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Books of the Day
LABOR AND INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS
MR. JOHN PRICE'S BOOK,
"The International Labor Move
ment". (Oxford University Press, 15/),
which appears under the auspices of
the Royal Institute of International
Affairs, is one of these studies which
cannot be read through easily, which
have no great appeal to any except
specialists, and which yet deal with
facts and ideas which are tremen
dously Important.
The international co-operation of
labor, it was once thought, could pre
vent war and assist in the world rais
ing of living standards. The facts
of international labor organisation
have not borne out these hopes, yet
it would be a mistake to imagine that
nothing has been achieved. Although
the various Socialist Internationals
have been concerned largely with
intra-natlonal disputes, and although
they reflect national animosities and
policies to - a striking extent, some
solid gains have been achieved.
The proposal that labor should find
a voice in the councils of U.N.O, as
a sort of fifth estate points to the
fact that there is still life and' power
in the idea of an international con
ception of solidarity among workers.
Mr. Price's book- is the best that
has appeared on the subject. It Is
very well arranged, giving the factual
material under the various chapter
headings of Structure, Work (Intcr-
national and Industrial), looking at
the problem of organisation involved,
and concluding with some general
examination of theory and an esti
mate of achievement. The material
gathered -here represents only the
period between the two world wars.
There are, of course, references to the
earlier periods, ' but the range is
limited.
This is an excellent book lor the
student, but the thoughtful general
reader should not neglect it.
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