Page:Future of England - Peel.djvu/84

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72
THE FUTURE OF ENGLAND
CH.

of labour is so apt to become demoralised, or is more dangerous when thus disorganised. England has only just awakened to this evil. Statesmen, by means of Labour Exchanges and so forth, men of business, by schemes for regularising work, are beginning to tackle decasualisation.

For instance, the outburst in its initial stage was worst at Liverpool. Here is what is already stated authoritatively with regard to the effect that the strike will have on the economic structure of the port. "A very real determination exists among all the enlightened and thoughtful shipowners to put an end to the conditions of labour which produce the hooligan and the wastrel. As at other ports the dock labour is casual. A scheme is in preparation by which regular men shall be increased as far as possible, and the fringe of casuals which remains shall have their work dovetailed, in so far as conditions allow." It is added that if this is carried out, the scheme may change the curse of the strike into a blessing. And there are other schemes in preparation throughout the country, calculated to mitigate, at least, one of the most potent and most urgent evils that the country has to face, an evil so deep as even in the long run to menace it.

A fourth readjustment of our industrial system, to be brought about by mutual goodwill and better understanding, is necessary in view of the serious dislocation, recently so apparent, that has been widening between capital on the one hand, and