302 [November, 1902.] 
IMPERIAL INSTITUTE JOURNAL. 
Vol. VIII. No. 95. 
LABOUR MARKET. 
UNITED KINGDOM. 
Hours of Labour of Railway Servants. — In the report 
recently issued by the Board of Trade the complaints made 
against various companies are set out, together with the action 
taken by the Board. In all the cases the complaint is of long 
hours put in by guards, engine-drivers, signalmen, shunters, 
and other employes of the companies ; and the report refers to 
the fact that the year under review was remarkable for the large 
number of complaints under this head. There can be no doubt, 
the report states, that in many instances long hours have been 
due to exceptional circumstances, particularly to the bad 
weather and fogs which were prevalent during last winter over 
many parts of the United Kingdom ; but, even allowing for 
such considerations, it cannot be denied that in many of the 
cases which have come to the notice of the Board of Trade the 
complaints have been well founded. The Board have continued, 
as in former years, to make careful enquiry into each represent- 
ation which has been made to them ; and their consideration of 
the cases which have been dealt with has led to the belief that, 
while there is not, as a rule, much exception to be taken to the 
booked hours of duty of railway servants, sufficient care has 
not always been taken to confine discrepancies between the 
booked hours and the hours actually worked within the 
narrowest possible limits. That this is one of the chief grounds 
for complaint may be to some extent inferred from the fact that 
96 out of the 123 cases which have arisen during the year have 
concerned trainmen, whose duty is, owing to the exigencies of 
railway working, subject to greater variation than that of 
perhaps any other class of servant. The report states that in 
accordance with the resolution of the House of Commons, the 
Board of Trade have called upon the railway companies for a 
return of the hours exceeding 12 a day, of certain classes of 
railway servants during the month of December, 1901, and of 
instances where after such a period of duty work has been 
resumed with an interval of rest of less than nine hours. The 
return will soon be ready for issue. 
File-cutting Industry. — The Home Office has issued a 
draft of regulations proposed to be made for file-cutters’ shops, 
The regulations are not, it is stated, in their final form, and they 
are subject to revision. File-cutting by hand is certified, for 
reasons given, to be a dangerous process, and it is so certified 
by the Home Secretary in pursuance of section 79 of the 
Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, The reasons for this step 
are, briefly (1) that it has been shown conclusively that file- 
cutting by hand under the circumstances which actually prevail, 
is extremely injurious to the health of the workers, and produces 
the highest mortality of all processes carried on in factories and 
workshops ; (2) that, as the result of the enquiry in 1897-98 of 
the Committee on Dangerous Trades, there was a general 
agreement in favour of regulations ; and (3) that recently the 
necessity of establishing regulations under the Act had been 
strongly urged by a deputation from the health committee of 
the Sheffield City Council. While Mr. Akers-Douglas believes 
that the regulations are likely to effect a considerable improve- 
ment in the conditions under which the industry is carried on, 
and to be effective in preserving the lives and health of the 
workpeople, they will not, he thinks, impose any heavy burden 
on the owners of the file-cutting shops, nor require of the work- 
people anything more than they can carry out without interfering 
with their work, 
COLONIES. 
The monthly report, compiled by the Emigrants’ Infor- 
mation Office, states as follows :■ — Canada. — The last monthly 
report of the Canadian Department of Labour shows that skilled 
mechanics had been very busily employed in the building and 
other trades, that lumbermen had been very busy, and good 
hands were scarce, and that, owing to the good harvests, both 
in the east and the north-west, farm labourers and harvesters 
had been in great demand. It is too late in the season, how- 
ever, for anyone other than female servants to emigrate this 
year to Canada, unless he goes to friends, or has enough means 
of his own to keep him while work is slack in winter. A good 
many coal-miners in British Columbia are out of work, but in 
Nova Scotia there is a demand for skilled men. 
Australia (New South Wales).— No one is recom- 
mended to emigrate to New South Wales at the present time, 
unless he is a skilled plumber, or has means of his own, or has 
secured employment. Large numbers of miners (except coal- 
miners), pastoralists, and others are out of work, owing to the 
severity of the drought, which has now lasted over six years, and 
it will be scarcely possible to provide work for all these on either 
the reproductive or relief works initiated by the Government. 
The only opening at the present time is for female labour, either 
in domestic service, or in boot and shoe and clothing factories. 
