The chief practical work of the Congress, if practical it
can be called, consisted in discussing the Eight-Hours question. On. Tuesday, a resolution was carried in favour of an international eight-hours day by 302 to 136, but not without a vigorous and able.protest from Mr. Knight, of the Newcastle Boilermakers. Mr. Keir Hardie, however, at once carried a• new resolu- tion prefacing the first, with words intended to make it clear that the United Kingdom would not be content to wait till the " autocratic Powers of the Continent " had granted their workmen a legal eight-hours day. On Wednesday, an amend- ment striking oat " eight " and leaving the number of hours in the proposed universal labour-day undecided, was negatived by 323 to 129. Mr. Hall, of Hull, after this moved another amendment, declaring that any legislation adopted should be of a permissive character, which was carried by 242 against 156. This reaction was, however, itself subject to reaction, and ultimately Mr. Keir Hardie carried by 341 to 73 a final resolution which declared "that legislation regulating hours of labour to eight per day shall be in force in all trades and occupations, save where a majority of the organised members of any trade or occupation protest by a ballot voting against the same." We-wish the delegates had gone on to tell us how they intend to enforce their eight-hours day. As the inhabi- tants of Spunky Point found, you may " resolute till the cows -come home," and yet get very little " foradder " if you are running contrary to human nature.
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