§ Mr. Sadlerhad the honour to be intrusted with several Petitions, which he begged to present, namely, of the Inhabitants of Dews-bury, in favour of the Bill for limiting the hours of labour of children in factories, which was signed by many of the principal manufacturers of the town, and declared, that while the overworking of children had never been profitable to the masters, it had proved lamentably prejudicial o the children. This petition was signed by between 2,000 and 3,000 persons in a few days. Another petition was from the Inhabitants of Heckmondwike in favour of the same Bill, and recommending a careful inquiry into the subject, with a view more especially to protect those master manufacturers who were disposed to act with humanity, from the effects of a mischievous competition. This petition was signed by 1,100 persons. Thirdly, he had the Petition of the Inhabitants of Keighley, agreed to at a public meeting convened by the Constable of the place; signed by a great number of individuals, among whom were master spinners, who expressed themselves anxious for a modification of the present system. Also, a similar petition from operative cotton-spinners and others, engaged in the cotton factories in the county of Renfrew. Also, the petition of workers in the power-loom factories at Glasgow, signed by between 6,000 and 7,000 persons in two days, praying for the removal of a system which tended to demoralize the minds, and destroy the bodily health, of the children employed. Also, similar petitions from the inhabitants of St. Alban's, and of Calne. Those petitions spoke plainly the feelings of the people, and he would not weaken their effect by any comments of his own.
§ Mr. Stricklandsupported the prayer of these petitions. He would avail himself of this opportunity of contradicting an assertion, that attempts had been, made by the friends of the Bill to bring unmerited charges against the masters. He was assured that most of the owners of factories were anxious that some such measure as the present should become a law, so that the evils complained of might be removed. Every one who attentively considered the subject, must arrive at the conclusion, that the present system had 895 not arisen from a spirit of inhumanity on the part of the masters, but from the competition. Some of the clauses of the Bill, at present would, perhaps, require to be modified, and he should be happy to render any assistance in his power to make the measure efficient.
§ Mr. Huntsupported the prayer of these petitions with great pleasure. He was glad that the masters had at last found an hon. Member to defend them. Until he had been informed by the hon. Member, who last addressed the House, that this pernicious system of overworking children arose from competition, he had thought that it was occasioned by the cupidity of the masters.
§ Petitions to be printed.