht of voting . Ifis brother deputy from Chartemlle joined in this application .

      Mr . Gilbert could support the statement of his friend who hsd spoken . A large amount of money JbaJ been laid out on the estate of which he was an allottee both by the purchasers and by the original allottees , a great deal of work was also done on t ' ie estate from the beginning . There was much anxiety evinced on this occasion by the allottees , and he * trusted therefore that the Conference would iirant the desires of those he represented . " Sir . M'Gkatii said he had not the slightest objection to give the allottees fair piny , bufc if they admitted the principle contended for by Mr . T . 'iieeler they must extend the right of representation with voting to all the estates . He was not disposed to admit property qualification at all ; he was surrounded by democrats and that principle had ai-sravs been disclaimed bv them . He was disposed

      to question the soundness of the principle advocated by Mr . Wheeler , as a reason why the allottees should be represented here . They must be looked at as members of the Sational land Company , and no more , and he was confident that appearing by deputy only they would hare full justice done them on this occasion . Even supposing five members to each of the families on the estates " they would hare oiilv 1500 persons , who would have the power of exercising five votes , the number of the estates in possession of the company being five ; while the ¦ whole number of 70 , 000 subscribers would only be represented by a few more votes . He trusted that they would not be disposed to accede to their request . After a discussion in vhlch . Mr . Scttos , Mr . Taxes , and others took part , it was decided that the deputies should not be entitled to vote .

      Mr . Disos then moved "That the business of ibis Conference commence at nine o ' clock in the morning , sit till one o ' clock , then rise till half-past tiro , and sit till five o ' clock . " Mr . Fiood moved , as an amendment , " That the -Conference sit till seven o'clock . " 3 &-. Dostock seconded the amendment . _ Mr . WuEEtEn supported the orig inal resolution . If gentlemen wished to get through business , let tnftn only make shorter speeches . A number of

      tue delegates would have to be appointed to committees , and if thev were obliged to sit after the day ' s proceedings , if would be unfair upon them . Mr . Dixos would compromise the matter in deference to the wishes of a part of the meeting ; he tveaJd sit till six o ' clock . Mr . Strrox , although anxious to get home , would not consent to sit till seven , for however much nc > i > bed to attend to hb constituents' interests , he : - >< sou'lit to attend in some deirioe to jus own

      Jieaisu . The question was then pnt , when there appeared for the seven o'clock sitting , 3 , for the six o ' clock sitting , 6 ; majority , 3 . Mr . Dixox then rose to move , " That gentlemen introducing motions be allowed ten minutes each , and after speeches fire minutes , and five minutes for the reply , and that no delegate be allowed a ° Mr ? WnEELEB seconded the resolution , which wr . s carr ! Jti » a * in" > usly- .,,,.,. ,, , 3 fr ¦ t f'GRATn- ' then suggested that the old plan shoHl ' d ' be adopted , of hearing the reports from the Sbets sentW the different districts , ^ fli : re-

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      spect to the opinions of the subscribers in / thoir various localities . _ t-. ; . . Mr . Sweet thought that the Directors should lay their report before the committee in the first instance , and , having received that information , the Conference would be hi a condition to come to a conclusion upon it . After some conversation , it was agreed tljat the course snggested b y Mr . M'Grath should be adopted . Mr . Button begged to request Mr . M'Grath to prepare , as on the last occasion , an outline of the resolutions passed at the Conference , with a summary of the proceedings , so that the Conference and the subscribers would have the whole at one view before them . . ¦ i .. ; . ' . Mr . M'Ghatii assented ; and the Conference afterwards adjourned till Tuesdav . - - " anrvnt 4 a tnA AniMiAMM ** S Xl _— . — .. 1 i-l *? .- ;¦_ - _

      , TUESDAY , Acocsr 7 . Morning Sitting . The Conference re-assembled at nine o ' clock . Mr . Sweet in the chair . ' . _' .,. , _ ' Credentials presented-Mr . T . Oliver , Hull ' , Mr . Halliwell , ffewcMtle-on-Tyne ; Mr ,. Oleland , - GlaB ; Teig ^ imffi ; Mrr ^^ ettTSarai ^ r iiJ ; ' Gilbertaon , Neweastle-on-Tyne ^ Mr . rJ : Atherton , Bolton ; Mr . J . Smith , Birmingham j Mr . J . Sk ^ vington , ^ Leicester . , - ' . ' . ' The delegates were then called on to deliirer in their reports from their respective districts . Mr . j . Tatxob , said that he had but little to offer the Conference , so far as the . wishes of his constituents went , A . public meeting had been held in the district last Monday , and a resolution nad been come to for winding up tbe

      company , providing there were no means of keeping Mr . O'C ' onnor irom being sued in the local courts as the representative of the Land Company . On all other questions he was to exercise his own discretion . Mr . Suitox : With respect to the locality he represented , there was every shade of opinion and of 5 arty . He must say tbat they were not in a very esirable state at present . Several classes in Manchester thought it would be well to revert to the old plan , and they were of opinion that any deviation from it was wrong . Another class thought that the company should not go on , at all ; not that they doubted about the efficiency of the plan , but he believed himself that that class of men had in whole , or in greater part , ioined the company as a matter of

