31 MARCH 1866, Page 3

Mr. Poole, by his own consent and the dandies, Prince

of tailors, is involved in a quarrel with his workmen. The point in dispute is Mr. Poole, by his own consent and the dandies, Prince of tailors, is involved in a quarrel with his workmen. The point in dispute is

" log," or average of prices, towhich he and a committee of masters require all journeymen tailors to submit. He says the " log " is a fair one, as it is 9 per cent. beyond the average prices, and a man in his establishment can earn. from V. to 31. a week. The men, quite admitting that Mr. Poole is a good paymaster, say he works his men too hard for the average rate, keeping them in the busy season from 5.30 a.m. to 8.0 p.m.—fourteen and a half hours. Mr. Poole threatens to import foreigners, and the Tailors' Associa- tion say their agents have provided against that. Mr.. Poole does net appear much in the wrong, but surely if the masters insist on an average rate of pay, while the character of work differs in every shop,• the men may insist on an average. duration of labour. We believe this question of hours is becoming of. very- serious im- portance. Both here- and in, America the cry of the workmen is for a little more leisure, and we- are not stun the demand is- unfair.. Nobody can have twelve hours' pay for ten hours' work,. but it is not clear that a man cannot do more in ten. home-than in. twelve. In- mental work, or work requiring any use of the brains,, that is a certainty-.