SWEATING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6829, 17 April 1890, Page 4

SWEATING.

THE • COMMISSIONEES AT WELLINGTON. [Fxb Press Association.] WELLINGTON, April 16. Mr Robinson further said the sanitary arrangements of the ' Wellington Bhopswere uniformly good. It waa his opinion that Colonial girls did not like service, and preferred to go into mi.liners' or dressmakers' shops. Mr Blair, one of the Commissioners, expressed the opinion that early closers would yet attain their object by their inflaence on the public and without legislation. Mrß Nelson, trouser finisher at a local i clothing factory, deposed that she worked i eight hours a day and received 7d per , pair. She could not average more than ) i tour or five pairs unless she took work i home. The most she ever earned in a • week was 21s. She thought for eight hours' work girls should be paid at least [ 25s per week. I The Chairman of the Commission received a letter to-day from the Secretary r of the Victorian Early Closing Association, i offering to forward to them copies of the , Victorian Shops and Factories Act, and i also pamphlets showing the amendments that are being sought there. The Com- ; missionera consider that the information I will be very valuable to them, and will , avail themselves of the offer. I This afternoon William M'Girr, Presi- ■ dent of the local Typographical Society, ; was examined. He complained of the I number of boys employed in the trade, and ■ said in one establishment seven boys, i receiving an aggregate of £2 0a 6d per . week were employed. There were a • few competent adult compositors out of work here, and the places of these boys . could be filled by men. He thought the . Apprentices Act should be enforced, and , boys should be compelled to pass the sixth standard before being apprenticed. He , admitted that the Association had never aided bojß to get a good training, also that I prices were so cheap that boy labour was absolutely forced on the employers; but ; the employers commenced that by cutting ! down prices. , Commissioner Blair laid stress on the > neglect of Associations to provide for the training of apprentices, and expressed an ' opinion that this was a legitimate call for legislative action. The Legislature stepped in, and said doctors, lawyers, and others should go through certain training, and it ought to be the same with printers. The Commission adjourned till to-morrow . when Mr Lundon, Secretary of the local , Amalgamated Kailway Servants will be ; examined. Mr Fulton intimated that be had refused, while in the South, to go into ; the general grievances of railway employees, ' holding that to do so would be a tunction , for a separate enquiry.