      speculation , and with tbe view of making money by it . A great majority were of opinion that the company should go on , they having every confidence in Mr . O'Connor . With respect to merging in the new company , they were universally opposed to it . There were many who would gladly join it , but they were strongly opposed to the idea of assimilating the two companies . There were other mattei s to which he would require to call attention , but he would do so at the proper period , when the questions to which they had reference came before the meeting . Mr . Bostock said he was instructed to lay the

      following resolutions , agreed to at ^ Nottingham on the 31 st July , before the Conference : — " That if ' it cannot be shown to the Conference that the company is in a solvent condition , and that it is or can be made a reproductive society , that its affairs ought to be wound up as soon as possible . " 11 That the Ballot be restored . " " That those members that have not paid up ^ their shares do so by twopence per week per share , ' " That anv member being more than three months in arrears be struck from the company ' s booKs , and forfeit to the funds of the company all that he has paid . " . allowed to draw

      " That all paid-up members be out of the company that wish to do so , and such members to receive * their money in accordance to the decision of a ballot ; the incidental expenses of the company to be stopped , including local expenses . , " That the local secretaries call a shareholders meeting to ascertain who wish to draw out of the company , and those remaining who wish to carry the objects of tho company out as first intended , snail pay one penny per week per share , to pay off such member . - " That the Conference appoint three . Directors , ( including Mr . O'Connor , ) the one to be the corresponding and the other the financial secretary , and Mr . O'Connor be empowered to employ a practical agriculturist to visit every estate , to instruct the occupants , and give a monthly report to tbe . company . " " J . Wau » Chairman . " Mr . J . TnvixE was instructed to propose that the Conference should adopt some means to pay off the Tumblers , who brought a bad name upon tbe

      company . , ,. Mr . D . It . Morgan was instructed to say that his constituents had every faith in Mr . O'Connor , but they wished to return to the good old system , and they trusted that some means would be devised to <* ct rid of the grumblers . There were some of those in his district . They had paid some two or three shillings , which they made a terrible row about . ( Laughter . ) The good men were determined to go on / and they had every certainty that Mr . O'Connor would devise some means of doing so successfully . He was instructed to make inquiry if any grievances existed amongst the allottees . He found there were , and he trusted the Conference would take these ffrievanees into consideration . ( Hear , hear . )

      Mr . Lord said that the branches he represented thought it : desirable to pay off the grumblers , and they believed that might be done by mortgaging one or other of their estates for a sufficient amount to pay off all claims , then to merge the company into a new one on the principle- , pursued by the building fund , to be carried on by those members who were willing to do so . Mr . J . Bkowx said tbat in the district he represented there were five of the branches which took no part in the local proceedings , but so far as he tiad received instructions they were to the effect that he should support a resolution to get rid of all those grumblers who did nothing in the way of paying their shares , and after a certain time to exclude all members who did not conform to the rules

      adopted by the Conference . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Watsox said that a part of his constituents ( tbe Banbury branch ) had earned a proposition unanimously that the company should not amalgamate with the new Company ; that the disaffected members should be paid off , and the Directors reduced to three , including Mr . O'Connor ; and that they be not allowed to alter any laws the Conference might propose . From Swifidon he had received the following instructions ;— " That tbe company be put hinder the Building Societies Act , so that members * be compelled to pay regular instalments , with fines if not paid at the proper periods . Tlmt for members wishing to withdraw means be adopted to nay them off , but no shareholders to get

      monev back until the shares were paid up . That the ballot be restored for the benefit of the poorer members . That we have confidence in Feargus O ' Connor to carry out the foregoing , and that all attempts to legalise the company bo set aside . That if the Conference docs not agree to something like that pointed out in the above and other branches that the Company be -wound up . " The O'Connorville branch insisted on the allottees on the different estates having a legal title to their holdings , to be g iven them at the earliest possible period . To oppose the winding up of the company . To get the ballot restored with such alterations as might restore confidence to the unlocated members . In the event of the company being transferred to a

      building society , to take care that the rents should be apportioned to the value of the soil and the nearness to good markets , so that there might be & certainty of the allottee 3 being able to pay them ; and to support such measures as might tend to tbe speedy location of the members . The 2 fewbury branch were unanimous in their desire that the company should not be wound up . Mr . J . Habdisg said that the feeling in his district was that the grumblers ought to be paid off , and , with a trifling minority , they were all of opinion that the company should be carried on . Mr . J . Taxes had not received instructions from any of the branches composing his district , but they had held a public meeting , and he could glean from the opinions expressed there what were the wishes of his constituents . They were all opposed to winding up the eompany . "With regard to' the grumblers , they thought their shares ought t » be

      paid up . "With regard to the merging into a new company , they were decidedly opposed to it . Mr , Bagshaw : His instructions were to go nnder the old system , and to re-establisb the ballot . They had confidence in ilr . O'Conncr , and hoped he would devise some means of raising money to pay off the grumblers . They did not desire to merge into the new eompany . They also suggested that those unpaid-up members should be compelled to pay lid . per share , per week ; 3 d . for two acres ; 4 d . for three acres ; and Cd . for four acres , per week , or in default to be struck , off . the books . They desired that the Directors should be reduced to three—two besides Mr . O'Connor ; and that , if at any time it should be necessary to employ a clerk , they have power to do so . That the company should uofc on any consideration be wound up , and that thebnllotbe re-established . That the Directors be sol conuected with the Chartist Executive , and