The annual report on the Metropolitan and Newcastle factories 
for 1901 shows that the number of registered factories increased 
from 2,047 in 1900, to 2,195 i n 1901, and the number of 
employees from 39,104 to 42,273. The principal increases 
were in the meat-preserving, jam and fruit canning, bacon- 
curing, shirt-making and glass bottle-making factories. The 
building trades and engineering shops were well employed 
during the year ; more than half the furniture makers were 
Chinese; the wages of tailoresses improved. A dispute has 
arisen between the shipwrights and joiners in the ship-building 
trade, which may lead to trouble. The shearers have abated 
their demand, and now claim that their wages should be 
ncreased from 20s. per 100 to 22s. 6d., instead of to 25s,, as 
previously asked ; the dispute is still unsettled. (Victoria.) — 
With the exception of Gippsland and the West, which are a 
little better off, the State is suffering severely from the drought, 
and emigrants without means are advised not to go there at 
present. The payment of railway employees, receiving ,£150 a 
year and over, has been reduced. Special Boards, appointed 
under the Factories Acts, have fixed the lowest wages payable 
to persons manufacturing wicker goods at is. an hour ; to 
compositors and stereotypers, at is, o^d. to is. id. an hour ; to 
persons engaged on linotype or monoline work, at is. 6d, to 
is. 8d. an hour ; and to lithographers and bookbinders, at 
is. id. an hour ; to males above 16 years old making boots 
and shoes at 6s. 8d. to 7s. 6d. per day of 8 hours, and to 
females with four years' experience at 20s. per week of 48 hours ; 
to male blacksmiths in the bedstead trade, at 42s. per week of 
48 hours, and to female polishers of japanned work, at 22s. 6d. 
per week of 45 hours ; to wool scourers in the woollen trade, at 
30s. a week ; and to female warpers (first year), 15s. a week ; 
and to persons making bottle or flue brushes, at 48s. a week. 
(South Australia.) — The drought has been severe, and there is 
no demand whatever for more labour ; but good rains have just 
fallen in the agricultural districts, which should improve matters. 
(Queensland). — The long drought is causing great losses in 
Queensland, and there is no demand for more labour, except 
for a few farm labourers in the south, and for female servants in 
most parts. (Western Australia. )— There is a good demand 
for farm labourers and female servants, but the supply of 
mechanics and miners is sufficient. The dispute between the 
miners and mine-owners at Kalgooriie has been settled by the 
Arbitration Court — rock drill-men are to receive 13s. 4d. to 
14s. 4d. per shift (8 hours), and miners ns. 8d. (New 
Zealand.) — During the last few weeks work has been rather 
slack, as is usual during the winter season. For those emi- 
grating now the prospects are good. In Taranaki the dairying 
industry is very prosperous, and dairy factories are increasing. 
Competent men have no difficulty in getting work on the land ; 
the building and other trades have also been doing well, and 
building plots are sought for, and sell at advanced prices. 
South. Africa. — Permits to land are not now required in 
Cape Colony or Natal, but are still required by those proceeding 
to the Transvaal and Orange River Colony. There is no 
demand whatever anywhere for general labourers. Owing to 
the large numbers who have recently arrived, there is no special 
demand for mechanics anywhere ; but really skilled mechanics 
— especially those in the building trades — have a very fair 
chance of work, if they can afford to keep themselves some 
little time while searching for it. They must remember that 
the cost of living is high in all parts, and in the Transvaal from 
two to three times as high as it is in England. A few experienced 
platelayers and carriage and wagon examiners are wanted for 
the Natal Railways ; application should be made to the Agent- 
General for Natal, 26, Victoria-street, London, S.W. 
There is a good demand for female domestic servants, but 
they should not go alone, unless they go to friends, as they will 
find suitable lodgings very expensive and difficult to obtain, 
and will incur other risks. Advanced passages to the Trans- 
vaal may be obtained by female servants in special cases on 
application to the South African Expansion Committee, Imperial 
Institute, London, S.W. Single men who can ride are wanted 
for the South African Constabulary. They should apply at the 
Recruiting Office in King’s-eourt, Broadway, Westminster, 
S.W. 
EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION. 
*#* The Imperial Institute acts in concert with the Emigrants' 
Information Office ( which is under the direction of the 
Colonial Office ) , of jr, Broadway , Westminster, S.W.; 
and also with the British Women's Emigration Asso- 
ciation , now temporarily carrying on its work in 
rooms at the Institute. The Handbooks and Quarterly 
Circulars issued by the Emigrants' Information Office 
may be obtained at the Commercial Intelligence Office. 
Special information and practical advice respecting 
Canada and Cape Colony will also be furnished by the 
Curators of these Sections, 
UNITED KINGDOM. 
The British ‘Women’s Emigration Association. — The 
hon. secretary reports 553 applications relating to emigration to 
South Africa, and 157 to other colonies, received in one month 
ended October 21. 
During the same four weeks 53 persons have sailed through 
this Association — 14 to South Africa, 38 to Canada, and 1 to 
Australia. The last party of the season to Canada on 
October 30 numbered 31 — a considerable number — making a 
total of 227 to Canada since March ; most of these travellers 
have been glad to avail themselves of the accommodation at 
the Wortley Plostel, 22, Upper Westbourne-terrace, for a 
night or two before sailing. When furnished completely the 
house will contain about 36 beds. A very handsome contribu- 
tion of over ;£i8o has been received for the benefit of the 
Hostel, as the result of a drawing-room meeting, arranged by 
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Boulter, at which Lady Brassey kindly 
presided, on October 7, at Garston Park, Godstone. 
