The Globe. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 1874.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 81, 3 September 1874, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 1874.

The barmaid is au institution in this colony. Mr box, and those who agree with him in his anti alchoiic doctrines, would prevent any one of the weaker six from acting as minister to the wants of thirsty souls, but as lie cannot command a majority of votes \vc are still permitted to receive our refreshment from female hands. The barmaid however bus been the cause of some

discussion during the session, and indeed the two chambers of the Legislature very nearly came to a quarrel concerning the hour at which she should commence, and the time at which she should terminate, her daily tabor. The Council, under the idea we suppose of “ early to bed and early to rise,” proposed as an amendment on the clause regulating the hours during which an hotelkeeper may employ a barmaid, that she should not be compelled to work except between the hours of 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.; but the House of Representatives, better informed no doubt as to the wishes and habits of the class for whom they were legislating, refused to accept the proposed amendment. Messrs Steward, Swanson, and Sheehan who were, according to the correspondent of the Frcss, appointed “ managers,” drew up their reasons of dissent to the alteration in the “barmaid clause”and it is reported by the same authority that thereupon “ considerable opposition occurred.” It appeals however that the gentlemen from the House of Representatives had made themselves thoroughly acquainted with the wishes and feeling of the barmaids of Wellington at least, and consequently they came to the attack with the good wishes of the class who were interested. It even seems to have come to Major Richardson’s ears that Ins suggestion of shortening the barmaid’s hours of labor was received with aversion, and accordingly the gallant officer “ at “ once set about getting the hours “ placed in the Bill as they originally “ stood.” We are informed that, determined to have a thorough mastery of one subject at least, a member of the Legislature interviewed all the barmaids of Wellington, and ascertained from them that they preferred the hours of ii a.m to 11 p.m. We should like to have seen the honorable gentleman on his return from his round of visits, and have heard from him the various reasons adduced by his attractive clients for their preference of the hours in question. It seems to us, obvious, that a publican would require that the barmaid employed by him should be present, at what is usually his busiest hour, viz, from 10 to II in the evening, and the getting away from the bar at 10 p.m would not bo of much advantage to the barmaid interested, as she could not well go out after that hour. The question of the time in the morning at which the duties shall commence, is however dill', rent, and we are rather inclined to think that the chance of being able to get out, for an hour or so after breakfast, instead of going directly into the bar, will be gladly taken advantage of many barmaids. It is the fashion amongst a class of people, to sneer at young women who may take to the business of barmaids in order to earn a living; but whilst there is such a class, they have as much right as any other section of the community to bo protected from overwork and unnecessarily long hours of business.