A LAUNDRY BILL

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12804, 7 March 1936, Page 12

A LAUNDRY BILL

>LAWS FOR WASHERWOMEN AND HANDLERS JOKE ON THE HOUSE ■•No male, other than a mangjettinier, shall, on any pretence whatever, he allowed to work about any washer-woman’s or mnngler's place of business. The penalty for the breach, y,of thi s clause is imprisonment for f six months.” This was the fourteenth provision of a famous legislative measure which, at the advent of Seddoniau political humanitarianism, astounded the New Zealand House of Representatives and entertained the people. Tt was actually introduced by a Mr. Buekland and caused a peck of trouble amontf officers and printers. Indeed, the Premier of the day was so enraged that he threatened to "sack the lot,” but .temper was appeased by an order-to expunge the Bill from the records of Parliament.

A copy of the ingenious measure is still in existence, and is worth circulation states the Donation. Its title is “An Act to Regulate the Business of Washerwomen and Mangier?.” The short- title is “The Washerwomen mid, the Manglers’ Act, 1892. It- shall come into force on the first- day of January, 1893.” In the interpretation clause m mangier means “any female who undertakes the violent compression of any ‘wash’ between rollers at- so much a dozen.” The term “wash” means and includes “-oiled linen of all varieties, articles of apparel, and the various household utilities that artcapable of renovation, and restoration by the application of X hot or cold water in conjunction with soap or other like ingredient, accompanied by a violent and continued rubbing between the hands, or in some equivalent artificial piece of machinery 'Washerwoman’ means any female, who undertakes the washing of a •wash’ at so much a piece.” The Bill contains 16 clauses wiria ample provision made for penaltie-. for example, every washer or mangier failing to obtain a license was to be liable to a fine of no less than one shilling non more than £IOO. The licensing fee was set at ->? per annum. “Every female to whom, any such license as aforesaid shall bo issued shall canse to he written, painted or printed in large Roman letters of at least 2 feet in -depth, upon the most conspicuous end or side of her place or business. 'Licensed Washerwoman’ or ‘Licensed Mangier,’ :t s the cause may be. Any female committing a breach of this section shall h>v liable to a penalty of -at least £SO. ’ This clause, however, was less exacting than the provisions imposed upon, persons sending a "wash” or “mangle” to any washerwoman or mangier, each person being compelled to register a mark or brand with the nearest

registrar of stock brands at a- fee of 5s for each registration. It was to bo necessary also for persons to mako out in triplicate a list of tho wash or mangle sent- to the licensed washer woman or mangier, one. copy to be, deposited with the clerk of the nearestyV Magistrate’s Court-, one forwarded to the Auditor-General, and one to tho Minister of Public Works. Any. person could peruse, any such list during business hours on payment of a fee of Is. Any breach of this section was to render the offender liable to a fine of £5. A stringent- provision was also made respecting lost wash,, the Minister of Public Works being; authorised! to compel the washerwoman or mangier to make good the worth of the missing articles or, in. default, commit the washerwoman or mangier to the nearest gaol for contempt. of Ministerial authority. In. cases of dissatisfaction or dispute, complaints were to'be lodged with! the Minister of Labour, whose decision was to be final.

In view of the modern prospect off a. 40-hour week, it will be of interest, to note that tho Washers and Manglers Bill limited the working; honr s of washerwomen and Inanglers io 72 hours in ono week. The Bill was introduced in 1892, hut it did not reach the Statute Book, an; , angry Government throwing it out oi} the House,