This International Association meets regularly in conference, as in Cologne (1902), Berne (1905), Lucerne (1908), Lugano (1910), and Zurich (1912). The questions raised in the International Labour Bureau, which receives financial aid from a number of States, are fully and scientifically discussed with the object of finding a basis on which to bring into agreement the divergent laws of the different countries. A further task of this strictly scientific institution is the collection and publication of literature bearing on the protection of workers in one and another country, distribution of information, and the editing of reports and memoranda. The question of prevention of industrial poisoning has always taken a foremost place in the programme of the International Association and in the agenda of the International Labour Bureau. At its first meeting a resolution was adopted advocating the prohibition of the use of white phosphorus and white lead, and the Labour Bureau in Basle was instructed to take the necessary steps. Special, if not prohibitive, economical considerations foreshadowed difficulties—all the greater because the matter at issue concerned prohibition of articles playing a part in the markets of the world. Just on that account international treatment of such questions is necessary, since a peaceful and orderly solution can only be arrived at on such lines. International effort endeavours here to press with equal weight on the countries competing with one another commercially, so that in the protection of the workers economic adjustment is sought in order that efforts based on humanitarian grounds shall not at the same time cause economic disadvantages, the aim being to produce general welfare and not merely protection of one class at the expense of another. Through these international agreements between various countries success in the direction aimed at is hopeful, and indeed to a certain extent—as in the phosphorus and lead questions—actually attained. Thus, for example, Germany and Italy were in a position to enforce prohibition of the use of white phosphorus early, while their neighbour Austria, on account of commercial and political considerations and the conditions of the home lucifer match industry, has only recently decided on prohibition. As international agreement for the protection of workers is advisable on economic grounds, so also is it reasonable and just from purely humanitarian reasons that workers, without reference to civil condition or nationality, should be equally protected. On this point it is proposed to take a vote and to press only for those reforms which are thoroughly sound and recognised as necessary.