314 REPORT— 1887. 



Lane Mills, where wages were lower than at any other mill in the town. 

 The result of the strike was to raise the wages at these mills. And the 

 first list was then formed, being based on the average paid in the town. 

 This did not prove satisfactory and another list was made in 1866 based 

 on the average of eleven districts, and turned out to be a great advance on 

 the former list, giving in many cases 15s. a head increase.' 



This view of the origin of the lists, viz., that they were based on the 

 average wages paid in the districts in which they were adopted, is borne 

 out by the evidence of those concerned in drawing them up. Their sub- 

 sequent development is marked chiefly by (1) the gradual definition of 

 the normal duties of the minder by specifying the allowances he is en- 

 titled to for extra duties, (2) the working out of the principles in detail, 

 and (3) the formation of the Oldham list. 



Effects op the Lists. 



The lists have not succeeded in removing all probability of dispute 

 between employer and employed. They have, it is true, introduced 

 uniformity into the payment of wages in the cotton trade, caused wages 

 to be payable on definite and known principles, adjusted the wages of 

 different classes of spinners, and defined strictly the duties of the opera- 

 tive ; but they do not make wages vary either with the varying cost of 

 the raw material or the varying prices realised for the finished product. 

 The standard, in other words, implies a given condition of trade. A 

 changed condition, e.g., a rise or fall in the price of yarn, when fully 

 established results in a percentage being added to or taken from the 

 wages payable. The method of determining the occasion and the amount 

 of alteration is determined by negotiation between the association of 

 employers and the association of spinners. Strange to say, the lists do 

 not provide that such an important matter should be referred to arbitra- 

 tion in case an agreement cannot be arrived at ; but the new Bolton list, 

 issued only a few weeks ago, does contain a provision that matters in 

 dispute shall be referred to a, joint committee. It is difficult to see how 

 the price either of the raw material or of the yarn could be taken into 

 account without making the lists exceedingly complex, and as they now 

 stand they are necessarily anything but simple. To ascertain the prices 

 given or realised would entail a great amount of labour, and as far as can 

 be ascertained no such proposal to add these additional elements to the 

 lists has been made by either the employer or employed. 



The Committee desire to express their thanks to those gentlemen who 

 have assisted so ably in furnishing materials for the reports. They are 

 specially indebted to Mr. J. Mawdsley, Secretary of the Amalgamated 

 Association of Operative Cotton Spinners ; Mr. T. Birtwistle, Secretary 

 of the Weavers' Association ; Mr. J. 0. Fielden, of Manchester ; and Mr. 

 J. T. Fielding, of Bolton. 



WEAVING. 



The Committee have been able to secure twenty-two lists that have been 

 or are now in force in the weaving industry. Of these lists the most 

 important are the Blackburn list of 1853 for plain cloth, and the North 

 and North-east Lancashire list of 1887 for fancy cloth. The Burnlev, 



