10 FEBRUARY 1923, Page 18

E'verything, hinges on whether or not a wage settlement can

be. reached which will place the building trade on a really satisfactory basis. At present the. men's. organization has intimated that it is willing to discuss the question of wage reduction, but. not that of the lengthening of hours. From an outside_ point of view it' seems unfortunate. that the employers' offer dealt solely with_ these two. points, neglecting, entirely the question. whether. the men. might not be willing to increase their output to- such an extent as to solve the economic difficulties,. in. return for a really firm: offer of " payment by results " with a. guarantee that the scale-of pay should not-be reduced, hcxwevermuchoutput might be increased._