The British Labour Members of Parliament who have made a
short visit to Germany left Berlin on Tuesday. They inspected the Labour Exchange, and compared its arrange- ments with those proposed in Mr. dhurchill's Bill. They were impressed by the devices and appliances for improving the condition of workmen both at the factories and in their homes. But, according to the Berlin correspondent of the Daily Chroniete, they found the model dwellings inferior to those in England. We can well believe this. German buildings have imposing façades, and may convey to casual observers an appearance of solidity and comfort. But the condition of the families within, after all, depends upon the amount of cubic space at their disposal, which is another way of saying upon the rent, and in this respect the British working man is much better off. Herr Dernburg, the Colonial Secretary, in a farewell speech spoke of British and German co-operation in the African Colonies, and declared that German statesmen would do all in their power to further such common activity in Europe. The Chief Burgomaster, Dr. Kirschner, who was in London recently with his colleagues, asserted that there was not an intelligent man in Germany who believed that the close relations between Germany and Britain could ever be dis- turbed. We are convinced that there is no illwill whatever between the German and British peoples, and such visits as that of the Labour M.P.'e prove it. But the German people unfortunately have little control over the courses of their statesmen, which are often dangerous and unexpected.
Previous page
