The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 86
"Workers."
"Workers."
How much land and capital do the manual labor class own? Supposing that they were the owners of the whole of—
that is to say, barely more than one-sixtieth part of the land and capital with which they work. The number of persons "employed at wages" in the industries of the kingdom, is estimated at about fourteen millions, including over four million women. The share ot the able-bodied manual workers, in property, then, must average not more than £14 per head of those in employment, producing less than twelve shillings a year interest. What the value of the capital owned by workers above the manual labor class may be, can only be conjectured. But we know from the Income Tax returns that out of the total of 16½ millions of separate incomes, only 1½ millions amount to £150 a year and upwards; and we have noticed how small is the number of persons owning large amounts of property in the instruments of production.
the deposits (1891) in the P.O. Savings Banks§ | £71,608,002 |
the deposits (1891) in the Trustee Savings Banks | 42,875,565 |
the Consols purchased for small holders by the Post Office | 5,087,765 |
the nominal capital (1890) of the Building Societies¶ | 52,482,577page 9 |
The nominal capital (1890) of the Trade Unions, Co-operative Societies, Friendly and Provident Societies | 15,261,216 |
The nominal capital (1890) of the Industrial Life Assurance Societies | 8,873,082 |
they would own land and capital valued at | £196,188,207 |
§ See "Statistical Abstract."
¶ See "Statistical Abstract," and "Report of Registrar of Friendly Societies." The "Co-operative Annual" gives a higher figure for the Stores Capital, but includes that of the Civil Service and other middle-class societies.