TARIFFS AND THE PRICE OF BREAD gi 



seriously affecting aU classes in the German Fatherland, 

 and consequently all those whose incomes are limited, 

 including the incomes of the working people, whose 

 budget for household expenses is necessarily quite 

 specially affected at this time of year, nothing indica- 

 tive in the remotest degree of widespread distress has 

 come within the limit of our vision; on the contrary, 

 there is every sign of increasing prosperity. Occupation 

 is to be had everywhere for the asking of it, in all fac- 

 tories and at all works in the towns we have passed 

 through ; the building trade is everywhere in a fair condi- 

 tion, and even in the ranks of the unskilled, who must 

 always be subject to fluctuations as regards employ- 

 ment, there is no general cause for complaint. Instead 

 of there being a superabundance of workers and conse- 

 quently a crowd of ' unemployed,' employers are 

 clamouring on all sides for skilled labour." 



Let us pause here so that we may firmly establish in 

 our minds the exact meaning of these passages, and 

 carefully estimate their value to us as a people. Do not 

 let us make the fatal mistake of putting this message 

 aside as of no moment, because it is fraught with either 

 weal or woe, just as we regard it. Ignore it, and the 

 present deplorable conditions which environ the whole 

 question of labour must become worse. Accept it, and 

 general conditions will improve, a better standard of 

 comfort will soon be set up, and lasting prosperity will 

 surely result. 



Here we have a pregnant message from our own 

 workers, a message full of serious import and deep 



