1. The shortening the hours of labour, and abolition of Sunday-work.
2. Alteration of the mode of work; as the substitution of day-work for piece-work, as a means of decreasing the stimulus to overwork.
3. Extension of the term of hiring; by the substitution of annual engagements for daily or weekly hirings, with a view to the prevention of “casual labour.”
4. Limitation of the number of hands employed by one capitalist; so as to prevent the undue extension of “the large system of production.”
5. Taxation of machinery; with the object, not only of making it contribute its quota to the revenue of the country, but of impeding its undue increase.
6. The discountenance of every form of work that tends to the making up of a greater quantity of materials with a less quantity of labour; and consequently to the expenditure of a greater proportion of the capital of the country on machinery or materials, and a correspondingly less proportion on the labourers.
E. “Protective imposts,” or high import duties on such foreign commodities as can be produced in this country; with the view of preventing the labour of the comparatively untaxed and uncivilized foreigner being brought into competition with that of the taxed and civilized producer at home.
F. “Financial reform,” or reduction of the taxation of the country; as enabling the home labourer the better to compete with the foreigner.
The two latter proposals, and that of the extension of the markets, may be said to seek to remedy low wages by expanding or circumscribing the foreign trade of the country.
G. A different division of the proceeds of labour. For this object several schemes have been propounded:—