WORK, WAGES, AND PROFITS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 4050, 1 October 1887, Page 3

WORK, WAGES, AND PROFITS.

Social economists, trade unionists, and all interested m industrial questions will do well to study an article which Mr Edward Atkinson contributes to the Century. Its scope and purpoße are indicated intlio title, "Low Prices, High Wages, Small Profits : What Makes Thorn 1" Wbilo tho experiences are those of America, the lessons may bo readily applied to this country. The direction of the author's sympathies will also be understood here by his adoption of the saying, m reference to a fall m prices, "it does not much matter what happens to 6he millionaire — how h \b with the million V Facts and statistics are considered from this important point of view, and here are tbo conclusions arrived at: — While tho purchasing power of a day's or year's labour has increased since 1860 from 40 to 70 per cent, according to the trade or skill of tho workman, and from 66 to 108 per cent, aince 1885, and while (he earning power of capital, considered without ref{urd to the skill of its owner, has diminished absolutely one-half, and relatively at least 75 per cunt, since 1860, there have yet been periods when it hn* been difficult for many workmen to find work, when also capital could not find employment, and when there was want m the midst of abundance. Can these faults m the present forms and methods of society be remedied by legislation, by co-operation, by profit-shearing, or by the Stato assuming moro and raoro tho control and direction of the forces of

capital? These are quistiuns which demand an answer. The answer given is to the effect, that, while much may be done by tho State, iudividual action only can lift people out of the slough of poverty. Mr Atkinson says : — Nine-tenths of the occupations of the people of this country m point of number still depend upon the individual capacity, the mental development, the mechanical aptitude, or the manual dexterity of each ! person. Only one m ten is occupied m a ' great factory where the conduct of the work depends upon the minute subdivision of labour. Does not this fact bear witness to the necessity of ! promoting the development of the individual m order that common welfare may be attained by every man, woman, and child m the community t What can the State do for its citizens m helping them to' obtain subsistence, if the people who constitute the State are themselves incapable of sustaining their own families under present conditions ? Skill nnd intelligence are needed to tiyjht the battle of life, and the more we strive to educate our people to meet the industrial wants and requirements of the day, the greater will be our triumphs m raising them to positions of comfort and comparative independence.