THE EMPLOYMENT OF FEMALES ACT.

Evening Star, Issue 3935, 5 October 1875, Page 3

THE EMPLOYMENT OF FEMALES ACT.

To the Editor. Sin,—When such men as Donald Reid and John L. Gillies come forward iu support of a movement, having for its aim an extension of the present hours of labor, during which the employment of females and children shall be lawful, people may be pauloned for exhibiting some degree of astonishment. These two gein Uemenhave hitherto been looked upon as the friends of the people, hut, after all, they are but mortal. Humanity and patriotism are nut always powerful enough to .resist the promptings of self-interest. But if any excuse can be urged on behalf of Alessrs Reid and Gillies, what can be said for the Even i no Star? Had it been the ‘Times’ that advocated the adop tion of Mr Reid’s amendment, not u soul would have been surprised. Ha 1 it been that flippant infant philosopher who belches forth his weekly “Passing Notes’’ in the columns of your “venerable contemporary,” the 1 Gt.igo Witness,’ people would have merely shrugged their shoulders with a contemptuous “Just l.ko him.” But that the Star—formerly known as the plucky and consistent defender of every institution worthy of preservation—should give its support to what many Regard as an unworthy cause, is certaily astounding. Sir, so convinced uni X of your honesty of purpose in whatever you advocat that I cm account for your defence of the amendment, ssught to be introduced in the Employment of Feimdcs Act, on no other assumption than that you have been led to form conclusions from incorrect information. Few will attempt to deny that the principle contained iu the amendment is fair enou.h in itself, l.ufas few will denv that it is capable of being abused, or that it will certainly be abused by unscrupulous employers. It hall very well to say “ the Legislature ought not to die .ate to women the particular hour they shall commence their daily labor,” but extend hours tor labor beyond their present limit, and who is to check the employment of women ami children during thegwhole of these hours ? While the factory is open and the hands are at work, pray, sir, who is to tell which woman commenced w’ork at six, and which at eight o’clock? In spite of any saving clause prohibiting the continuous employment of individuals beyond the limit of eight hours, employers will use the opportunity given them of extorting ns much as possible from their employes. TV ensure, the honest observation of the eight hour s’ system, a public time-keeper would bo required iu every factory and workroom itt the Colony. But, some one may say, “ the women would themselves inform of any infringement of Itho Act.” I pity tire poor creature who would dare do so. No more work would there be for her. We are told, however, that the proprietors of the Afosgiel factory are humane individuals, who would never dream of enriching themselves at the expense of the happiness and health of females and children. Grunting tiro humanity of these special proprietors, who shall guarantee similar humanity on the part of tho proprietors of other factories —nay, who shall guarantee the humanity

of the next directory of the Mosgiel factory itself? Although the interests of this particular factory have been the moving cause of Mr Eeid’a amendment, it ought not to be forgotten that numerous other factories and work-rooms will come within the operation of the aniendm nt. Apart, however, from the non-desirability of intcrfer’ng with the pa-sent Act, I contend that the proposed alteration of the Act is quite unnecessary, and shall cite the Mosgiel factory as an example in support of that view, "When owned by Messrs Arthur Burns and Co., that factory was supposed to have been worked profitably—at least when it was merged into a company, the brokers (Messrs Gillies aud Street) pledged themselves to the truth of the : r statement that it had been yielding profitable returns. How comes it. then, that wo arc now told that the factory cannot be worked profitably unless the Assembly legislates specially in its favor by altering the Employment of Females Act ? I shall bo answered—“. Because the company’s machinery is move extensive than was that of Burns and Co, 1 If so, let the company increase its staff of operatives, and the factory will be proportionately in the same position as it was in Burns’s time. Such companies as the Mosgiel Company are, when properly conducted, of great value to the Colony; hut if with the advantages of cheap markets for tire purchase of raw material, and high prices for their manufactures, they cannot exist without Slate support and special legislation, the sooner they disappear the I letter will it he for the State, for shareholders, and for employes. 1 rivato enterprise will very soon occupy the field vacated by such emasculated specimens of public commercial companies. As to what our female operatives think of Mr Donald Bud's amendment—ask them. All the females in the_ work-rooms of this City were painfully excited on hearing of the proposed amendment, and are now under the liveliest apprehension lest it be carried. For their sake—for the sale of the present and future hands of Now Zealand female operatives—l ask you to re-consider the matter bet ore again urging the adoption of Mi Beid s a oendment. li he po\\ r er of machinery is great in enriching a country, hut surely it oau bo mtide use of without risking the healthy, intelligent, and moral vigor of our female and children workers.—l am, &c., T , Mkkcv. Dunedin, October o,

P.S.— The important? of the subject-matter of my letter must plead my excuse for its length.