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It only remains for XIS now to consider mom minutely
the source and nature O€ the advantages which hava been
found in practice to follow from the adoption of this prihciple;
we must b o distinguish as accurately as possible tho conditions
of its success, and the character of the trndes to
which it is most suited. The chief obstructions which will
shnd in the way of its adoption must not be unnoticed so fer
as time will allow.
It is alike the great advantage and the great difficulty of
this scheme that it requires the disclosure of the amount of
profit made by the capitalists. So long as the employer surrounds
his business with mystery, and carefally conceals the
profit he obtains, it is natural that the workman should feel
distrust, and probnbly over-estimate tho amount of the sharo
which is taken from the produce of his work. Every demand
for wages and every strike is made in the dark, and the point
to which the master carries resistance is the only real test of
the sincerity of his professions. The master says, I am
making no sufficient profits,” and the state of trade will not
allow me to advance your wages.” Tho workmen reply :‘‘ We
are not allowed to know what your profits are, but so far as
we can judge we think the state of trade would allow of an
advance ; and therefore we cannot depend upon your vague
assurances ; the only way in which we can arrive at the truth
is to try how long you will suffer your business to stand still.”
There is no doubt that this is at least a plausible argument
for combinations and strikes ; arbitration may overcome the
difficulty in some degree, because the real state of trade and
profit can be made known to a single arbitrator, or even a
limited board, more freely than to the public in general. But,
as I have said, arbitration presupposes that there is combination
and concert on both sides, and that all the trade are
willing to make the nditiona of wages and prices the subject
of regulation. All t E? IS is directly contrary to the principles of
free labour and free trade.
The only other alternative which I can see is for the