3 APRIL 1926, Page 2

Unfortunately the figures of Poor Law relief and the effect

of the coal subsidy must not be forgotten ; both of them are strictly relevant to the problem. We do not know exactly what the effect of the subsidy has been on unemployment in the mines, but it must have been appreciable. As for Poor Law Relief, the figures have been steadily rising while the unemployment figures of the Labour Exchanges have been falling. We do not know precisely what the explanation is, but it has been suggested that the Guardians have become more tender- hearted as a set-off to the greater severity of those who administer the " dole."