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of unskilled labour and because of the frequent isolation of the work from the world at large. The mine workers are generally housed in buildings provided by their employers, those coming from long distances frequently settling down in the vicinity, and there making their homes and finishing their lives. Those without families live for the most part in large common rooms, and are provided with food at a low rate of cost by the mine operators.

The pay ranges from about one shilling a day for adult males to slightly over sixpence for adult females, while boys and girls are paid about fourpence halfpenny and threepence respectively. In case of accident while on duty, the employers are bound to care for the injured, and when these are treated in hospitals other than those of the mine, a sum of money must be given to meet the expense. In case of disablement compensation is paid, and in the event of death a stated amount is allowed the family for funeral expenses. In the better class of mines there are mutual aid associations, in which reserve funds are created, and to which, in addition to contributions from the workers themselves, the owners, and sometimes outside persons charitably disposed, make donations. In granting relief from such funds, the amount given is fixed, all things being equal, according to the length of time the recipient has been a member, or according to his position, or according to both these conditions.

The condition of labourers is to be pitied by an impartial observer, when compared with those of England. Nothing like Trade Unions exist, and the workmen are quite unguarded and unorganized. On investigation we find that the workers in factories, which include 154,857 men and 248,617 women, according to official calculations for 1900, are poorly fed and overworked. The necessity of doing something in the way of ameliorating their condition is apparent. There is a probability of a Bill being introduced in Parliament by the Government in the future, the outline being somewhat as follows below. It may be far from being satisfactory, but, viewed in the light that something is better than nothing, even this law is to be welcomed.

This Act shall be applied to factories employing thirty or more hands. With respect to factories which are established