300 ENGLISH AGRICULTURAL LABOURER. 



the ordinary labourers varied from 365. to 425. per week 

 the majority receiving the higher rate. 



On December 28, 1918, the farmers took advantage of 

 this low minimum to reduce the wages of all labourers to 

 365. a week, on the ground that it was customary to reduce 

 wages for the winter period. As the cost of living was 

 still rising, the workers determined to resist this reduction, 

 and demanded in its place an increased minimum wage of 

 455. per week, resolving to give a week's notice to stop 

 work if it was not granted. 



Now, though the Corn Production Act had been in exist- 

 ence over sixteen months the farmers refused to acknowledge 

 any communication from the Secretary of the Workers' 

 Union, but instead, published their decision in the local 

 press on January 3, 1919, which was that the labourers 

 were to have 2 per week, horsekeepers and cowmen 

 2 45., rootmen 8s. a day and threshing men 95. a day. 

 These rates were rejected by the men, who resented the 

 attitude of the farmers in not recognising their Union. 



Mr. Harry White, the organiser, failed to secure an 

 interview with the farmers' chairman, and on January 6, 

 300 men ceased work, including 30 non-union men. By the 

 end of the week over 400 men were out, including 100 non- 

 unionists, all of whom joined the Union during the strike. 



The Agricultural Wages Board and the Food Production 

 Department now came on the scene, with the result that 

 on January 17 a conference was arranged between the 

 farmers and workers, and it was mutually decided to refer 

 the matter to arbitration, the men returning to work on 

 the 2oth, after being out a fortnight. 



Sir Charles Longmore was appointed arbitrator. He met 

 representatives from both sides on February 20. Mr. 

 Harry White stated the workers' case whilst Mr. Ruston 

 stated the employers'. On March 8 the award was 

 issued. It declared that from January 17 to the corn 

 harvest the following rates should be paid : labourers 

 and yardmen, 425. for a forty-eight hours' week ; horse- 

 keepers and cowmen 505. for customary hours ; rootmen 

 us. per day of eight hours ; threshing men, 12s. per day 