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      that they have nothing to do with any com » pany . ¦ ' Mr . C . J . Clarke : The opinions of Bristol were decidedly in favour of the continuance of the company but they desired to impress on Mr . O'Connor the benefit of getting the company legally established . They thought that they ought not to pay the dissatisfied members the smallest amount of money . In his district about sixty had paid 2 s ., between fifty and sixty 3 s ., and they were the dissatisfied ones . The branches concurred entirelv in opposing the winding up the accounts . , " Mr . T . ftooD : The ^ resolution received from his constituents was , that they had the fullest confidence in Mr . O'Connor , . aud * desired--to cry quits withthedissatisfied members . / ' ; . ' .-., ¦ ' "Mr . T . GiMJKBl . Mi . icf : that '' . those" he represented were decidedly aV ^ e to the winding up of the' c ' onipanyj believing iti jftftsibte that measures might be adopted ? to « ujsjr-ii on . They thought , that the _

      holders of two . Or three shares might purchase from the dissatisfied Aiemb ^ re : ; He wa ^ g lad to learn tbat the ^ greatest grumbjefs ^ were th " o * e who h ^ JPSJi least and- therefore it ' would be" no ' vcrj ' ' &w&m m ^ ei ^ f' ^^ metti oS : ^^ riasy-sag ^ eatei ' 'J ^ i , money clubs be formed in : 'different * districts , for the purchasing of shares , andthey thought that by this means the object might be effected . If-the society could not be legally established , they . were willing to go on in the fullest confidence in Mr . O'Connor , and they'trusted that means would be adopted to locate the balloted but unlocated members , believing as they did that no confidence would be restored till those men were located . They suggested , therefore , that an immediate call should be made of Is . 3 d . on every member of the company , balloted or not—located or not . The located members were anxious to make some sacrifice , in order to meet the caso of tllOSC members who were balloted but not located . The CnAiRMAN : 890 was the number balloted .

      Mr . Gilbert : With regard to the bonus and the ballot , they were of opinion that if richer men leaped over the heads ofpoorer men , that some good should accrue to the company from this also . This would really be the way toget rid of the grumblers . They suggested that no less bonus than £ 5 per acre should be taken on every acre ; they would thus be purchasing their right , and the company would not be losers . That not more than half of any estate be appropriated to bonus members ; and with regard to located members , they suggested that security ought to be given to them . He thought , in that case , that half a year ' s rent would be paid by the allottees , for he was convinced they would make any sacrifice in order to secure the good of the eompany .

      Mr . Wheeler said that he intended to reserve some of the observations which ho wished to make until the question of the estates was before the Conference , but he would take the opportunity of making one or two remarks . The members at O'Connorville were not indifferent spectators of the general interest of the company ; they yet trusted that the plan would be carried out in all its entirety , and were , therefore , opposed to the company being broken up . They thought that the adoption of the ballot would restore confidence to the members . They were opposed to the company being merged into a building society , but it such should bo done he trusted due attention would be paid to the claims of the allottees . The chief object they had in view in

      sending a delegate was , to . endeavour to procure their leases at a fair remunerative rent ; this was the consideration of all others the most important to the allottees : without ci certainty of ' obtaining security for the labour and capital they had invested in the land , they would never be placed in that firm and assured position so necessary to their success . lie had various propositions to bring before them at a fitting opportunity , relativo to the school property , the unoccupied land on the estate , and return of aid money , &c ., by purchasers : unless they allowed persons wishing to dispose of their allotments an opportunity to do so on reasonable terms , they were inflicting injury on the company as well as the allottees ; the claimspf the company upon the allotments were so heavy that they precluded their effecting

      s ^^ tHe j twwted-they ... would : give these subjects Buemtte ' n ' tibn , as the welfare of the . company depended upon the prosperity of the allottees . Mr . Greenwood would take another opportunity of bringing before the Conference the wishes of the allottees of Snig ' s End . Mr . WiLaoH said that the opinions of the men of London were very various . There were a great number of branches in London , and generally they wished to go back to the old rules . Since the attempt to get enrolled or registered had not succeeded , they were willing to place every confidence in Mr . O'Connor ; but with respect to winding up of the company they said they could not take that into consideration until they had the statement of the Directors before them . They wished to establish the success of the company , and therefore they placed full confidence in Mr . O * Connor .

