of our competitors and where in addition wages were de- 
pressed to the minimum and in certain cases legislative 
provisions governing the hours of labour were abrogated. 
At the same time, the pressure of unemployment upon 
our members was increasing, and having regard to the 
nature of the competition with which the industry was 
faced, the Executive Council discussed the situation at 
their meeting in November, 1925, and decided that it could 
only be met by prohibition, and consequently addressed a 
resolution to the then Prime Minister on the matter. 
Simultaneously a communication was addressed to forty- 
eight Members of Parliament representing constituencies 
where iron and steel production was carried on, from 
which the following is extracted :— 
“I beg to direct your attention to the following resolu- 
tion passed by the Executive of the above organisation. 
which has been forwarded to the Prime Minister — 
‘That this Executive directs the attention of the 
Prime Minister to the parlous condition of the Iron 
and Steel Industry of this country, and to the adverse 
competitive factors operating against it which are 
outside its control, and urges the Government to take 
immediate steps to prohibit the importation of iron 
and steel from countries where wages rates and hours 
of labour are below British standards.’ 
“In connection with the above, I have to point out that 
with the exception of unskilled and certain semi-skilled 
grades, wages in the principal branches of the industry 
are—in comparison with pre-war rates—lower than in any 
other important industry in the country. This is due to 
the fact that wages are governed by the selling price of 
the commodities produced, with the consequence that in 
the heavy steel trades, for example, wages stand at 211 per 
cent. over pre-war as against an increased cost of living 
of 76 per cent. This has been necessary to compete with 
the prices of Continental competitors where wages— 
despite the principle laid down in the Washington Hours 
Convention—are made up by extended hours of labour. 
“Among other factors against this country are the differ- 
ence in the treatment of War debts, inflated exchanges and 
indirect subsidies in respect of exported material. 
“Despite the wages reductions referred to, the percentage 
of unemployment—after allowing for those who during the 
past four years have permanently left the industry— 
ranges from 22 per cent. to 25 per cent., a condition of 
things without parallel throughout its history. Yet it may 
be taken as a fairly reliable estimate that if the steel now 
being imported under unfair competitive conditions was 
produced in this country, it would find employment— 
direct or indirect—for over 100,000 workmen. This is 
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