The Theory and Policy of Labour Protection. By Dr. A.
Schliffie. —No writer of the day seems to have a stronger grasp of the principles of Socialism, or to be more able to give a lucid sum- mary of them, than Dr. Schaffie. His "Quintessence of Socialism" was an admirable exposition of the views of the Continental Socialists, and in this volume of "The Social Science Series" he discusses with his customary practical acumen the working of the present-day labour measures, and the probable result of the modi- fications for the protection of labour, put forward by the Social Democrats in the German Reichstag and embodied in the Auer Motion. Dr. Sehaffle looks forward hopefully to the "Imperial Labour Board," but he warns his readers that the local labour boards could easily seize power, turn out the capitalist element, and then become boards for the Control of production. It is the pet idea of the labourer that by restricting the output he raises prices and consequently wages, though even theoretically this is not sound reasoning. The question of the "working day" is of great interest, but a very difficult one. Dr. Schaftle would have a legal day of ten hours, and scouts the idea of an eight-hours day. As to the employment of women in factories, and the important points in such employment bearing on family life, Dr. Schaffie throws out hints, but does not emphatically state his views. "It is probably best," says he, "that the prohibition of employment of women and children underground should be legally formulated." But indeed the commoti-sense of mankind should settle the question. No two people may be able to agree as to what a man can stand, but there ought not to be much doubt about the weaker part of the race.
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