[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] have read with considerable
interest the article by your working-man contributor, dealing with our industrial conditions as we find them prevailing to-day. As a reader of your paper for many years past, I have seen nothing more calculated to create a better understanding on the subject in the future. Moving about as I do amongst Labour men and Labour leaders in the North country, many of whom have read the article, I find that they concur in my opinion and the views expressed by the writer of the article, and they have, no. hesitation whatever in saying that what he has so
ably described is absolutely true. It is to me surprising that the employers have been so indifferent in the past to the phases of the subject with which your correspondent deals as to have allowed things to drift, and to create the present painful and deplorable situation. This indifference of the employers towards the working men and their most cherished interests in the past—unfortunately existing to a great extent at the present time—is, in the opinion of many of the aforesaid leaders of the workers, the root cause of much of the Socialism we find prevailing to-day.
Working men, as a rule, are equally inspired by ambitious feelings, and are anxious to rise in their respective spheres, and when their chances of preferment are poor, it inevitably follows that their energies become applied to other and more dangerous and mischievous forces. We in the North have been seriously affected in this way. How often have employers been admonished to pay a little more attention to this phase of workshop conditions, yet up to the present they have failed to observe that solicitude for working-class aspirations to which this class are equally entitled with themselves.
As one who has long taken an interest in the working-class conditions which prevail in the industries carried on in the North, I welcome, Sir, the contribution of your correspondent (especially his remarks and suggestions anent the practice of discharging and sending adrift young journeymen apprentices in the engineering trades on completion of their indentur?s, and other points he raises which are intimately associated with workshop conditions) as showing a solution which if the employers would only adopt it, would very largely dissipate or eradicate the present discontent, and restore more amicable relations between employers and workmen.—I am, Sir, &c., A. A. laavEir,
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