DISABLED WORKERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 223, 8 June 1918, Page 13

DISABLED WORKERS

THEIR PART IN COMING TRADE WAR

USEFUL OCCUPATIONS

It is a truism littered that our Imperial trade cau bo tiaved from the intrusion of 'Germany only by the lioarty co-operation of' labour. The statement is beyond' dispute, but needs examining by the light of fact. Especially is this the case when it is followed by reference to cheap labour nnd low wages. The fancy goods'trade, and particularly that branch of. it, concerned in the manufacture of ladies' bags; olfers apposito instruction on this point. Before the war Germany enjoyed a monopoly in ladies' bags; a monopoly. sho Js by no means likely -to regain. Meinbcrs of the British trade, who now make' their owii bays'and are quietly'"determined'to continue doing so against all'aggression,.are not frightened by .the question of cheap labour. They point but that the cheaper bags formerly made by Germany were' indeed turned out in. largo numbers by the employment of out-workeirs, who were generally peasants witli a strip of land to cultivate,', and tliere(fore not wholly dependent "on the industry; but for the better class of bags wages were%ot low. If wo are beaten after the war it will bo. only in the-cheaper'lines; but they are far from anticipating defeat even here. The solution of the problem may be found in the establishment of out-workers in this country; men and.women whoso settlement on th© land may loavo them with i some leisure time for liglitor work than agriculture.' This, however, is but a suggestion tliSt , a !way to compete with the German may be found without any "exploitation" of labour. Tho movement for homo industries may also help, though as yet, since it is still in its infancy, , its j probable progress can be hardly gauged. I Striking Results.

With regard to the more expensive type of bags, which call for great skill and deftness in awnufacture, very striking results have'been already achieved by disabled aohiiers. Thereby hangs a tale' that does infinite credit both to employer and employed. A certain manufacturer turned out yearly a compaiiatively smallwiumber of ladies' bags before " the war.- Whon the war cut o';f the supply from Germany lie found ilis business 1 onormoiisiy increased. He resolved that, tlio war profits left hint after meeting 1 tho demands of the State should' not be altogether destined to his own pocket; some of them—a considerable proportion it turned out to be— 1 should go to the 'benefit of the men who were, fighting the nation's battles. His method, was practical.. He sought out disabled men in the hospitals of England and France and tho internment camps of Switzerland, and arranged for them to .be taught the business he knew best. . Himself he spent no small por•tioiil of his own-time in tho lessons, and, to the extent of his financial ability, endowed the learners with a view to their setting up in business on their own account. Under his wise tuition these, men developed surprising gifts of comprehension and skill. In his own factory, where special _ accommodation has been provided for limbless soldiers, they have made enough bags to stock an exhibition stall—between .£6OO and JE7OO- -

We may quote a few of the records. The first is that of a man without legs, who was formerly in the Royal Fusilier; in fifteen months he lies so completely mastered the craft as to have finished dozen bags, two dor.en purses, and a dozen wallets.. Another from the Middlesex Regiment was formerly a greengrocer's assistant; disabled, he has learnt this new calling, and in sixteen months has made six and three-quarter dozen ; ,bags, and <> dozen each of purses and. wallets; 'A third case is that of a regular soldier from the Wiltshire Regiment; his term of employment dates !>ack eighteen months, in which time ho has not only made dozens of bngs, purses, .and wallets, but showed such aptitudo that ho has been chosen ns instructor in leather working ti :i technical institute in the-provinces. i .- "• f;". ■ Wages, For tljese achievements to be properly appreciated it mnst be explained thnt making a. bag in this factory means making it throughout, no par.t is supplied by another worker. The confidence inspired Ik the men is shown by the fact that th-iy have been entrusted with the manipulation of the most expensive leather purchasable. Their •ivages are high, but the scheme embraces the turning of them into master men. The benevolent instructor has ideas of co-operation on the lines of business mingled with philanthropy. 1 Having proved what can be done by intelligent teaching, he to give his pupils the fairest - thence o*' putting their knowledge into prosperous . practice.' Toyiriaking is another trade iu which the badly-wounded soldier is showing his aptitude. In the Lord Roberts's Memorial Workshops both soldiers and sailors have done splendid work. Here, also, are craftsmen ivho need not fear foreign competition.' ' '