which can be credited to increased
productive power." To what, then, is the improvement due? A few
facts will upset his theory. On Nov. 1, 1883, in reply to my inquiries
as to the wages earned in 1843 and 1883, the following is sent
me by a manufacturer at Huddersfield :?
| |
1843. |
1883. |
| |
Hours of Labour, 72. |
Hours of Labour, 56. |
| |
Men. |
Women. |
Men. |
Women. |
| Dyers |
£0 14 0 |
|
£1 2 0 |
|
| Cloth-millers |
£0 17 0 |
|
£1 2 0 |
|
| Spinners |
£1 10 0 |
|
£1 10 0 |
|
| Feeders |
|
£0 7 0 |
|
£012 0 |
| Weavers |
£0 14 0 |
£0 9 0 |
£1 4 0 |
£0 18 0 |
| Burlers |
|
£0 6 0 |
|
£0 9 0 |
| Knotters |
|
£0 6 0 |
|
£0 10 0 |
| Menders |
|
£0 10 0 |
|
£0 16 0 |
| Piecers (boys) |
£0 4 0 |
|
£0 8 0 |
|
| Finishers |
£1 0 0 |
|
£1 4 0 |
|
| Finishers (boys) |
£0 5 0 |
|
£0 9 0 |
|
| Teazers |
£0 14 0 |
|
£1 2 0 |
|
In his letter to me he adds that
"the working classes have always opposed the adoption of improved
machinery, and, by striking and other means, to render it most
difficult for manufacturers to effect changes; and yet the result
has always been increased wages and more employment." The report
from Leeds is not so favourable. The fine cloth trade has been
replaced by a commoner class of goods, adapted for wholesale clothiers.
The working population is large, but there would be few paupers
if it were not for drink. In the South of Scotland, I find that
the rate of wages has increased from 50 to 100 per cent., while
the hours of labour have been greatly lessened.
