The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1890-03-07
EMPEROR WILLIAM AND LABOR
REFORM.

ENtEnUn William nNU LNUOU
REFORM.
Emperor William 8 policy of labor
reform has attracted much attention
and varied comment throughout
Europe. Sir Charles Dixie on ar
irving in Paris recently was inter
viewed regarding the Emperor's re-
scripts on the matter. lie considered
that the proposal for an intcrna-
tional labor conference emanated
from the state socialists, who form
sincere class of reformers as distn-
guished from the violent socialists
against whom restrictive laws arc
enforced. Sir Charles thought that
Great Britain, which had accepted
IN invitation from Switzerland for a
similar conference, would also ac-
cept that of Germany. Great
Britain had nothing to lose, he said,
by taking part in such congress.
Already her hours of labor are
shorter than those on the continent,
and her constant tendency is to es-
tablish the forty-iive hours week
system at present in vogue in Aus
tralia. AS to what the conference
would accomplish, Sir Charles was
not very sanguine, saying:
''The characteristics and aptitudes
of each people are as different as
the conditions under which they
live, so that any very deep-seated
unanimity of opinion upon labor re-
form can hardly be looked for. Per-
haps, however, they will be able to
agree upon the length of working
hours. For example. Australia has
demonstrated that shortening the
hours of labor does not necessarily
lessen the amount produced in any
case, and, whatever the outcome of
the congress, which will be but one
step in the march toward the general
socialistic upheaval which l regard
as inevitable in fifty or hundred
wears, our descendants will look
upon the organization Of our society
very much as we look upon the
feudal system of our ancestors"
M. Leroy Beaulieu, one of the
great French political economists,
said he regarded the proposal of the
German rescript as impractical
dangerous, and in every way i'll
advised"
civilian ii. is 4 young man, with
only a superficial knowledge of the
vast question he has undertaken to
deal with, or perhaps in his igno-
rance he has confidence in the re.
medy he suggests, but you may be
quite sure that Prince Bismarck
who is pulling the wires behind the
throne, is simply maneuvering tt
catch the votes Of his socialistlc enc
mics in the approaching elections.
M. Beaulieu continuing expressed
views similar to those of Sir Charles
Dixie, as to the impracticability o
concerted international labor reform
owing to the many disparites in tn
conditions of the different nations
mo international congress, SAT-
he, "can ever make an Italian do q
much work as an American, nor ca
an American workman hope to tur
out in a given time product whic
will possess the artistic eXcellenc
Of II French article, for the French
man is essentially of an artistic ma
ture." England has great advan
tagc in having no enormous standin!
army. Italy is at disadvantage il
having no iron or coal. NJ. Beau
licu's further remarks arc wort
quoting in full. He says:
"No; the idea is simply prepost
erous. Never yet have the nation
of Europe been able to agree upo
even the most elementary subjects
International congresses have trie,
again and again to come to som
understanding on the sugar Ques
tion, ON the question of commercial
treaties, the question of common
monetary system, a common system
of weights and measures and man,
other questions, but they have neve
succeeded and never will succeed
until YOU can do away with inter