      Mr . Dowiikg had little to add to what had fallen from his brother delegate . The general impression was , that , if possible , the company ought to be car ried on under * the old rules , with respect to confidence in Mr . O ' Connor , they were well contented to place their scrip in his hands , to be at his disposal , because they believed his simple word to be better than any act of Parliament in England . ( Hear , hear . ) He was aware that a general feeling existed in favour of buying off the discontented member .

      After a fevr words from Mr . A . Clelaxd regretting the absence of Mr . D . Sherrington , who ou cht to have supplied his place ; ° Mr . W . Halliwell said that at a meeting held at Newcastle , the question was debated whether the company should be wound up or not . The parties who conducted the opposition were men who had bought their four-acre shares for thirty shillings , and they , acting on Mr . O'Connor ' s statement , that he would give twenty shillings in the pound , were anxious to receive their money , and so pocket so much profit . ( Hear , hear . ) The good men there also had confidence in Mr . O'Connor , whoso word they thought better than twenty acts of Parliament . The men of South Shields were

      anxious that no money should be returned to the discontented members , but they had no objection to allow a transfer of the shares . They proposed also that they should return to the ballot system , but that some difference should be made in the arrangements . They proposed that every member should pay threepence on each ballot , and that all members who should be located should pay threepence also . They proposed to adopt the bonus also , but they desired that such bonus should go to the genern ' l fund , because by the present system the person benefitted by the bonus was actually receiving his benefit out of other people ' s money . Mr . J . Cosnell had not received positive written instructions , but he had received verbal ones , and

      these were decidedly to trust to Mr . O'Connor , and they hoped also that means would be taken to get rid of the discontented members . They had adopted the plan in Bradford , that every member who ( did hot como forward with his subscription in accordance with the rules of the Conference , should be struck off the books , and they had carried that plan into effect . ( Hear , hear . ) lie had a plan which he proposed to lay before the committee , which would , he thought , meet the wishes of all , even of the grumblers . ( Hear , hear , and laughter . ) Mr . Oliver was instructed that the company should be wound up , so that those who were really anxious should remain , and proceed to carry out

      the objects of the National Land Company . Mr . Edwards , like other delegates , had received no instructions . He thought that the dissatisfied members ought to be dealt with in a different fashion from that proposed by other members . He dealt with them very summarily , for he struck their names off the books . He thought it was see-sawing with them to deal with them otherwise . The great majority of the names so struck off had paid very little . If they were a legal body , they had the right of doing so ; if they were an illegal body they could do so , for they were beyond tho law . ( Laughter . ) Some stringent measures should be applied in order to get rid of these men . Mr . Athertos reiterated the opinions of the last

      member . Mr . Gilbertson , after giving a report of the same character as the preceding delegates , said that his constituents proposed , that a penny per share should be paid by each member for the first year , whether located or otherwise . They were opposed to the merging of the old company with the newthat they would hot . Mr . Polieit , said that if he were to act up to hisinstrLotions , he had very little to do , as his constituents had left the consideration of the question to his discretion . He might say , that they appeared to agree with the opinions of the others , that the eompany should not be wound up . The delegate expressed the same , or nearly the same opinions as nearly all the other delegates , Mr . Skevi 3 giok and Mr ; . Smitu also stated th . it heir eonsiitueats &d nOfi desire the company to be broken up . Tlieve was a considerable degree of apathy , on , the g \ iest : en , but the prooeedinga of the Conf ^ aaev * ibfij tec \ jne <\ , to the old system oi

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      the ballot , would tend to dispel all that , and encourage members to subscribe op . One suggestion was , that they should pay three half-pence per share , SSSLH ;? afund t 0 bencfi * tho company , and the propo sition was , that the company should not build houses on the land , but allow tho allottees to do so th . era f . , giving them' £ 40 , or whatever else might bq . decided on . There was no getting money from tbo mombers until something should be decided on . lie had various resolutions , but it would be suffi-? kaw « ¥ f- tJ i P when the . matters to which they applied came before tho Conference . * i > n i . i > TfAL _'»» . _ " _

      ifr . 0 ' Connor then rose to make tbe statementjor the Directors . He said the delegates would perfectly well understand the 1 delicacy ofjhis position at that moment , and therefore he-was not ofibr thevshadow of / an opinion ; but would leave the-Conference to 'decide whether they should keep ^ on , or at onco winS uptbG ^ eompany . He was determined to abide bgv ^ wbaeeyer mi ght bo ; the decision of the

