THE FACTORIES ACT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 95, 20 April 1903, Page 2

THE FACTORIES ACT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Whilst the Arbitration Oourt is sitting it seems to toe an opportune time to bring tnfore all interested in the above Act the matter of its strict enforcement, without fear or favour, in this district. At p«sent several of its provisions are being over-ridden by the employers, and there appears to be no authority he<e, ei her willing or ab'.e, to compel thesß employers to keep the j law. For instance, very little i'done! regarding inspection of fac o-ies as toj their safety for workmr-n and suchj matters as proper lighliug, ventilating, drainage and sanitation, covered belting, etc., require much more sup rvision | th*n they get hire. Then, as to holidays, the Act insists that there shall be a weekly half holiday and also some half-dozw special days. In New, Plymouth, when there is a whole holiday, some employers want to strike out the J usual half holiday. Fur instance, this j week iucluded E star Monday, a public holiday to be p.iid for under the AC 1 , and one fi m I know of told the boys they were to come back on the Thursday afternoon (their usual half-holiday). There is every possibility of losing their billets if they decline, and I, for one, strongly protest at this imposition on the part of the t mploye-s, and the gross negligence of the authorities which makes this thing possible.—l am, etc., A Worker. [ New Plymouth, April 16h, 1903.