ABSTRACT
The working-class standard of life—Vital necessity of improving it—Why it is difficult to bring about a considerable rise in wages—The relation between wages and employment—The 'economy of high wages' and its limits—The redistribution of incomes by taxation the best immediate way of raising the standard of life—High taxation need not hamper industry—How far incomes are redistributed to-day—The case for Family Allowances—Why these must be financed by taxation, and not by means of insurance or an 'industrial pool'—How large a scheme can the State afford?—The policy of a 'living wage' for all considered—Developments of the Trade Board system proposed—Wanted: a Central Trade Board—The attitude of a Labour Government towards Trade Union attempts to raise wages—The population problem—Effects of Family Allowances on birth-rates, death-rates, and migration—Birth-control—Quality more important than quantity in considering the population problem—Food supply in relation to population—The 'optimum' theory criticised—Effects of Family Allowances on Trade Union bargaining power—Redistribution of incomes as a stimulus to economic progress—Rival principles of payment, based on need and service—How they can be practically reconciled—Dividends for all?—Shall we reach full equality of incomes?
