552 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION Gl. 



I might mention parenthetically that it is curious to obsei-ve 

 amidst the long series of legislative endeavours to lighten the load of 

 life, there are tAvo striking gaps in the list. I allude to the absence 

 01 a measure legalising eight hours as the extent of a day's work, 

 and of an Act on modern lines dealing with the formation and regula- 

 tion of trade unions. 



As to the former, 1 would remark that on all occasions when 

 attempts have been made to secure formal enactments on the subject, 

 serious difficulties have presented themselves ; but in striking contrast 

 to this want of success, we find in certain directions that forty-four 

 hours constitute a week's work, thus giving even leiss than eight hours 

 per day for a six-day week. Moreover, the question is being seriously 

 discussed in recent years whether the working day should not be 

 measured by a still smaller number of hours. 



As to the new Trade Union Act, which seems to be desirable, it 

 is instructive to note that the present law is remarkable mainly for its 

 negative nature, and is noteworthy more for what it withholds than 

 for any boon Avhich it confers. 



In conclusion, it may safely be stated as a result of our 

 introspection that the protection of the industrial interests, and the 

 attainment of salutary conditions throughout life have been secui-ed to 

 the working man. The standard of living has been perceptibly raised, 

 means have been tried to settle disputes, to prevent the distraction 

 of the economic relations of the great bulk of the population, and a 

 large advance has been made toward the solution of the problem of 

 work and wages. 



Unionism on sound, national lines will prove the salvation of the 

 working man, and the best means of raising him to higher ideals. But 

 unionism on an unsound basis, whexe selfishness and disregard of 

 responsibility and of the rights of his fellows are allowed to prevail, 

 will reap an inevitable harvest of sorrow and disaster. 



The outlook is bright, and auspicious of the peaceful detennina- 

 tion of the difiiculties to be found in our industrial life. The spirit 

 of independence and fair play of our race will in due course enable 

 us to reach the ultimate Utopia of peace and contentment. 



3.— STATISTICAL IXQUIEY INTO PULMOXARY TUBERCULOSIS IN 



AUSTRALIA. 



By J. L. CU2IPST0N, Medical Officer for Schools, W.A. 



Reference to Table I. will reveal a steady inea-ease in the actual 

 number of deaths from phthisis in West Australia. The fact, 

 brought into prominence by the discovery of tuberculosis amongst 

 dairy cows, has lead to considerable feeling of alarm amongst the 

 people in this State. This superficial view of the subject, however, 

 takes no account of the very rapid increase in the total popidation of 

 the State within recent years. In order that a correct estimate of the 

 position should be obtained, the death-rates per 1,000 of the popula- 

 tion must be taken into consideration. This is done in Table II., 

 where the death-rate per 1,000 of the mean population in each year 

 for a number of years is set out for each State in Australia, and, 



