Sweating.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4683, 29 June 1893, Page 2

Sweating.

(Jjyttelton Times.) We gathered yesterday from the Parliamentary notes supplied to one of our contemporaries that Mr George Pisher intended " asking the Minister for Labour if steps can be taken to put an end to the Byatem of sweating

practiced in the Lyitdton Times Office." t This may or may not be the precise ' language employed by Mr Fisher in ' putting his question to the Minister ; but it indicates with sufficient clearness the source of his inspiration. The member for Wellington has, of course, a perfect right to make such enquiries as may be necessary to allay hisHUspicions, and we do not suppose for a moment that be is actuated by any special hostility towards this journal; but it will occur to most fair minded men that he should have satisfied himself of the existence of abuses before he proceeded to clamour for their removal. However, we are quite satisfied that Mr Fisher should go about the business in his own way, and we shall be very pleased indeed to have an opportunity to refute the miserable rumours that have been circulated recently in a more disreputable fashion. We have taken steps to place all the facts before the Minister for Labour, and we have invited the closest investigation by the Inspector of Factories. These gentlemen will have no difficulty in obtaining the information required by Mr Fisher, and we await the result with perfect confidence. In the meantime it is only necessary to say that nothing approaching " sweating" is practised in this office ; that the highest wages are paid to workmen and apprentices ; that the hours of labour are those recognised by the trade ; and that overtime is paid for in the usual way. We presume that when Mr Fisher has been assured of these facts he will make such amends as he can for the imputation he has been induced to level against the management.