SWEATED TRADES.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 129, 24 February 1908, Page 7

SWEATED TRADES.

WAGES BOARD SYSTEM.

THE VICTORIAN ACT PRAISED.

BUT NO COMMITTAL TO A MINIMUM "WAGE. dy telegraph—mess association —copyright. (Rec. Feb. 23, 4.29 p.m.) London, February 22. In tho Houso of Commons tho Sweated Industries Bill, based on Victorian legislation, was introduced, and was welcomed by all sections of tho Houso. Mr. Gladstone, Homo Secretary, accepted a proposal to send tho Bill to a Select Committeo after tho second reading, but intimated that tho Government would not bo oommitted to tho principlo of a compulsory minimum wago. Mr. C. I'. Allen (Liberal member for Stroud, Gloucestershire), Mr. E. A. Villiers (Liberal member for Brighton), and others eulogised tho Australasian regulations. Tho Bill passed its second' reading, and was sent to the Selcct Committeo on Homo Work. _ Mr. Gladstono said he thought tho Victorian system would stand tho test of time, but so far it had not been tested. Somo of tho machinery of tho Victorian Act would bo necessary to make tho Bill a practical measure. It would be extremely hard to provide a workable remedy for sweating, but experimental legislation 'was justifiable owing to the wretchedness of tho workers. Tho Rev. J. Hoatson, of Victoria, speaking at the National Liberal Club a few days ago, stated that the Sweated Industries Bill, which it was proposed to introduce-in' the House,of Commons shortly, would be based on Victorian legislation. He described the good work the Wages Boards had done in Victoria.