Ixxxii 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, lut 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 and 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. K. 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, etc., 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 ill-advised 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. 



