SWEATING.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8729, 27 February 1894, Page 3

SWEATING.

TO THS EDITOR OF THS PRESS. Sir, —Can you give mc any information as to the extent of the application of the term *' sweating" and whether the laws which have been passed for its suppression have any application to mercantile offices andßanks? If they have I think there is plenty of room for the discharge of the Inspector's duties in Hereford street. It is within my knowledge that in one office situated east of Colombo street some of the clerks not long since were at work all night. And it ia also within my knowledge that in one. office about the same distance on the west of Colombo street the clerks have been going back night after night for weeks past, though they hail all of them done ' their regular day's work. Anyone interested in the matter can easily satisfy himself as to what is going on if he will walk some night from Manchester street along Hereford street to the river. Right .Mid left he wUI see lights burning till late hours, and will see cause to wonder why those who work with their hands should be protected if the law does not apply equally to those who work with their brains. It is quits tim.9 that such institutions should show more consideration for their employes. As a general rule a very moderate increase of the working staff would obviate the necessity of such hours being kept. But I can also suggest another remedy. Compel all such institutions to make a return to Government every month of the number of hands whom they have compelled to work overtime, the time so occupied, and the amount of overtime salary which has been paid ! I think ve-y shame would soon bring the worst offenders j to their senses !—Yours, «fee., I Time and a Half.