THE TYPOGRAPHICAL ASSOCIATION AMD FEMALE COMPOSITORS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8359, 12 September 1890, Page 6

THE TYPOGRAPHICAL ASSOCIATION AMD FEMALE COMPOSITORS.

TO THK KDITOK

Sir,—Re Dr. Bakewell's letter on the above subject, I am sure the majority of your readers will agree that this matter could not be left in more able hands than those of Mrs. Steadman Aldis, and I trust she will put fortli her best efforts on behalf of the female compositors. At the same time, I cannot but deplore that on one of their own sex this duty should devolve. The right to help and protect a woman used to be considered a man's first and most sacred duty, aud surely we must be getting debased rather than ennobled when such a pleasure as turning out of employment girls, i-iiuny ot whom have spent years in becoming proficient in their trade for the sake of a few who call themselves men, can be for one moment contemplated. We have heard a good deal lately about the misery and hardship that the action of the employers during the present strike will cause to the wives and families of some of the strikers, but how can we feel much sympathy with these, when members ot the same Trades Union propose so mean an action as to prevent these girls from earning an honest living? I have heard men (?) say " Let these gins get more suitable and womanly employment," but if they sliow themselves proficient, why more suitable ? and I for one can see nothing at all unwomanly in this sphere of labour. If there is not sufficient work for both sexes, or if they cannot work in harmony, then by all means let the discontented men go. Surely the " lords of the creation " have not become so weak, and their hands so useless, that they cannot turn their hands to other work, and if they cannot find work in the town let them go into the country, where perhaps a few years of manly labour, together with plenty of good pure air, will make not only their bodies but also their minds healthier. The Typographical Association have given the proprietors the alternative of either turning away their female compositors or suffer the penalties of a boycott and strike. In the case of the former action being taken then let us hoist them with their own petards, and then we shall at least have an opportunity of seeing whether we are still men or have degenerated into crawling reptiles ready to pounce upon and crush anything weaker than ourselves. But I sincerely trust that the proprietors will be among the first to show that they understand the true meaning of the phrase, "the stronger sex," by never allowing such a base and cruel wrong to be perpetrated.—l am, &c., Chas. Watkrhouse. Kent-street, September 11, 1890.