PROTECTION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10217, 11 December 1893, Page 6

PROTECTION.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir, —Will you kindly find me space in your columns for a few remarks in connection with the subject of Mr Cunniugtou’a letter, which appeared a few days since. Your correspondent is evidently a man who lives with his eyes open, and whose manly feelings have been aroused at the shameful way in which many of our girls are compelled to earn a living. I say “compelled” because, to a large extent, they are driven to a life ci abandonment by those who are far too frequently looked upon as reputable business people. It is not alone the orphans, or the daughters of the poor or vile parents who ato so driven to live, bub in some cases the girls of Godfearing parents. The vicious system of “ sweating ” that is carried on ia Now Zealand accounts for much of the demoralisation of our- girls, for those who are not wilfully blind cannot fail to ace how shamefully the girls are imposed upon in such places as drapery, millinery 'and dressmaking establishments. The greater part of the girls so employed receive no remuneration. The custom is that they work the first your for nothing, at the end of which time a salary is promised. This " salary ” too often turns out to be less than the cost of shoo leather, and should any demur to accept it be evinced, there ia a successive crop of probationers on hand to continue the work for nothing, these in their turn rn be again deluded; and yeb these ewkLlienmeats charge their customers as libV.al rates'for making up their wares as though they paid fair and liberal salaries. Girls are not only discharged at tho expiration of thsir first yeah, but are frequently asked to give a further portion cf their time gratuitously should they apply in a fresh quarter for employment, in. order to convince their would-be new employer of their capabilities. Thus, her’ time continues to bo wasted till she bocomc-s too old for an apprentice, and, despairing of obtaining remunerative work, in sheer desperation she goes from bad to worse, and finally (in many cajss) ends tee days in soma vile occupation, which sinks and degrades her in the eyes o£ all honest people. Men’s wrongs sink into insignificance in comparison with - this. Lee men forget thoir wrongs, and, as Mr Gunnlngtoa says, look after their daughters’ rights. Let us .have laws whereby girls (and boys too) will have to be legally bound to and pioperly taught their business, and receive a proper wage. Until the provisions of tho Factory Act be extended in the direction of legislation for proper pay, as v/ell as limited hours of work, such in.-1 thtions as Mount Megdala, Rescue Homos, Ac., will bo more and mote needed.—l sm, MAT JUSTITIA EUAT CCELTJM,