      « SjjH > any , aud * ttS * C 4 juldibialy say , tKaW | they deoWed . on breaking "it " up , ' ' tUfey ^ oufirire ] fteve him from a greatdeal of $ xoubletand anxiety ; but , on the other haifd , if ' tKeys decided- upon keeping it on , he would not shrink from any responsibility they might impose on him . He would , in the first place , then , comment , very briefly on the statements which had fallen tfjoiathe different members ; and ho hoped the Conference would attend to this , that this was

      an early , or rather an intermediate , Conference , their annual meeting -not being necessary before the month of November . First , then , with regard to tho important question of registration ; they must be aware that poor men , whatever amount they had paidwhether one shilling , two shillings , three shillings , or four shillings ^ —had a perfect claim to the consideration of the company , ' as much as any other person ,-whatever amount he might have paid ; but , at tbe same time , there were a great many obstacles in the way of arranging business where so many trifling sums

      had to be . considered ; still , he said , they had an equal right to know what security they had , and whether it was likel y they should have a return for their money . This was the question that had puzzled him , because they knew that if the company were registered , this would stand then in tbe same position as other companies . He did not know whether they were aware that he had obtained a mandamus against the Registrar to register the company , and that the caso had already been twice before the Court of Queen's Bench . Mr . Justice Patteson , than whom there , was

      not a sounder lawyer on the English bench , met every one of the objections urged by the Attorney-General , who was opposed to them , and gave judgment in his ( Mr . O'Connor ' favour . From July to November there was no Court sitting , and , therefore , any delay now arising , was occasioned by the Attorney-General , who interposed every obstacle he could devise to the fulfilment of the object they had in view . But even now , with the judgment of the Court in their favour , they were not an illegal society . Justice Patteson said , he did not see that the law against the ballot

      interfered with this case , because it did not matter whether two years or two hundred years elapsed before a person mi g ht be located , and , therefore , he did not think the ballot illegal—so far with regard to the registration . ^ That was as far as the . case had gone in the ^ S ^ a ' siiBendBjand ; it had been in all cases decided in their favour . ( Hear , hear . ) With regard to the M'inding up of the company , that ho left entirely in their own hands , only impressing this upon their minds , that , notwithstanding the refusal of the Registrar , the Committee that sat on the National Land

      Scheme last year , in their reply to the House of Commons , recommended them to allow Mr . O'Connor to wind up the company , or to legalise it by an act of Parliament , and Mr , Henley , the member for Oxfordshire , said , that as 70 , 000 had signed their names to this plan , and only from 200 to 300 had been located , it should notbe opposed by Parliament . As soon as they found that the affairs of the company had been conducted with perfect honour and accuracy ; and that so far from his having received anything from the company , the company were owing him a

      considerable sum ; and , therefore , they at once acceded to the legalisation of the company . If the judgment of the Queen ' s Bench was in their favour—as on the former occasions—then there was an end of the question at once , for the Company would bo registered , or whether would they wish him to ask Parliament to pass an act legalising the company at once , without waiting for registration' { The House of Commons never refused to receive the recommendations of a committee , especiall y if that committee were unanimous . Pic had asked Sir George Groy and the

      Attorney-General , whether or not , in the event of the registration not being completed , they would pass a law to enable him to wind up tho company . The Attorney-General promised to communicate with him before the Conference , but he did not do so . He was too busy to do so then , but whether ho was too busy to do so now , he could not say . There were three questions before the Conference : First , tho registration consequent on the decision of the Queen ' s Bench ; Second , an Act of

      Parliament to legalise or to wind up the Company ; and Third , the location of the members , as originally proposed by the company , or as required by the circumstances of the case now . He had come to a , decision on this point , which he would , at the proper moment , lay before the Conference . In this case lie would ask them to remember , that in dealing with 70 , 000 persons , having different opinions and different views , spread over the whole of the country , and communicating daily these opinions and thesfiviewg to . the office—ho wished them to

      remember that in dealing with this large class , the subject must be very difficult , and the anxiety consequent on it , consequently great . He had always been in favour of the ballot , and Mr . Justice Patteson having now decided that the ballot was not illegal , he was more in favour of it than ever . With respect to tbo third question before the Conference , the proposition he had to make was , that where sixty allotments were to be located , one-third of these shares should be given to tho members already balloted , but not located ; another third to those who were not balloted for

      y et ; and another third to those who should be entitled to them by reason of the bonus . Another thing to which he sought to draw attention was , his liability to be called into the County Courts . That was alluded to by one of the delegates , and with respect to t he case which came on for trial at Northampton , be had only to say this—that had not Mr . Eoberts—moved b y a feeling of delicacyacknowledged that the writing on the back of the certificate was his , when it really was not ,

      Mr . Gubbins would not have recovered the 21 . 9 s . Qd . which he had got , much less the 51 . 5 s . He had not got much by his motion , for the action had cost him about 10 / ., while he had his % l . ds . M . for his pains . He had recovered 2 ? . 9 s . 9 J . only on the admission of Mr . Roberts that the signature was his , when , in fact , it was not so .. It . had been decided that he ( Mr . O'Connor ) was not accountable for any sums during the time they we provisionally registered , and the

