GROWTH UNDER STORMY SKIES. 217 



rather than pay the fine, accompanied by 200 comrades, 

 carrying hayrakes, forks and red flags and singing Labour 

 songs, marched to the Police Station to deliver themselves 

 up. They preferred imprisonment for a good cause to 

 being fined. The Superintendent of Police, of course, 

 refused to take them, and once more on the march home 

 the good people of Saffron Walden opened their eyes very 

 wide at this motley, bucolic crowd singing songs and lifting 

 hayrakes and forks high aloft like some decorative panel 

 of Walter Crane's. 



Though a dispute had arisen as far back as February, 

 the strike itself lasted only about eight weeks, for the begin- 

 ning was a lock-out by the farmers. Twenty-three members 

 of the Union were victimised well into the summer and it 

 was not till then that the strike was actually declared, in- 

 volving over 400 -men. And, strangely enough, a settle- 

 ment only occurred on the day before the whole nation 

 was involved in a militant strike against German despotism. 



On August 3 the Federation of Farmers agreed to the 

 following terms : 



" The Federation of Farmers agree to reinstate all men going 

 out at time of strike. Harvest men to be paid not less than 8, 

 other hands and these also, not to have less than 153. per week ; 

 men not to be refused work wet or fine." 1 



This was a distinct gain for the men, for not only did 

 it mean a rise of 2s. a week, but that wages should be paid 

 wet or fine. 



Whilst the farmers in North Essex were locking-out 

 labourers for daring to join a trade union to better their 

 conditions, the King was taking steps to recognise the 

 National Agricultural Labourers' Union at Sandringham. 

 It might be said indeed that his Majesty the King was the 

 first farmer to recognise an agricultural labourers' union 

 in England. This decision had far-reaching effects. 



In March, 1914, there was much unrest amongst the farm 

 workers of Norfolk and Nottingham. In Nottingham two 

 members of the Farmers' Union granted is. increase to all 

 men in their employ, whilst the Nottingham Corporation, 



1 Trade Union Congress Report, 1915. 



