Wholesale Price of Merchandise in England.

The price of the period from 1845 to 1850 is taken as 100. The figures above and below 100 show the percentage.

1st June, 1891.
Wheat . . . . .	61
Meat . . . . .	126
Sugar . . . . .	36
Tea . . . . .	70
Oil . . . . .	86
Tallow . . . . .	80
Leather . . . . .	130
Copper . . . . .	66
Coffee . . . . .	136
Cotton . . . . .	82
Raw Silk . . . . .	130
Flax . . . . .	65
Wool . . . . .	102
Iron . . . . .	87
Lead . . . . .	76
Cotton Thread . . . . .	97
Cotton Fabrics . . . . .	89

Now, contrary to the statements of Socialists, the nominal rate of wages has risen, and one must add to the nominal rate the increased power of purchase which has resulted from the fall in price of manufactured articles, and all articles of food, except meat.

For cotton thread and cotton fabrics, the weekly wages, producing 1093 yards (1000 metres) were, in Lancashire:—

In 1850 . . . .	£217	8	1
In 1880 . . . .	378	10	9
Increase . .	£161	2	8

An increase from 1850 to 1889 of 74·69 per cent.

For medium quality, the weekly wages producing 1093 yards were, for 526 persons:—

In 1850 . . . .	£264	19	6
In 1880 . . . .	481	13	0
Increase . .	£216	13	6
Or 81·75 per cent.

Edition: current; Page: [96]

	1840.	1885.
Smiths	20s. 0d.	25s. 9d.
Constructor of Mills	21s. 2d.	26s. 9d.
Bricklayers	20s. 0d.	26s. 3d.
Carpenters	16s. 9d.	26s. 3d.
Manual Labourers	11s. to 12s. 3d.	16s. 11d.

We beg to call attention to the increase of wages of the unskilled labourer: it proves how thoroughly labour is subject to the Law of Supply and Demand. The earnings of the labourers have increased more rapidly than those of other callings, because their number has a tendency to become restricted in proportion to the advance of education.

Mr. Lord, President of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, has established the following proportion:—