Peking's trade union movement is growing lustily, and has already given rise to an epidemic of dissensions in the labour world. In the old days the relationship between employer and employee was on the whole very harmonic ous. "Both were-wedded to the craft they worked at, and thought: mainly of its interests. There were few disputes. Wages were usually adjusted by the employer without any special demands from the employees, as the intimacy existing bets them in the workshop did not alow of any dispute on account of conditions and payment of labour. A regular standard of living was maintain-both parties, and any outside influence that tended to depreciate that standard was quickly realized and adjusted by the masters, When, however, a recalcitrant employer did not perceive the need for an increase of wages, the men jointly presented a demand, and when the point was conceded, the organization broke up and employer and employee resumed their amicable relations in the guild.
Just as most of the employers appreciated the economic position of the men in the establishment, so the workers realized the economic position of the firm by which they were engaged. But, nowadays, the spirit of unrest has encroached upon that spirit of mutual understanding, Discontent has been augmented by a considerable advance in the cost of living, the upward trond of which has not been attended by concurrent advances in wages. Many unions have been organized in this period, not merely for the purpose of demanding wage increases, but to band together the workers in a particular trade for mutual benefits, irrespective of employers or craft. Even the ricsha men are now trying to promote a trade union on modern lines, With the evolution of some of the crafts into larger understandings, the modernization of commercial life, and the establishment of a modern banking system, a chamber of commerce was started in Peking before the Republic along lines similar to those operating the West. Until, the 20th century the guild had been the medium of merchant opinion, but it was superseded when masters and men began to drift away from each other. The too, formed themselves tion, in 1917, and this so rapidly that it has now become to all intents and appearances the fiduciary adviser of the Government, Robbed of its tribute from the provinces, the Government has learned more and more on both the old fashioned and new-style banks, contracting short time loans from time to time in order to keep its head above, the water. In addition to. political loaits,-the Peking bankers have taken quite an important part in the promotion of industrial enterprises and other constructive projects.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.