SWEATING COMMISSION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6830, 18 April 1890, Page 4

SWEATING COMMISSION.

THE COMMISSION AT WELLINGTON.

[Pbb P&ess Association. J

WELLINGTON, April 17,

A woman complained that her daughter had been employed in dressmaking in a large establishment for twelve months without payment. She was then sent away on the ground that the firm could not affi.rd to pay her. A young woman engaged in the manufacture of shirts for various houses, said she employed fiVe gir^a in her house and four outside. She received 6a 6d for making cotton shirts, 7a 6d for union and 93 6d for Crimean, and she found all buttons, cotton, and silk for "feathering" and stitching; she supplied machines and all material to both inside and outside hands, and paid them 4s per dozen for cofcton shirts, 4s 6d for union, and 5s ior Crimean. The girls worked from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Girls could comfortably make a dozen shirts per day. The actual cost of cotton Bhirts to her was ss, leaving li 6d for her own work and responsibility. She did not think the prices paid were sufficient, and approved of the efforts of the Tailorssseß* Union to raise them. It took a very smart shirt hand to make 6d an hour.

A taiior stated thab in his trade they were supposed to work from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., but oiten they began at 4 a.m., and worked till 11 p.m. They worked these hours each succeeding night. Work fluctuated a good deal, and they worked these houra in order to make as much as possible. They could earn 9d per hour at aome work, and Is 3d at other work. Drapers received an order for a £3 suit; the cost, of material and making was £1 2s. For a£o 5s suit the cost of material and making was £3 is 6d. The Tailors' Union had prevented reduction in priceß, and also tuen taking work home for their family to fiuish while they walked about.

A young shirtmaker said Bhe made five shillings per week, working twelve hours. In making flour bags she earned the same amount, working from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. She was now on piecework, and for a full week had earned 10a.