58 AN INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH RURAL HISTORY 



chestnut-tree, Joseph Arch, a farm labourer and lay preacher, 

 addressed the gathering for more than an hour. The 

 outcome of this meeting was the spread of Trade Union- 

 ism throughout rural England. It soon became evident 

 that the movement was to become a national one. 



On May 29, 1872, a congress met at Leamington for the 

 purpose of organizing the numerous smaller Unions into 

 a great National Union. Eighty representatives, all of 

 whom were bona-fide farm labourers; attended from twenty- 

 six counties. It was resolved to form a National Agricul- 

 tural Labourers' Union consisting of representatives elected 

 by the various district Unions. The Executive Committee 

 was to consist of twelve farm labourers, a chairman, and 

 a secretary, elected annually by congress. Joseph Arch 

 was elected chairman, and Henry Taylor secretary. It 

 was also decided to form an Advisory Committee of " gentle- 

 men favourable to the principles of the National Agricul- 

 tural Labourers' Union." 



The objects of the National Union may be thus sum- 

 marized : (1) "To improve the general condition of agri- 

 cultural labourers in the United Kingdom." (2) "A fair 

 day's pay for a fair day's work," viz. 9J hours a day ex- 

 clusive of meal-times for 16s. a week. (3) " To encourage 

 the formation of Branch and District Unions." (4) "To 

 promote co-operation and communication between the 

 Unions already in existence." 



Collapse of the National Union. 



By means of the National Union a widespread agitation 

 was conducted throughout England. At the second Annual 

 Conference held at Leamington in May 1873, the total 

 membership of the Union was reported to be 71,835. A 

 year later, it had risen to 86,214. This success was achieved 

 in spite of the determined hostility of a large section of the 

 landowners, clergy, and farmers. Thousands of labourers 

 were emigrated to the colonies by the Union, whilst many 

 others were transferred from certain parts of the country 

 to other areas where conditions were less severe. 



With the object of " breaking " the Union, the farmers 

 formed counter-organizations. Hundreds of labourers were 

 ejected from their cottages at a week's notice, simply 

 because they refused to sever their connection with the 

 Union. Early in 1874, the farmers adopted the "lock- 

 out " method ; and, within a few months, it was estimated 