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      ! greater proportion of the money had come \' m in that time . It was on that plea only ¦ that Mr . Gubbins got Jcdgment , Sb modi , - HhOT , for that . New ; , it ftad been saM that ! some of the men wlso ' liad got four-acre scripy for which they had paid oaly 7 s . Qd , y had now ike \ hardihood , to asfc 20 s . fou' it . Now , the purchasers had ; no claim on thesompany , even if they . did . sue-them . That was the position in which this company stood . My complaint that had arisen had arisen from the men who purchased . their shares- for 7 s . Qd . and sought to make a profit : of them . That much with regard to dissatisfied mem ¦ With regard

      jiQJJtiergingthe ' company ^ into toe new cornpipy , the delegates must ' throw that out of the question , It could not . be done . It would be W complete eatoupel on the new company . He would not , therefore , deal , iurthep , with that part ? q | ttie , busihess . . ( tPJH > JT were allawarebf tb > . di 8 aavaotege * of theab ' eltatee * ; but when they came to look at these , roads and these houses , and look at the crops that were growingthere , they would , h p thought , admitthat , at all events , no great time had been lost yet . Before this day two years he was prepared to say that they would see . this plan adopted by all the nations of the earth , who overstocked the labour market now . They would find that the land which wa . s . now lying idle would soon

      be covered with cottages and crops j and those would be found to sanction this plan who now spoke deridingly of it , because he was the promoter of it . It must be so , or there would be a revolution in - the country . They were coming upon times when the people would not consent to see the work done by machinery , and themselves starving , when the land was lying idle , and they could do so much better by labouring upon it . He had this to be thankful for—if for no more—that he had developed the plan which they were met that day to consider , and which he would pledge

      himself would bo fully carried into effect at no distant day . There were grumblers now , but the Conference would aee those very grumblers asking to join them , because they would see it was their interest to do so . One question was mooted' as to the propriety of having an agricultural Director 1 Why , there was Mr , Doyle ; he had devoted himself to agriculture for two years ; he had read all tho books on the subject , no man was a bottor practical farmer than him , and it was only necessary to look at his land-to prove it . It was said also that tbe Directors should be reduced .

      There was the financial secretary . He ( Mr . O'Connor ) had nothing to do with the money —they could ' not discharge him , for all the money passed through his hands , which was again petssed by him to Mr . M'Gowan , and by Mr . M'Gowan to the bankers . Then he had a secretary to himself , but the company did not pay for him . He had prepared the balancesheet , and he had examined Mr . Doyle's balance-sheet ; his own had been submitted to Mr . Gray , and audited b y him , and they would sec that they were in a manner , not surpassed by any balance-sheet ever prepared

      before . There would be no difficulty in understanding it . He had also brought his banker ' s book , and they should see that also . The whole had been a work of much labour , for with the multiplicity of small sums coming into the officers , it wasiiot " eiasy '' TO'keep accounts correctly . Now when he told them that they had available property to the extent of IG ' , 0007 . ; the company owed him some 3 , 000 / . or more , to which was to be added some l , 100 J . or 1 , 200 / ., but that he assured them he should not press for . Some objection had been urged to the bonus , but tho

      Conference should remember that if it were not for the bonus Bronisgrove could not have been located , Tho company had to boast of that which seldom fell to the lot of other companies to boast of—there was not one penny charged for legal expenses . He , as their representative , had not been summoned for any one farthiug by any tradesman or solicitor ; they had , therefore , not been put to any expenses on that account . He now came to the question that had been raised as to the allottees , and the disadvantages under which they laboured . Mr . O' Connor then explained the advantages the allottees had had on entering , and the fact that they had p aid no rent

      since they had been m possession . They had had amplo time ; they were aware of all the circumstances of the case under which they entered ; he was determined , however , that if the forthcoming year ' s rent were not paid , they should be compelled to leave . He was not astonished to find that these personshaving paid no rent were exceedingl y anxious to obtain leases of the property . The people had had ample time ; the Directors did not wish to press them when they were not well able to afford it ; and as proof that it was their object to confer on them aH the advantages they could , he would mention one matter . He received a letter from the Curate

      of Minster Lovel , asking what he would be permitted to obtain the school-room on that estate ' for , as he Avas desirous of instructing tho people on the estate . He replied , that he would tako no rent , that he was welcome to the use of it . He did come there ; the people were fond of him ; and yet , because it was said that this was a Socialist plan—a Communistic planthat it was framed by the Infidel Feargus O'Connor—theBislvpof Oxford was asked to discharge him , and measures were taken

      which compelled that gentleman to resign his situation . ( Shame . ) He could not give a better proof of the reproductive principle of this society than the fact , that even if only 30 , 000 out of the number of the subscribers were to remain true to the company , they , by subscribing three-halfp ence a week , would realise a sum of 13 , 000 / ,, which would pay all claimants . The speaker then went on to show how much might be effected for this sum , He had told them what they had to do ^ and he would now leave the matter in their hands ,

      confident that they would adopt such means as they thought proper for the object of benefiting the subscribers to the National Loan Fund . [ After some conversation , arising on some of the points adverted to in Mr . O'Connor's address , the matter dropped , it being understood that the subject should be resumed in the evening . ] The Election Committee was then appointed , the members being—Messrs . Edwards , Sutton , Munday , Skevington , and Taylor . Tho Conference then adjourned .

