INDEBTEDNESS. 
239 
month. In a few instances interest is charged. Advances are some- 
times given systematically on a particular day and may represent a sub- 
stantial fraction of the monthly wage. Such cases represent an approxi- 
mation to a system of half-monthly payment, and the position of the 
worker is made easier. In most establishments, however, no advances or 
only very small advances are granted. 
Attitude of Labour, 
While many employers are naturally opposed to proposals to 
compel them to introduce a system which would involve extra trouble and 
some extra expense, we believe that others would be ready to pay wages 
by shorter periods if they were convinced that their workers wanted it. 
When the Weekly Payments Bill was under discussion, the evidence of 
opposition to change on the part of the operatives seems to have had a con- 
siderable influence, and we have directed some attention to this point. As 
a result, itis not possible to indulge in any generalisation on the question. 
The leaders of labour realise the possibilities which a shorter period offers, 
but there cannot be said to be any widely voiced demand for change. 
Indeed, whether the employer has paid monthly, half-monthly, fort- 
nightly, weekly or daily, the workers have nearly always acquiesced, 
and the majority are so heavily indebted that the gain which a 
change of period might bring appears trifling when compared with the 
possible inconvenience or danger, Thus in some branches of industry, 
and especially on railways, particular privileges are apt to be accorded to 
monthly-paid men and not to others. In such cases, the proposal to 
reduce the period naturally creates apprehension. With a few there is a 
sense of prestige attaching to monthly payments, and in some cases the 
system of advances goes far to overcome the disadvantages of monthly 
payment. More potent with many, probably, is the fear of a disturbance 
of relations with money-lenders, shopkeepers and landlords, who are natur- 
ally unwilling to alter their systems of accounts. Small groups of workers 
Who can only pay their bills monthly, if paid fortnightly, may be placed 
In a difficulty, and this is not likely to be overcome unless employers in 
& particular centre or Government enforce a change in respect of large 
humbers of workers. The introduction of a short period of payment, 
like some of our other proposals may involve an addition to the 
nominal or real rate of interest on the reduced sums that will be borrowed, 
but here again we fall back on our main proposition regarding the danger 
of credit. To give the money-lender greater security in respect of re- 
coveries, e.g., by compelling all employers to collect his debts, would bring 
down the interest rates, but it would be ruinous to the borrowers. We 
wish to make the borrowing of substantial sums difficult, not easy. A 
reduction of the period would enhance the difficulties of collecting debts 
and would thus assist in securing that reduction in the worker’s capacity 
to borrow which we believe to be of such fundamental importance. 
Finally, in a number of cases, the opposition of the jobbers to a change 
18 influential. These men, who are frequently money-lenders themselves 
and sometimes act ag intermediaries n securing loans. and whose anxiety