On Tuesday night, a deputation from the Operative Painters Union
met a deputation from the master painters, who are anxious that a good understanding between the masters and men should exist, to take into consideration the best means by which the differences which have so long existed between them might be now terminated. The meeting was held at the Queen's Arms, Red Lion Square. Mr. Robertson, a respectable master painter, was called to the chair. Several articles relating to the wages of journeymen, the number of hours they shall work each day, &c. were unanimously agreed to. A resolution " That the masters do form themselves into a society to act in union with the men, subscribing or otherwise raising the nieans to establish a fund to effect a gradual but total abolition of the building monopoly," was also adopted ; after which the meeting separated. Both masters and men anticipate the best effects frcm this interview.— Times.
Sheer humbug. It is unquestionably the interest of masters and men, of those who have capital and those who have skill and labour, to pull together, and be friends; but as soon as this shall cease to be the case—or rather, as soon as either party shall fancy it the interest of such party to quarrel—this union will fall to pieces. The idea of the small masters uniting with the workmen to break down the building monopoly of the large capitalists, is superlatively absurd. A resolution at a tavern-meeting cannot alter the framework of society, or destroy the advantages of wealth. To what purpose is the fund to be applied ? To petitioning Par- liament for the abolition of a monopoly which no legislation can touch, because it is imaginary ? To the support of the master subscribers or the workmen, when some large contract is taken by the capitalist on lower terms and with better security for its fulfilment than the man of small means can offer ?—"I'lle brick- layers might as well unite to abolish the painters' monopoly; for the exclusive knowledge of the art of painting is just as much a monopoly as any which the largo builders by virtue of their capital possess.
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