The Sweating System.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 5028, 8 June 1889, Page 2

The Sweating System.

(By Telegraph.)

DUNEDIN, June 7. A largo and enthusiastic mooting was bold this evening to consider tbo sweating svstem. The report of the committee appointed at a meeting some time back was read. It stated that after a lengthy negotiation the warehousemen had declined the proposals submitted to them, which were that a minimum scale bo adopted lender which the workers could earn fair wages, and that in giving out work to contractors warehousemen and merchants should obtain a guarantee that the contractor should pay the workers not less than the tariff rates, and anyone violating this the work should bo withdrawn until reparation was made. Resolutions were carried: —(I) That Government bo requested to appoint a commission to enquire into the sweating system in this and other towns of the colony, and to report as to the best method of dealing with the whole subject; (2) that efforts bo made to form a union of tailoresscs, shirt machinists, finishers and pressers, such union to be called the Tailoresses’ Union of Now Zealand. The following were appointed a committee to give effect (o the foregoing resolutions :—Sir 11, Stout, Hon. W. H. Reynolds, Dr Filcholt, Messrs Stewart and Allen, M.H.R's., the Presidents of the Social Reform Association, the Tailors’ Union, Trades ond Labour Council, Carpenters’ Association, Boot Manufacturers’ and Messrs Maitland and Wisbart,