Kent Agricultural Labourers' Protection Association (1866, 1867 and 1868)

Post date: Mar 17, 2013 5:31:41 PM

Extract from Maidstone Telegraph, 5th May 1866

WATERINGBURY.

—The labourers of this parish met on last Monday night week, and again on Friday night, at the "Barley Mow¹," when several members enrolled themselves, in addition to those who have given in their names as members of the "Kent Agricultural Labourers Protection Association." The officers of this branch were then duly appointed, and the delegate to act the executive council.

Extract from Maidstone Telegraph, 26th May 1866

WATERINGBURY. —The Wateringbury Branch of the Kent Agricultural Labourers' Protection Association, continues to enrol members at the Barley Mow. All information may be obtained by labourers' in this district.

Extract from Maidstone Telegraph, 26th January 1867:

Another illustration of the coercion and cowardice of a farmer was given publicly on Monday night last by the aggrieved party also, and in the hearing of those who could substantiate his assertion. It appears that a labourer in the district of Wateringbury has been engaged on one farm in that neighbourhood for upwards of fifty two years, and about eleven weeks since he received notice from the bailiff that his wages would be reduced from 2s 5d to 2s. No reason was assigned for it till a week since, when the poor labourer came in conversation with his employer and expostulating with him the reduction of his wages, he was informed that it was in consequence of his being an active member of that "paltry rotten society,"— alluding to the Kent Agricultural Labourers' Protection Association. The man was further told if he did like the reduction he might leave, and if he did not leave the society he would take care he did not obtain work in the neighbourhood. The labourer, —a very intelligent man, far above the average, may be imagined when we state that he has been secretary for a friendly society for number of years, and a man highly respected— reasoned with his master on the injustice of his case, and endeavoured to argue his right and liberty to join any society, but all his appeals to his honor and Christian feeling were in vain. Here is a sad example of the manner in which an aged servant for fifty two years is served, after toiling for that period for other's aggrandisement. Numerous other cases might be cited in proof that the oppression under which the English Agricultural labourer exists is far worse than the condition of the once serfs of Russia.

Extract from Maidstone Telegraph 2 June 1866.

AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS.

An important meeting of the delegates and officers of the various branches of the " Kent Agricultural Labourers' Protection Association " was held at the Castle Inn, Week-street, Maidstone, on Monday evening last, when representatives from the Branches Boughton, Bearsted, Loose. Farleigh, Sutton, Wateringbury, &c., were present. An apology for non-attendance was read from Yalding.

The Secretary opened the proceedings detailing the advances made in the various districts, and reading the financial statements as they then stood. After which the Chairman, Sub-Chairman, Treasurer, Auditors, Secretary, and Trustees of the Executive Council, were proposed and seconded and unanimously carried. After some interesting discussion, the secretary stated that it would the duty of the various branches to forward their first monthly return sheet the third Monday in June. He further said that the bond was prepared for signature for Treasurer, one that prior to their next monthly meeting the rules would be forwarded the various secretaries for distribution. The Secretary of the Bearsted branch stated that they intended to hold their meetings in future at the Oak Inn, Bearsted, at which labourers in that district were invited to be present and enrol. The reports from Bearsted, Loose, Boughton, Farleigh, Sutton, Wateringbury, and Yalding were most promising, and every anticipation expressed of the movement spreading. In reply to an interrogation, the Executive Secretary said that soon as matters were fully arranged,it was in contemplation, with the sanction of the Executive Council, to break up fresh ground by opening new branches.

Extract from Maidstone Telegraph 4 May 1867

THE AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS.

A crowded and enthusiastic meeting of the agricultural Labourers' was held at the North Pole, Wateringbury, on Saturday night last for the purpose of forming a second lodge in this district. The Chair was taken by Mr Baker, (President of the Executive Council) about half-past 8. The Secretary of the Executive Council opened the proceedings giving a brief outline of the formation, working, and present position of the Kent Agricultural Labourers' Protection Association. Considering the difficulties that had been thrown in their path, he had every reason to congratulate them on the prosperity that had resulted from their efforts. Mr Baker, the President of the Executive Council, in a lengthy and able address, alluded to the past progress of the society, and strongly exhorted all present to put the shoulder to the wheel to endeavour to make the society a great success. At the termination of the proceedings, four and twenty members were enrolled. The Secretary hoped that Bearsted, Barming, Malling, and other districts would follow the noble example of Wateringbury. Three cheers for the President and Secretary brought the proceeding to a close.

Extract from Maidstone Telegraph of 30th May 1868

KENT AGRICULTURAL LABOURERS.

A meeting of the labourers of Wateringbury was held at the Wheatshief public house on Saturday evening last, when there was exceedingly good attendance from the adjoining districts. The meeting was addressed by Mr Baker, president of the Executive Council, at some length, showing the great advantages of combination as illustrated by other trades, who owed their position solely to their unions. In the course his remarks he exhorted all present to renewed energies for the purpose of strengthening their hands, and protecting their labour against the inroads and coercion of capital. Attempts were now being made in all circles of society to elevate and improve the condition of the labourer, and whose duty it was to put their shoulders to the wheel for their own redemption. The Secretary of the Executive Council followed with a detailed account of the operations and the great good effected by the Agricultural Labourers' Protection Association. He stated that it was the determination of the Council to attempt to infuse new vigour into their movement and for that purpose aid had been proffered them from the National Labourers' Union in London. A conference of that union would shortly be held at which the President and himself had been deputed to attend. He then referred to the great advantages offered by the Labourers Friendly Society above those of their ordinary clubs, but particularly directed the attention of the Secretaries and Officers to the duty of recovering their trade subscriptions first before accepting the friendly contributions. Those who adhered to the movement would in the end reap advantages not possessed by those who neglected their duty. He believed that the employers would be too glad to see a good and strong society of labourers, and that the fear entertained by the men were more imaginary than real, and that in many instances put forward as a plea for spending every farthing in the beer-house, rather than attempting to do good for themselves and their children.

1. Barley Mow also known as The Wheatsheaf

In 1833 a group of farm labourers at Tolpuddle, Devon formed a branch of the Agricultural Labourers Union. Its six leaders were arrested and charged under the 1797 Unlawful Oaths Act. Found guilty they were sentenced to seven years' transportation to Australia.It was not until 1866 that an organised attempt was made to combine when the Agricultural Labourers Protection Association was formed in Kent. As labour was scarce at that time, the men were able to get their wages raised. Similar organizations were formed in Buckinghamshire, Herefordshire and Hertfordshire. In March 1872 a meeting was held in Wellsbourne, Warwickshire and it was decided to unite these different agricultural unions. The delegates elected Joseph Arch, a farm labourer and Methodist lay preacher as their leader. Officially established in May, 1872, within two years the National Agricultural Labourers' Union had over 86,000 members, over one-tenth of the farm work force in Britain. A prolonged strike in 1874 drained the union of funds and membership had declined to 4,254 by 1889.