It is very important to bear in mind that the high prices of coal from 1871-1873 were not the effect of the reduction in hours to any important extent. The order of events was, first, a greatly increased demand for coal, due to prosperity in the iron trade; secondly, a consequent rise in price; thirdly, a great increase in wages; and, fourthly, a reduction in hours. In other words, the reduction in hours was the result of high prices. Only in so far as the reduction in hours tended to prevent the output expanding as fast as it would otherwise have done could it be said that it affected the output. This reduction was confined to Northumberland, Durham, and some parts of Lancashire. In the other coal districts the output per man was either maintained or increased.[1]
The years subsequent to 1878 are also worthy of study. Prices were high in 1874 and 1875, and then fell rapidly. In South Wales smokeless steam coal f.o.b. at Cardiff averaged 15s. in 1872, 23s. in 1873, 16s. 6d. in 1874 and 1875, 10s. 3d. in 1876, 9s. 9d. in 1877, and 8r. 6d. in 1878. During these years the output of coal kept increasing, while the demand for coal steadily decreased. Wages fell, and the hours of labour were lengthened. The miners had then the choice of one of two courses, either to lengthen the working week or earn less wages. They adopted the former course, but even then they were unable to maintain wages.
The cotton-spinner has had to face a similar reduction in the rate of wages, but fortunately for him the use of improved machinery has enabled him to earn larger weekly wages at the reduced rate than he earned previously. But the miner is unable to avail himself of such a method of increasing production. His only resource is to hew more coal by remaining longer hours in the mine. This then is the point at which an eight hours day may cease to be observed, unless the miners adopt the principle of the working men in Victoria, that no matter what reductions take place in wages, they will not depart from their standard day.
In restricting this paper to the probable effects of a reduction of hours on the output and on wages it is not to be supposed that there are not other important aspects of the question. But the most important objections to an eight hours day for miners fall under one or other head. The mine-owners, in their reply to the miners, dwelt upon the increased cost of production, upon foreign
- ↑ Q. 1991.
