I think when that was said there was a far greater tendency for the 'upper class' to regard the 'working class' as a homogenous group resource rather than individuals who actually could each have aspirations, feelings and desires. Note the use of "their native taste" not "our native taste". This was especially evident during WWl when they became cannon-fodder to be used up by the generals.

As the Labour Party and the unions fought for workers' rights, this gradually (very gradually) changed until the sixties when, with considerable disposable income, they became an important market in the consumer society.