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with fresh vigour. The movements undertaken in relation to it were throughout the country received with great public enthusiasm, which, however, did not produce the results expected, considering the unusual acclamation and curiosity shown by the public. During the next two years labour movements fared very badly, the period being one of confusion and disappointment. Although during this time the labour movement was energetically continued by the Socialists, who had their mouthpiece in the Labour World, the greatest difficulty must have no doubt been experienced by them. For the capitalists, who had hitherto assumed an indifferent attitude towards matters relating to labour, began to consider the establishment of labour societies would be injurious to their personal interests. They showed the greatest hostility to any movement likely to increase the power of the labour party, while they treated the labouring classes with severity and contempt, often bringing almost despotic pressure to bear upon them. This, combined with the bad economic condition of the country at that time, intensified all the more the wretched state of affairs amongst the working classes at large. In addition to this, the working classes were placed under a disadvantage by the issue of the Police Regulations for public peace already referred to, the operation of which was no doubt in favour of capitalists. As one of many instances to the enforcement of these regulations, a great festive gathering, to which allusion has already been made, proposed by the Niroku Shimpo for the benefit of the labouring classes, was prohibited. Thus, seeing what has occurred during the last few years, it must be admitted the position of the labour question in the past has by no means been a very satisfactory one. Now let us examine how the question stands to-day.

At present the interference of the Government and the opposition of the capitalists constitute the principal features to be noted in relation to the labour problem. It appears that the Police Regulations already referred to have struck an effective blow at the labour party—at least, for the time being. The working classes have been prohibited by these regulations from undertaking any movement under collective bodies, and making any demonstration against their employers in matters relating to wages and working hours. If there is any mention of a strike in a speech, or if there is any action suggesting the same in a labour movement, such speeches or actions are at present being summarily suppressed by the official agencies. Under these circumstances, the power of the various labour societies having become practically nil, their existence can hardly be called more than nominal. While the oppression with which the labouring classes are treated is thus increasing in severity,