The firm, no doubt having that scrupulous regard for form
which is characteristic of the Japanese, refused to reduce the wages below .what they thought was a conventionally proper standard. The employees Might, of course, have struck against too high wages, but they decided to save their source of livelihood by working longer hours—of which the employers also disapproved. This they have been doing, and the employers, feeling that they have lost the battle, have at length given way and are letting the employees do as they please. It is gratifying to be able to record that the firm is making up lost ground. After all, it is only the almost complete absence of reason in our own industrial relations that makes one look upon this Japanese incident as an astonishing par:-ox. The Japanese workers have acted with nothing but ordinary prudence. *1. •
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