XXXVlll
Comparatively little information has been obtained in regard to Groceries,
returns being available only for Aachen, Mannheim and Mülhausen. So far as
it is possible to judge from these few returns, prices appear to have undergone
little change.
On the whole, then, it would appear that the marked increase in the price
of bread in Germany between October, 1905, and the early months of 1908, was
to some extent off-set by the lower price of pork, whilst the prices of beef were
at practically the same level as at the earlier date, though it must be
remembered that during a considerable part of the intervening period meat
prices had been at a very much higher level.
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Changes in Wages.
There has been on the whole a marked upward movement in the predominant
weekly rates of wages or earnings between October, 1905, and
March, 1908,—a period of great industrial activity and expansion—in all the
towns and in all the industries investigated. The following table shows
the percentage changes in the predominant weekly earnings in various
branches of the Engineering Tracies in five towns ; it will be seen that
the rise has varied from 11 to 15 per cent, for most sections of the
trade in Magdeburg and Mannheim, from 5 to 8 per cent, in Berlin and
Mülhausen, and from 2*7 to 3 per cent, at Chemnitz. The general average
suggests a rise of something over 8 per cent, for the trade as a whole. Part of
these increases has undoubtedly been effected in the face of a fall in piece-rates,
owing ip the speeding-up of machinery, and the introduction of more efficient
methods.
Percentage Increases in Predominant Weekly Wages in the Engineering Trades
between October, 1905, and March, 1908.
Occupation.
Berlin.
Chemnitz.
Magdeburg.
Mannheim.
Mülhausen. Average,
Moulders
Fitters
Turners
Smiths
Pattern-Makers
Labourers ...
Per cent.
5*4
7- 9
4- 5
5- 9
1-4
8- 0
Per cent.
2-8
2-8
2-8
2-7
2-7
30
Per cent.
13-7
131
115
11-6
125
11-0
Per cent.
14-9
13-4
150
18-0*
148
6-4
Per cent.
9-1
7-0
7-1
4- 6
5- 5
52
Information from one firm only.
Per cent.
9-2
8-8
8-2
8-6
7-4
6-7
In the Building Trades the general movement has again been upward, as is
shown by the following Table, which gives the percentage changes for certain
occupations for which data comparable to that for October, 1905, could be
obtained ; in only one case, that of the bricklayers and masons at Aachen, was a
decline reported. The average increase for the occupations included in this
Table is a little over 7 per cent. In the building trades wages are, as a rule
regulated by agreements ; wages are generally increased at each revision of the
agreements, and where, as in some instances, there have been two revisions
since October, 1905, the advances have been considerable.
Percentage Increases in Predominant Weekly Wages in the Building Trades
between October, 1905, and March, 1908.
Occupation.
Aachen.
Bricklayers
Masons.
Carpenters ...
Painters
Labourers ...
and
Per cent.
(-3-4)
9-4
7-3
130
Berlin.
Per cent.
2-8
2-8
212
2-7
Chemnitz.
Magdeburg.
Mannheim.
Per cent.
11-5
115
0-0
171
Per cent.
3-9
3-9
3-6
7-3
Per cent.
81
13-6
00
Average.
Per cent.
4-6
6-9
9-1
8-0
