SWEATING COMMISSION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8969, 21 April 1890, Page 2

SWEATING COMMISSION.

Messrs J. Fulton. M.H.R. (chairman), and D. P. Fisher, Commissioners, sat at the Parliamentary Buildings at 10 a. m. on Saturday morning. A young woman employed aa a shirtmaker in a city factory gave evidence in private. She had practically no complaint to make. A BUTTON-HOLER. The afternoon sitting was begun with the examination of a young woman employed in making bntton holes. She was paid fid per dozen, and was able to do four or five dozen per day (not being a skilled hand). Working from 8 to 5 she could average about 15s a week, and the largest sum she had made In a week was 235, She could not keep herself onjwhat she earned, working only eight hours a day, and she complained of insufficient ventilation and the large proportion of ap. prentices in the factory where she worked. THE FIRST DOMESTIC SERVANT. A young woman who had been a domestic servant said her average hoars in that capacity were 16 per day, and she was allowed out one night a week, and on alternate Saturdayjand Sunday nights. Her wages were 9s a week, and she had no time to herself at all, there being five children in the family. In answer to Mr Fulton, the witness said the long hours and “the tyranny of the mistresses ” in domestic service was the reason why so many young women preferred factories and dressmaking and similar employments. People only kept one servant where they should keep two, and two where they should keep three. Why should not domestic servants be protected as well as the lumpers—big strong men I—who were protected and only worked eight hours a day ? Of coarse a mistress when you first went to a place, said, “If you hurry up you can get done by half past 2," but it was not so. She was six months learning her present business, daring which time she got no wages. She was now getting 3s a week, and was to be taught the trade by paying a premium. She denied that it was pride that induced girls to go into factories; it was simply as she stated. As a matter of fact, the work of a domestio servant was much the healthiest. BOILERMAKERS. Mr William Cliff, president of the Boilermakers’ Association, informed the CommisSion that he had no complaints to make. All but one of the Wellington shops recognised the Union, The wages (10a p6r day), the hours, and the {proportion of apprentices were all satisfactory. The Union had done much good in regulating hours and so on. For overtime they wore now paid time and a quarter foi the first two hours, and time and a half afterward. Before the Union was established they only got bare overtime. Did not see any objection to regular courts of arbitration if practical knowledge were en. sured. In his trade, the proportion of one boy to three men was allowed. He considered that fair. It was fixed purely to protect the men’s wages. Mr Fulton : So that the wages of the men were the only thing thought of, and the boys of the Colony were left to do the best they could f The witness said he could not see it in that light. The proportion was a very fair one. Mr Fulton quite agreed with that, but pointed out that no provision was made for the boys. Mr Cliff said this was undoubtedly a difficult question, and there were many boys to provide for, but in hia opinion it all came baok to the question of land settlement. ENGINEERS AND BOY LABOUR. An engineer made a complaint against the employment of boy labour. There only about 25 men in'the Society, and two shops did not recognise it. The wages men were getting were satisfactory—9s and 10s a day. If they could get it regulated he did not think the Society would mind a proportion of one boy to one man. Thought if boys had to be indentured it would solve the difficulty. Had no idea what would be done with the boys who were excluded. Including overtime his average earnings were £3 6a to £3 10s ; The employfis were insured in the Accident Insurance office, and paid 6d or Is a week. Another engineer gave similar evidence, and said that the boys could not learn the trade properly aa things were now. He thought one boy to one.man-was a fair proportion. . The Commission, at 3.45, adjourned till to-day. ■.