460 TRANSACTIONS OP SECTION P. 



10 quarters at 

 30s. each 



A B A B 



fCost . . . 55 + 20= 75 35+35= 70 



Rent . . . 65+20= 85 40+40= 80 



Wages: 10 men . 60+80=140 75+75=150 



300 300 



Average wage . . 14s. Average wage . 15s. 



Here wage3 rise in A from 10s. to 15s., and fall in B from 20s. to 15s. The 

 average in A and B together rises Is. Rent falls in A and rises in B, and the 

 total falls. The cost of production, other than wages, falls. 



More general circumstances were then considered, where specialised labour or 

 unemployed labour exists, where labour has a monopoly wage, and where there 

 are many industries, some of increasing return. It was shown that there are 

 some cases in which the wages of all concerned rise, some where they fall tem- 

 porarily, and some where they fall permanently in one district. 



Finally the action of labour exchanges and their relation to standard wages 

 were discussed. 



2. The National Labour Exchanges. By Robert a-Ababrelton, F.R.G.S. 



These exchanges, controlled by the Board of Trade, were authorised by the 

 ' Labour Exchanges Act, 1909/ and started on February 1, 1910. There are 

 now 200 exchanges in Britain, and it is officially stated that there will probably 

 be 300 by the end of 1911. 



At first they were viewed with suspicion by employers and by skilled work- 

 men. These difficulties are being overcome, and skilled men make use of the ex- 

 changes in largely increasing numbers. Advisory trade committees are set up, 

 employers and workmen being equally represented thereon. Trade-union branches 

 are making use of the exchange rooms for meetings. The exchanges are impartial 

 to masters and men. No fees are chargeable. Separate departments, with 

 separate staffs of women, are being provided for women and juveniles. Card- 

 index system is used throughout, with an elaborate subdivision of industries for 

 rapid reference. ' Registration ' lasts a week, but applicants can' ' register ' 

 afterwards. Travelling expenses may be advanced. Skilled and unskilled 

 labour are now being separated. In the juvenile department special advisory 

 committees are formed to give information and advice to the young people and 

 to their parents. 



The labour exchanges are divided into territorial divisions, each with its 

 central office, which is in constant communication with, and controlled by, the 

 Central Office in London. They are now filling over 10,000 vacancies per week, 

 mostly for skilled labour. 



The great adaptability of the system referred to, and suggestion made that 

 it should be extended to our oversea Dominions when suitable opportunity offers. 



Indoor domestic servants are precluded from the beneficent work of the 

 labour exchanges. 



3. India with respect to the World's Cotton Supply. 

 By J. Howard Reed, F.R.G.S. 



Shortage of raw cotton has become an almost chronic condition with which 

 the cotton manufacturer has to contend. It has produced abnormally inflated 

 prices, given an opportunity to cotton gamblers, caused loss and embarrass- 

 ment to manufacturers, and produced distress among cotton operatives. ' Short- 

 age' has not been produced by a falling off of the world's output of raw fibre, 

 nor by an increased demand by Lancashire for cotton, but by an enormous 

 growth in the manufacture of cotton goods on the Continent of Europe and in 

 the United States of America. In eighteen years prior to 1910 Britain's de- 

 mand for raw cotton has fallen 4 per cent., while during the same period 

 Europe's requirements have increased 70 per cent., and this on a figure much 

 larger than ours. America, during the same time, has increased her demand 



