The  deputation  of  working  men,  of  which  I  formed  part,  left
London  for  Antwerp  via  Harwich  on  the  25th  April,  1910.  On
arrival  at  the  great  Belgian  seaport  it  was  at  once  noticeable
that  the  majority  of  the  ships  were  flying  the  German  flag,
whilst  only  three  or  four  English  boats  lay  alongside  the  quays.
The  town  itself  struck  one  as  being  a  place  where  business  was
brisk  and  work  abundant.  Crowds  of  men  were  employed  in  the
discharging  and  loading  of  ships,  and,  strange  to  say,  there
were  no  men  waiting  for  the  chance  of  a  job.  There  was  no
loafing  about  at  the  street  corners,  also  no  shops  to  let,  and,
greatest  of  all,  no  children  running  about  without  boots  and
stockings,  which  is  the  case,  no  matter  into  what  town  you  go,
in  England.  The  people  looked,  healthy,  clean  and  con-
tented, and  had  the  appearance  of  being  well  fed.  In  the  well-
stocked  shops  were  displayed  food  stuff's  and  other  goods  similar
to  our  country,  and  at  prices  no  dearer  whatever.  No  dilapi-
dated houses  or  ruined  factories  were  to  be  found.  All  this
is  somewhat  different  from  what  would  be  expected  from  the
speeches  made  by  the  Free  Traders  during  the  last  elections,  etc.
In  a  workman's  eating-house  I  had  a  meal  consisting  of
soup,  beef  and  mutton,  potatoes  and  vegetables,  with  one  pint
of  lager  beer,  and  served  in  first-class  fashion,  for  7|-d.  I  am
quite  sure  the  same  dinner  could  not  have  been  bought  in  Eng-
land at  such  a  figure,  except  in  an  Army  shelter.
83

GHENT.
