Ixxxll PROCEEDINGS. 
Wherever communities are engaged in a particular occupation, a 
certain average level of intelligence prevails. This standard never sinks 
below that essential to the earning of the wage paid, but it is with 
difficulty raised. The prominence of individuals due to their greater 
physical strength, or to the more practical application of their mental 
power to the subject of their work, excites envy rather than emulation. 
In such communities the first step upward is resistance against encroach- 
ments by the employer. Unions follow. In many cases this coalition 
of labor has no aims beyond the preservation of wages against reduction, 
and their increase at every opportunity. In some instances attempts 
have been made at boards of conciliation and arbitration, and sliding 
scales. These aspirations, however, are but the outcome of that experi- 
ence of unionism which has shown that facts and natural laws must be 
considered, and may be called a selfish extension of the original scheme. 
In Nova Scotia, the most powerful labor union is perhaps that of the 
coal miners. Its organization has given occasion for a conciliation and 
arbitration act, which promises well, altho’ it has not yet undergone the 
ordeal of practical application. The outcome, however. of this organi- 
zation, more interesting aud ultimately useful, is that relating to 
education. 
It was recognized by those who were mainly interested in the 
objects of the Provincial Workman’s Association, and especially by the 
Hon. R. Drummond, the Grand Secretary, that the proper conduct of 
the business of the various lodges, the proper estimation of the social 
problems of politics, supply and demand, etce., thus suddenly presented, 
and the intelligent discussion of the labor and mining problems most 
directly affecting them, required that the intelligence and education of 
the members should be materially assisted. It soon became apparent 
that the better the members understood the problems of the miners’ 
occupation the less liable were the different unions to be hurried passion- 
ately into illadvised and half-considered conflicts with capital. It was 
also evident that the better the status of the subordinate officials about 
the mines the more the safety of the miners was secured. After some 
discussion it was agreed that the experiment should be tried of fixing a 
standard for underground managers and overmen. The necessary 
statutory power having been granted by the government, an order-in- 
council appointed a Board of Examiners tentatively. As experience was 
gained, changes were made until the present system, which has worked 
satisfactorily for some time, was established. 