      Afternoon Sitting On resuming the sitting at half-past two o ' clock , The Chairman read several communications . Mr . Edwards , on the part of the Election Committee , reported that they found Messrs . "Wilson and Dowling were duly returned as delegates for London . . After some questions put to Mr . O ' Connor , and a discussion respecting the infraction of the regulations of last Conference ,

      Mr . Hardinc moved : — " That the company should continue its operations under the provision of the best means the company can devise . " Mr . IIaluweUj seconded the motion . Mr . Suiton moved , as an amendment : — " That the eompany should be wound up . " Mr . Oliver seconded the amendment . After a- desultory discussion , in which Messrs . Bostock , Flood , Skevisgtos , and other delegates took part , lie question was put to the vote ; and the original motion was carried by a great majority . _

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      Mi ' . Bostock tlien moved : — " That , in the opinion ot this Conference , ( he National Land Suheme can bo made reproductive . " Seconded by Mr . MonaAX . This question save riso to a very lengthened discussion , m which Mr . Mvndat and otlwr delegates took part , as to whether thi > land would reproduce arental , and support tho allottees l Messrs . Gilbert , 'Wheblbr , and Clklaxd , serefhijftt * I ™ n *?' ^ tho allottees . admitting that the land would clearly yield them an independence , although , at first , they were obliged to endure great hardships , which - rendered it necessary that thejr should ask tho patience of the company for , t short time longer . , Mr . O'Coxxor replied . He contended that they ( thfi Directors ) could net control the seasons ; and as tcr the capability of two or three acres of lahd for su'PP oi'ting a family , be would show—from other journals than the Northern Star— that that wa 3 the case .

      The discussion , after the wtlidrairal of tbo mo « tion , fell . The folio wing delegates wore then appointed an ' Audit Committee : —Messrs . Ediwards HarJinir , Lord , Sweet , Brown , Dowling , ancS Mortan . ; . The Conference then adjourned . : WETMfESDAY , AuousrS . : Iteming Sitting . 3 &e roll having- Been called , on the motion of jMesws . SKKViNGTOtfand Munday , the minutes were read and confirmed .-Credentials weretlara'presentedfrom XSaundcrs , fronvt&e Brighton dis . Mn > . ; , The \ Chairman of We- Siiianee Committee obtained * leave to delay thsiPTeport until the afternoon sitting .. - - ! - ¦ ¦

      Correspondence was tfien read from Messrs . Efeattae and Bradsuaw , relhtfye to oertauielaims they ,, as- » Hottees > had upomthe company . Mr _ . < Dti * K . explained the > circumstances render whiehTtlKF Directors had -i ^ Euaeu ¦ * to . < nomply . with th 0 S&elaim 9 , as " alsodid Mk , O'Connor ^ The-lasd Conference had certainly deoiited that Mr Bradshavr , one-of the claimants , slicHsld be paid'the a » wa of £ 30 by way of ; loan ; butting to tho funiteof the company , it had been impossible to compJyJ with the claim . . : ' . "

      Mr . O / CoxaoR apologised if lie-bad used any harsh expressions towards Mr . M'Lellhnd , whose character he highly ev \ logiscd . . Mr . O'CojBfoa then proposed ' s—" That , henceforth , mombers who have paid-up shall bo located upon the following term 3—ris ^ .: one-third to bo assigned to members who have been balloted , ono ; third to be balloted for by paid-up members , and one-third to be assigned to paid-up members who > shall pay the highest amount of boaus . " Mr . Lord seconded the motion .

      On the motion of Mr . Edwards , seconded b y Mr . Harding , the motion of last Conference , jelative to a quarter of eacli estate being nppregriated to balloted members , or a compensation ef £ 5 per share given in lieu thereof , was rescinded , Mr . Cosskll had proposed . 1 plan to his locality , which had been entirely approved © f , and would submit it to the Conference as an amendment to that of Mr . O'Connor : — " That members be located by bonus instead of by ballot ; that 300 members should each pay £ 1 per year , and then ballot amongst themselves for . 1 member to be

      located , they to nay back the interest of the money and the principal by instalments . " He entered into elaborate calculations to show its practicability , the calculations being based on tho principles of a . buildin" society and a money club . Mr . O'Gosxor showed that it would act well as a local arrangement , but that it would bo impossible to carry it out as a national plan , and would effectually bar the legalisation of the company . Mr . IIaudixg expressed . similar viows to those o £ Mr . O'Connor , and expressed doubts whether its complexity would not be a barrier own to its local adoption .

      Questions wove then asked by Mr . Oliver , relative to tho money invested in the redemption fucd and whether it could be applied to the bonus fund . Mr . O'Connor assured him that it could . Mr . Skevinotox was in favour of the balloting being carried on in districts , the country to be divided for that purpose . Messrs . Morgan ' ,. Irvin-e , and others , showed its impracticability , and expressed theirapproval of tho perfect fairness of the system of balloting previously adopted . Mr . Musday moved : — " That tho members bo located by ballot , and that each member bo allowed an extra cliiincc in the ballot , by paying an extra amount in the shape of extra ballot shares , and that the member being so located be allowed it in his rent charge . " He expressed'his opinion that it would be more fair to the poor members , than the system of bonus . The amendment was not seconded .

