There is but one set-back in the table. It occurred in the year 1894, when the total gross assessment fell by £16,600,000, and the assessment under Schedule D (Trades and Professions) fell by £16,000,000. This fall, of course, was only an apparent one caused by an alteration in the limit of exemption. Since that date there has been remarkable growth. Since "Riches and Poverty" first appeared (1905) the growth has proceeded very rapidly indeed.
It is of interest to inquire into the movement of wages and employment during these years of remarkable prosperity. Did wages rise and was employment constant?
In "Riches and Poverty," edition 1905, pp. 99 et seq., I wrote:
"Let us take some typical trades, and examine the rates of wages paid in these years of rapidly increasing profits.
"The figures about to be quoted are those collected by the Labour Department of the Board of Trade.
"London carpenters in 1894 were paid 9½d. per hour. In 1897 the rate rose to 10d. and in 1903 to 10½d. In Birmingham in 1894 the rate was 9d. and in 1903 9½d. In Belfast the rise between 1894 and 1903 was from 7¾d. to 8½d.
"Bricklayers' labourers in London were paid 6½d. per hour in 1894 and 7d. in 1903. In Manchester the rate remained constant at 6d. per hour. In Birmingham there was a rise from 6d. to 6½d. Masons' labourers in Glasgow have been paid since 1894 a constant rate of 5½d.
"Turning to coal-hewers we get some considerable changes, which are best shown in tabular form:—
NOMINAL DAILY EARNINGS OF COAL HEWERS
1894-1903