The Berlin Labour Conference has concluded its task with unusual
promptitude, having sat only a fortnight. Its de- cisions were drawn up as resolutions which it was advisable for the nations represented to adopt, and are, briefly, that women of any age, and children under fourteen (or, in Southern countries, twelve), should be forbidden to work in mines ; that labour should cease on Sunday, unless the work is necessary ; that children should be debarred from work up to fourteen in the North, and up to twelve in the South, and for two years longer should not work at night ; that women should not work at night, or for more than eleven hours a day, or within one month of confinement; and, finally, that coal-mines should be scientifically protected, and all disputes in them be settled by arbitration. Each nation will carry out these resolutions as seems most advisable to itself, and the Conference will meet again hereafter to report upon what has been effected. All burning questions have been avoided, and the suggestions reduced to a practicable minimum; but if the new rules are carried out, the benefit to Continental women and children will be very great, while men will gain one day's rest in seven without loss of wages. That cannot be called a negative result, or even a poor one, for a fortnight's diplomacy ; but it will not, we fear go far towards solving the social problem. There is no direct increase of wages in it, and no idea of equality.