      Mr . Sawders was 111 favour of the p lan laid down by Mr . O'Connor , as it would give satisfaction to all the members , whether they jy ^ re in . fa , vour . of bonus ¦ or b ' allot v "Ifc tvusted ' thcy would allow ' members to purchase the shares of the dissatisfied , and place them to their credit in the bonus account , a weekly subscription should also be < untercu" into ' by the members , until all were located . Mr . O'Coxxok ' s motion was then adopted . Mr . Bagshaw moved , and Mr . Tayi . oh seconded : —• " That lid . per share , per week , bo paid in continuity by all mombers , whether located or unlocated , but no member holding more than four shares should be required to pay for more , unless he chose . "

      Air . Bostock wished to know whether . 1 member purchasing a quantity of shares , would have to pay the lid . upon all the shares so purchased . Mr . O'Coxxou explained that they would , or it would bo open to collusion . Mr . Bostock thought thoyshould toko some steps to induce members to pay up their shares before they levied this extra tax upon them . Ho thought it would prove impracticable , and would hinder them from paying up . Mr . Siii'iox tliousht it would bo breaking faith

      with those who , on Mr . O'Connor ' s suggestion , had purchased shares , if thoy levied this extra amount upon them . Mr . Yates : Parties purchasing shares should be allowed to have them placed to their credit in the redemption department . Mr . IIaudixo thought it imperative thoy should disengage themselves tram tho dissatisfied , by selling or mortgaging the rent charge of the estates . Mr . O'Co . vnur : That would be tho very worst plan of winding up the company .

      Mr . Gilbeiitsox asked a question relative to tho transfer of shares , which elicited remarks from . Messrs . M'Gnith , Clark , Edwards , Dixon , and others , in which it was clearly elicited that purchase shares had not boon and could not be received as bonus , but if a member had paid £ 2 on his own account , and purchased another shai-o on -wljuh 10 s . had been paid , the sum would be placed to the purchaser's prior share , and Jie would stand on tho company ' s books as having paid £ 2 10 s . Mr . Muxjjat inquired the number of paid-up shareholders , and in reply it was stated that they amounted to about 17 , 000 . Mr . Taylor : Supposing that out of 17 , 000 shareholders , 11 , 000 were dissatisfied , nnd the lumnining 0 , 000 purchased their share ? , he thought they ought not to be called upon to pay the lid . per week on these purchased shares , but only on those for which they stood the ballot .

      Mr . Edwaiws asked the Directors ll they could enforce the payment ; the local secretaries could not obtain levies , they were victimised for their expenses . He had dealt summarily with the grumblers , and turned them out ; the paid-up members had a licence to grumble . Mr . O'Cosnor thought it would bo better to wind up tho affairs of the company if the shareholders would not abide by tho decision of their delegates . Mr . Taylor : They had now given them the stimulant of . the ballot , which would induce many to pay up . . Mr . Smith considered it would be only a recommendation , and that the members would not pay until it was legalised .

      Mr . Dowuxc thought the ballot would induce them to pay up ; )» s constituents had lost all hopes since the bonas had been adopted , but that would restore confidence . It was then carried that they resolve themselves into committee . Mr . Gilbekxson moved , " That branches or individual members be allowed to purchase the shares of those who are dissatisfied , and apply the same either to pay uptheir own shares , or , if paid up , to go as bonus . " Mr . Skevin'oton stated his constituents were of the same feeling as those of Birmingham . Litile money would be paid until it was legalised ; there was but little inducement to purchase the shares of the dissatisfied ; he thought they had better suspend operations until after the decision in the Queen's Uench . Mr . Bostock understood , from the reports given in , that the meinbcra would have confidence if tho ballot was adopted , and dependence placed in Mr . O'Connor regardless of the law .

      , Mr . Skevisctox explained , that if they entirely abandoned any idea of getting legalised they might restore confidence , but not while they remained in a state of suspense , continually endeavouring to got legalised , but failing . A discussion then took place as to whethev-ih © company was now under provisional registration or whether it was out of the pale of the law ; and whether they could scratch members who had 1106 complied with the calls of the company . Mr . O'CoNXon promised to obtain the best local opinion and publish it in the ensuing Northern Star . ( Continued to the Eighth page . )

      .V _ - ... R National Laxd Conference, Snig's End, Gloucestershire.

      . v _ - ... r NATIONAL LAXD CONFERENCE , SNIG'S END , GLOUCESTERSHIRE .

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      J , lr . Layard is again prosccutina his researches ali Nineveh , chiefly on the profits of his valuablo wcrk , awl oa Wvi . assistance oi" liis relations aud friends .

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      AND NATIONAL * TRADES' JOURNAL .

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      other VOL . ffl HQ . 616 . 2 _^ LONDON , SATDRftlfr AJUST ftliT ^ ^ wa g ggfew ^ . . ... . - ¦» . » ¦ : * . xtiii _ . _— . f ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^*^™*™™*^ " ^^^ bbi

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 11, 1849, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1534/page/1/