CHAPTER XII 



VILLAGE TRADE UNIONS 

 (TWENTIETH CENTURY) 



George Edwards. 



The collapse of the National Agricultural Labourers' 

 Union did not drive out the spirit of Trade Unionism from 

 the breast of the rural worker. It thus happened that 

 when Arch retired from public life in 1900, his mantle 

 fell upon worthy shoulders. 



George Edwards had been a co-worker with Arch during 

 the struggles of the 'seventies and 'eighties. He had rendered 

 yeoman service in the fight for the county franchise, Parish 

 and District Councils, Education, Allotments and Small Hold- 

 ings. His aim was to secure for the farm labourer not only 

 shorter hours and higher wages, but freedom from tyranny. 

 It was his conviction that this could only be achieved by 

 united action : hence he was in favour of a strong Union. 



Like Arch, George E'dwards was a farm labourer. He 

 was born at Marsham, ten miles from Norwich, in 1850 ; 

 and was one of a family of seven. His father, also a farm 

 labourer, was earning 8s. a week. This extremely meagre 

 income was eked out by the earnings of George's mother 

 by means of handloom weaving. 



At the age of twenty-two, George Edwards became a 

 local preacher in connection with the Primitive Methodist 

 Church. As he had never been to school, he was unable 

 to read or write. His wife, however, assisted him to acquire 

 some education. In spite of all disadvantages, he became 

 a member of his District Council, and in 1914 was made 

 a Justice of the Peace for the county of Norfolk. At the 

 General Election of 1918, he unsuccessfully contested 

 South Norfolk, but in 1920 he was successful, entering 

 Parliament as Member for South Norfolk. 



Obstacles to Progress. 



Many obstacles lay in the path of progress. Allotments 

 were scarce in many areas. Small holdings were few in 