A formal opening of the Hostel will lake place early in 
December. 
The South African Expansion Committee has taken an 
office at 47, Victoria-street, Westminster, to provide the larger 
accommodation required for the increase of its Secretarial Staff. 
All enquiries about emigration to South Africa should in future 
be addressed there. 
Indulgence passages are no longer to be had, but the 
Women’s Immigration Department of the Transvaal adminis- 
tration has made special arrangements for the assistance of the 
domestic servants applied for from that colony, and the selection 
of the women is placed in the hands of the South African 
Expansion Committee of the British Women's Emigration 
Association ; only the classes of persons for whom a requisition 
is sent can be allowed the advantages offered. These are 
principally that the whole cost of the journey is advanced, which 
fi2 is to be repaid in our colony to the Transvaal Committee. 
Each person must sign an agreement undertaking to refund this 
sum in monthly instalments. 
The first party going out on these terms is by s.s. Harlech 
Castle on October 23. Their reception at Cape Town and 
inland journey will be arranged by the Agent of the Women's 
Immigration Department in the Transvaal. A Matron will be 
placed in authority over them from London to Johannesburg, 
and free accommodation will be provided on arrival, where the 
women can stay until suitable situations are found for them. 
A party for Australia will be made up to travel in the deck 
cabin of s.s. Austral sailing November 21. Early application 
should be made for berths in this ship. All information and 
estimates can be supplied by the hon. secretary, British 
Women’s Emigration Association, the Imperial Institute, 
London, S.W. 
COLONIES. 
Canada. — Immigration from the United States. — 
According to a Winnipeg special to the Evening Post, the 
extent of the immigration into Manitoba and the North-West 
Territories, from the United States, is little understood in the 
east. Sir Charles Dilke’s prophecy of twelve years ago that these 
fertile lands would become the wealth centre of the Dominion is 
already being fulfilled. For the year ending June 30, 1902, 
19,570 persons from the United States took up homesteads in 
Manitoba and the North-West Territories, against 5,197 in the 
preceding year. Actual settlers number five times as many, as 
only heads of families can take up homesteads. In 1900, land 
along the C. P. R. was worth $3 an acre; now there are few 
obtainable lots close to the lines, while the price of the nearest is 
$7 to $8 an acre. An examination of Winnipeg hotel registers 
shows that 40 per cent, of the visitors are from the United 
States. It is said that the cheapness of land makes it possible 
to produce wheat and flour at less cost than in Minnesota or the 
Dakotas. Millers of Minneapolis and St. Paul are anxious to 
get Canadian wheat, and are advocating reciprocity with 
Canada with the idea of having the grain duty removed. This 
influx of Americans is proving a great benefit to C. nadian 
development, especially in the line of capital, as the American 
settlers are bringing millions with them into the country. 

Suez Canal. — The Norddeutscher Lloyd steamer Grosser 
Kurfurst, 13,180 tons, sailing from Southampton on November 
10, will be the largest mercantile steamer passing through the 
Suez Canal, and that a steamer of this tonnage can make the 
passage without difficulty, is proof of the improvements which 
have of late been made in the canal both by dredging and 
widening. The biggest warships to pass through the canal 
were the great Japanese battleships Asama, Shikasima, and 
Nikasa, built in this country by Armstrong, Whitworth and 
Company and the Thames Ironworks. 
CUSTOMS TARIFFS. 
UNITED KINGDOM. 
Certain Fuses may be Imported without Licence.— A 
recent General Order of the Commissioners of H.M. Customs 
(No. 61 of 1902) states that Vulcan patent electric delay action 
fuses may be imported without licence. 
Drawback on Exports of Maize Starch of British 
Manufacture. — The following is the text ot a General Order 
(No. 76 of 1902), recently issued by the Commissioners of 
Il.M. Customs for the guidance of Customs officers, respecting 
the drawback to be allowed on exports of maize starch of British 
manufacture : — 
“Collectors and other officers concerned are informed for 
guidance that the Board have direcied that drawback be 
allowed on exported maize starch of British manufacture at the 
rate of 2^d. per cwt. 
“ All duly substantiated claims in respect of British-manu- 
factured maize starch exported since the 7th May last inclusive 
will be settled in the usual manner by the Collector, London, at 
that rate accordingly.” 
COLONIES. 
Australia.— Duties on Goons Imported into West- 
ern Australia from Australian States. — An Act (No. 3 
of 1901) which was assented to on 9th October, 1901, imposes 
certain Customs duties in accordance with the provisions of the 
Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act (cap. 12 of 1000, 
Imperial Statutes). 
