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(a) ENGINEERING

SIR MAURICE FITZMAURICE, C.M.G., M.A.,
M.A.I., LL.D.

SIR ROBERT HADFIELD, F.R.S., D.Met., D.Sc.,
M.Inst. C.E.

(6) SHIPBUILDING

SIR BENJAMIN BROWNE, D.L., D.C.L., J.P.,
M.I.C.E.

SIR ARCHIBALD Denny, Bart., J.P., LL.D.
W. L. HICHENS

H. B. ROWELL

(c) MINING

SIR HUGH BELL, BART., D.L., D.C.L., LL.D.

(d) MANUFACTURE

EDWARD CADBURY

(e) TRADE

ERNEST J. P. BENN

WALTER HAZELL

(TRANSPORT

F. DUDLEY DOCKER, C.B.

(8) FEDERATION

R. T. NUGENT

(h) RESEARCH

JOHN HILTON

(a) ENGINEERING

SIR MAURICE FITZMAURICE, C.M.G., M.A., M.A.I., LL.D. (President of the Institution of Civil Engineers)

The following is taken from the recent Presidential Address, which was courteously sent by Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice for the purpose:

I had for many years the direct control of a large ́body of working men, and have had opportunities of inside knowledge with reference to many labour disputes with which I had no direct connection. The two points which struck me as fundamental in nearly every case were that the employer should pay a good living wage, and that the employed should do a good honest day's work, or perhaps I should say in some cases an honest week's work. The so-called “restriction of output" policy, which some trades indulge in, seems to be the first step in a most vicious circle. It certainly does not lead the employer to look favourably on proposals for increase of wages. It must be extremely irritating for him to know that the output per man could be easily increased in some cases, without undue exertion, and that under such conditions he could cheerfully concede an increase in wages. policy is not confined to our own islands only.

This

We all wish to see Labour contented. In Burke's

speech in 1775 on conciliation with America, he said, "The question with me is not whether you have a right to render your people miserable, but whether it is not your interest to make them happy." I think that expresses our view with regard to Labour to-day.

It is impossible to expect a high standard of duty to exist at all times among workmen unless they can live under such conditions as will allow them a chance of bringing up their families decently and making some adequate provision for old age. I am quite aware of the advantages as regards free education, medical attendance, out-of-work benefits, old-age pensions, and sometimes free meals for children, which exist; but better wages than those existing before the war, with a greater feeling of responsibility by the individual would, in my opinion, be much better than all these free advantages, with the exception of that of education. Organised Labour has great powers and correspondingly great obligations, and it ought to be in a position to begin these obligations at home.

It is often difficult for the mass of Labour to understand the cost of finding large sums of money to finance great industries, and that such money has to be paid for out of profits. It is difficult for Labour to realise the risks which capitalists have to take, and the fact that in many works large sums are spent on research work which may only give a return after a long period, or may in many cases appear to give no return, if it be considered that negative results have no value, which is far from being the case. It is also sometimes difficult for Labour to understand that the work and organisation of one man may in some undertakings mean a difference in profits of hundreds of thousands

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