LABOUR PROBLEMS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 49, 12 October 1911, Page 4

LABOUR PROBLEMS.

E;;rl Brassoy, in his capacity of Pro-

sident of the Association of Chamber:; of Commerce of tlie United Kingdom, made some noteworthy remarks on the labour problem in his speech dolivored in Dublin the other day. Hit lordship, than whom fc\r men are hotter qualified to give an opinion on the subject, observed that the labour unrest called for fbe deepest thought from statesmen, moralists, economists, employers, and, above all, from the multitudes of the employed—alwayr the chief sufferers from the collapse

and paralysis of trade thr.t it was admitted that in recent years the workers in the main have shared in the general prosperity. The standard of living had been raised. But. there was a darker side to the picture, and the workers no doubt had their grievances. His lordship proceeded to handle the other end of the stick “I have,” ho said ‘.‘pleaded for consideration for the workers, and now let us do justice to employers in our British industries. The skilful conduct of business is a prime element in tlie greatness and prosperity of a country. Hazards are inevitable; keen competition keeps down profits. On tl'.e railways the working yields a slender return to capital; in shipping, tiio pride of our country, profits arc precarious in a singular degree. It is certain that concessions to ivorkers cannot bo borne without compensation in prices, rates, and fares. It may bo admitted that the additions required to cover the cost of the recent increase in the reward of the labour world will be little felt, distributed as they should ho over consumers at large, and necessarily shared in their due proportion by the earners of wages.” Earl Brassoy concluded with the very just observation that in so far as the organisation of business on the gigantic scale of modern time permits, employers should endeavour to bo accessible to their men.

He stated