National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-06-29
Lnhor In EnrelEn Countries.

The Department ofstate has compiled avery
interesting edition Of consular reports, In three
YoiuiUCs, upon labor in foreign countries. This
contribution OF exact knowledge Tor the benefit
OF American statesmen and students of pol,i.
cal economy is woitl the cost OF the consular
system hom the foundation of the government
to the present time. Consul General Spencer,
OF Melbourne, writes:
Doubtless one Of the most perplexing ofmod-
ern social problems Is the pcaccable readlust.
ment OF the unirlendly relations which at prcl-
cnt exist between capital and labor. II Ia ex.
cecding.y unfortunate ior both that they should
assume an attitude Of antagonism to each
other, for their interests nro identical, Capital
and ulor, IN fact, are but different forms OF the
same thing. Labor Is uudeyclOped capital and
capital is crystHlliZed labor"
Again he writes
Cooperation is the only practical solution Of
this great problem; cooperation Instead OF
competition Competition makes all men
lshlnaeliics. Cooperation would apply the
golden rule 20 busnoss Gliairs aud mako OF all
mankind common brotherhood"
In continuation he writes
Labor hus learned the value of combination.
Hnd Is becoming aggressive aud defiant Happy
will II be for capital IL II takes timely warning
and gverts the threatened conflict.
With Few exception the present rate Of wages
and the conditions Of labor have experienced
no change since 1873, except where there has
been keen competition brought about 10y
plulfOuuctiOn OF mnghines ana lcnnlc labOs-
That habits Of economy aud thrn prevail
TO great cXtcnt thut ont Of a population OF
yOO.CC0 persons there arr l22a}i depositOrs who
have 10 tEcir Credit In the savings banks an
aggregate OF slb,C0J.OOl Tho feeling which
prevails between The employers and employees
. in the colony OF Victoria Is, generally speak
ing, OF a friendly character The fact that for
number OF years no appropriations have been
made from the public revenue for migration
purposes, and the great distance from Europe
operates as n bar to emigration from the Old
World. Consequently thelGbor market Is rarely
skilled worknen Of every description arc able
TO dictate their own terms.
Eight hours, Hs rule, constitute days
lalor. Not only have all branches of
hnndicralt their trade unionU, but tue day
laborers also have similar organization. . !"
The effect OF such organizations Is to increase
the power and also the seli-TespeCt nf the!r in.
d!vidual members. Capital has not resortnd
TO any unions, either for aggressive or defensive
purposes Strikes arc not often had
recourse 10 aa Il means Of adjusting the current
rate OF wages. Any reasonable de-
i1and for increased remuneration Is ucccded
TO by employers, in preference 10 the loss
annoyance, and anxiety ontallod by tho sus.
-reAslop oiindpstrial operationg"
VIC nave not the space In to.daYs issue to
give more extensive quotations, but II is the
intention OF THE NATIosAL REPuBLIcAS to
make extracts from time TO time from tho con-
sular reports published by the Department of
State, which arc Of vast importance in the pro.
motion OF American interests at home and
abroad