They appreciated the fact, as they were careful to point
out, that the Trade Boards Act was introduced to ensure reasonable wages in sweated industries, but," they add, " we do not consider that our trade comes within that class, and we are certain that so far as the linen trade is concerned the operation of the Trade Board has defeated its own object, and that it is one of the principal causes of short time and unemployment." They then say: " Crowds of our fellow-workers are tramping the streets unemployed and getting 15s. weekly, who would gladly accept an economic wage and enable British manufac- turers to obtain business and give increasing employment." What the Ministry of Labour must be brought to understand is that all sensible and honest workers would much rather be employed continuously at a comparatively low wage than occasionally at a comparatively high wage. What is the use of being paid at the rate of £5 a week if you are asked to work for only a few hours ? It is much better to be paid at the rate of £2 or £3 a week if then you can work all the time.
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