Now that the coal strike is practically at an end, at least in parts, the hope is general that we are appreciably nearer to a period of peace so far as Labour is concerned. Considering the number of dispuics we have had this year it may seem undue optimism to conclude so, but statistics support the view that an improvement is actually taking place. Thus from January to June, 1919, we lost in trade disputes no fewer than 11,677,000 working days, while during the same period of this year the total was only 6,418,000. That, of course, is still 'a stupendous figure, meaning an enormous loss of wealth to the nation and individual, but the decrease is certainly consoling and holds out the hope that we are on the way to peace. As a result of the demands of Labour during the first half of this year the average weekly wages bill of the nation increased by slightly over £3,000,000. This increase was spread over six and a half million people, and it is without question a substantial addition to the weekly income. It has to be remembered that these increases took place at a time when the cost of living was steadily rising, and now when we are seeing a general drop, small although it be in the United Kingdom, there is further hope for more settled conditions, one very powerful lever for higher wages being less available.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.