THE WAGES OF FACTORY HANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14473, 13 September 1910, Page 7

THE WAGES OF FACTORY HANDS.

Sir,—Mr. Kings answer to my letter on the alleged dearth of factory hands is, I suppose, meant to be funny; but there is certainly nothing very funny about the Hon. . Sir. Paul's statement regarding the wage 3 paid to piecework hands in some of the Auckland factories. His statement has never been contradicted. I am speaking of piecework only. Everyone knows the Arbitration Court, or the Factory Act fixes the wages for time hands, and it is (fortunately, for the workers) not in the employer's power to alter them. Here are some of the prices quoted by Mr. Paul:—" Silk underskirts (sold from one to two guineas), 9d each;' plain shirt blouses, 2s 9d per dozen; ladies' white underskirts (two rows of insertion and one. of lace),, 2s 3d per dozen; largo Dorothy pinafores, with frill. Is -9d' per dozen; children's knickers, trimmed, Is bd per dozen." This statement was made a year ago in an interview, and reported in the- Ota go Daily Times. If it was not true it should have been contradicted at the time. These prices are - a disgrace to New Zealand, and nothing Mr. King may say can alter that fact. I enclose a copy of the interview for you, sir, and shall also send one to Mr. King, to refresh his memory. But I still maintain that there is no dearth of factory hands in Auckland; in fact, lots of skilled!. bunds have been out of work this Winter. Why, therefore, should we bring girls from Home to work at these prices? Such starvation wages can be obtained in London, where living is much cheaper than in New Zealand. Clement Kirkbt, President Women's Political League.