The Restoration of Trade Union Conditions. By Sidney Webb. (Nisbet
and Co. ls. net.)—The nation is pledged to restore to the Trade Unions after the war the conditions existing in July, 1914. Mr.,Webb maintains that this will be impossible, and that the choice will lie between a sham restoration of the old order and an entirely new settlement. We do not share his fear that the officials will trick Labour into a sham restoration with the approval of a well-meaning but deluded public. Mr. Webb is always far too suspicious. If the Labour leaders put forward a reasonable programme for the reorganization of industry on a peace footing, they are assured in advance of public sympathy and official support. Mr. Webb's outlined settlement deserves attention. The State is to prevent unemployment, to maintain standard rates of wages, and to encourage Trade Unionism and the formation of workshop committees dealing with changes of wages or conditions. In return the workmen are to abandon the avowed or unavowed restriction.] on output which have been the greatest drag on British industry.
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