THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING

Inangahua Times, Volume XIV, Issue 20619, 1 March 1889, Page 4

THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING

FACTORY (HALLENSTEIN & CO.)

♦ ■In prosecuting the inquiry amongst the employers of labour our representative called at the New Zealand Clothing Factory and had an interview with the manager for Messrs Hallenstein and Co. The substance of the conversation was as follows : — The accuracy of the statements published with regard to the sweating system carried on in Dunedin was admitted to be probable, but the manager and foreman declared that nothing of the sort has taken place in connection with their firm. It is true that the rates of remuneration paid by them are not as high as they were years ago, but considering the fall in prices affecting the cost of living, tho wages are said to be as good a3 formerly. Their employes can live and live well, and that they have money to spare is shown by the fact that they have tocial gatherings and picnics, towards the cost of which the firm is not asked to contribute. The rates paid are said also to be quite equal to those paitl in Melbourne. The firm are careful to give no opportunity for sweating. Nearly all the work is done by their own hands in the factory, and under the supervision of the foremen. What littb work is given out is given to very few, and in suet "qxftintities that subletting is impossible. The rates paid for work given out are precisely the same as • those paid in the factory. One case in which a woman earned only 6s or 7s a week attracted the manan'o's notice, and was investigated, as it j looked like one of great hardship. The facts in this cab« were that the woman, was old and incapable of wotk. She had wVk eiven her on' ofcl. tiity, and did it in her own lime, tukiuy a; great deal of time over it. IV m\r paid was the same us that given to others, but she was often overpaid, though this waa dove as a mutter of charity. As the. woman con id do so little work' nh«t was udvised to apply for relief, but this she declined to do, | preferring to go on earning the little i she could. That she did not earn more was wholly due to her misfortune in not being able to do the work aR others could do it. They believe the " sweating " is : done by and from the small factories. | There is a limited market, competition is keen, and thost who have been the means of reduoing prices go from fac» tory to factory and beat them down to '•Kirch au exteut that it is impossible that they car. give fair remuneration for the work. Hallenstein's being a large firm, and working only for their own selling branches, is not directly subject to this. They do uot make for other firms, but the . branches feel the competition, which is such as to indicate that living prices are not paid for the manufacturing of the articles offered for sale. » Still, of course, the public are attracted by the cheapness of the articles, and never give, and Will probably never be induced to give any consideration to the question whether the work was paid for or not. The New Zealand Clothing Factory provide all materials for their work — nothing is found by thoae who do the work, excepting the needles, and this is such a small item that it can hardly be taken into account.