ALLEGED “SWEATING.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2163, 20 August 1907, Page 2

ALLEGED “SWEATING.”

A DRAPER PROSECUTED. Press Association. NELSON, August 19. George Carpenter, a draner, was charged under sub-section 3 of section 28 of “TheJFactories' Act” with having exposed for sale a shirt unlabelled to show that it was made outside a registered factory. It transpired ii. evidence that Carpenter paid 7-Jd foi the making of the shirt, the workei to find buttons, cotton, cutting out, and find own machine. He also paid Gd each for chemises and knickers. Defendant pleaded guilty and ignorance of the law, declaring that lie paid the same rate as a wholesale firm in Dunedin. He said he had an offer from Wellington to make hoys’ shirts at 6s a dozen and men’s shirts at 8s a dozen. He thought liis workers could make a shilling an hour foi chemises and knickers, and even more for night-dresses. The Inspector of Factories said he had been told tliaf one woman was working long hours, and earned 13s a week. The Alagistrate declared it was the thin end of the wedge of sweating, which must he prevented. As it was the first case in Nelson he fined defendant £l, with costs 30s, but in future cases would be more severely dealt with.