The Act mentioned re-imposes the duties of Customs in 
force in Western Australia at the date immediately preceding 
the imposition of uniform duties of Customs under the 
Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act, so far as they 
relate to goods passing into Western Australia, and not 
originally imported from beyond the limits of the Commonwealth , 
and it is provided that the duties shall continue in force subject 
to the provisions of section 95 of the said Act. 
Section 95 of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution 
Act provides that : 
“Any duty imposed on any goods shall not exceed during 
the first year the duty chargeable on the goods under the law 
of Western Australia in force at the imposition of uniform 
duties, and shall not exceed during the second, third, fourth, 
and fifth of such years respectively four-fifths, three-fifths, 
two-fifths, and one-fifth of such latter duty, and all duties 
imposed under this section shall cease at the expiration of the 
fifth year after the imposition of uniform duties." 
“If at any time during the five years the duty on any 
goods under this section is higher than the duty imposed by 
the Commonwealth on the importation of the like goods, then 
such higher duty shall be collected on the goods when im- 
ported into Western Australia from beyond the limits of the 
Commonwealth, ” 
It may be added that uniform Customs duties were imposed 
in the Commonwealth of Australia on 8th October, 1901. 
Newfoundland — Customs Amendment.— The Board of 
Trade have received, through the Colonial Office, a copy of an 
Act (No. 27 of 1902) to provide for the reduction of duties on 
certain Portuguese products. 
The above Act was passed on 22nd April, 1902, and 
provides that : — 
“ When and as soon as such changes have been made in 
the Tariff of the Kingdom of Portugal as will admit into that 
country fish, the product of Newfoundland, at the same rate of 
duty as fish, the product of the Kingdom of Norway, is 
admitted therein, the Governor shall, by Proclamation published 
in the Royal Gazette , reduce the duty on port wine, the product 
of Portugal, from 1 dol. 80 cents to 90 cents per gallon ; and 
upon the issue of the said Proclamation, the duty upon port 
wine, the product of Portugal, imported into this colony, shall 
be 90 cents per gallon.” 
Transvaal. — Permits for the Importation of 
Goods : Revised Regulations.— The Government Gazette 
for the 12th of September last contains revised Regulations 
issued by the Director of Supplies, Johannesburg, in regard to 
permits for the importation of goods. 
On the 1st September last, the following system for the 
presentation of indents came into force. 
Goods may, in future, be classified under the following 
headings : — 
Foodstuffs (including fresh vegetables and fruit, flour, mealies, 
mealie meal, mineral waters, and all articles for household 
consumption). 
Produce (including forage, grain, and all foods for animals). 
Soft gooas (including boots and shoes). 
Mining requisites and machinery (including vehicles for 
mining purposes only, and excluding timber). 
Building materials (including bricks, cement, iron (manu- 
factured) for building purposes, and all analogous bulky 
material for construction. Deals and logs are excluded). 
Timber. — Logs, deals and poles. 
Iron and Steel unmanufactured. 
Hardware (including machinery (not for mining purposes), 
agricultural implements, ironmongery, paints, glass, 
china, and articles known commercially by the term 
“ hardware” and not otherwise specified). 
Furniture (including pianos and organs). 
Sundries. — Including drugs, fancy and sporting goods (except 
arms and ammunition), bicycles, stationery, jewellery, 
tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, and ail other articles not 
otherwise specified. 
Oils and lubricants . — Including oils (illuminating and 
lubricating), grease, etc. 
Exceptions. — The exceptions to the above are: — 
Wines, spirits , beer, and all intoxicating liquors, live-stock, 
vehicles, arms and ammunition. 
All of these will be dealt with specially. No application for 
the importation of arms and ammunition which have not com- 
plied with Government Ordinance will be considered. 
Presentation of indents. 
Indents may accordingly be presented showing no other 
detail than simply the weight desired to be imported, under one 
or other of the above headings. Although applicants may wish 
to import under more than one heading, all may appear on the 
one indent (made as usual in duplicate). 
Indents for importations which come under the heading of 
“Exceptions” must be shown separately, each being provided 
for by a distinctive indent. 
Copies of Customs Declarations. 
Copies of Customs declarations and invoices need no longer 
be furnished to any Civil Supply Permit Office. 
Consignments by Passenger Train, Etc. : Revised 
REGULATIONS. — Revised regulations, issued by the Director of 
Civil Supplies, Johannesburg, have also been received in regard 
to consignments by passenger train and conveyance of small 
parcels, perishable articles, and travellers’ samples, etc. 
On and after 15th September, 1902, the following regulations 
obtain : — 
1. Consignments and effects by passenger train. — No permits 
from this department will be" required for consign- 
