CLOTHING TRADE.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 September 1924, Page 4

CLOTHING TRADE.

WELLINGTON, September 2. As ti result of recent representations from the clothing trade that tailored suits suffer unfair competition from chart-made suits being advertised in a misleading manlier, it contcrenco of tailors and chart-suit nmmifacturers is to lie held shortly in Wellington at the imitation of the I.about - Department, with the object of devising regulations under which purchasers who demand tailored suits will receive the article they require. There is no intention to impose repressive restrictions on the large trade in chart or factory-made suits. The Labour Department’s annual report mentions that those engaged in the order tailoring trade complain of the growing competition of chart suits, made under what art? described as factory conditions. It lias been asked that labels should, for the information of customers, be attached to the latter. it would appear tlniL the two classes ef work referred to might best lie described as those in which certain operation-, are performed by liatld or by machine ah the ease niay he. There is considerable difliculty in the matter, however, as ill some lactories a certain amount of work is being done by hand, while lit many of the tailoring work-rooms some ol the operations are done by machine. The matter is now the subject of inquiry. Another aspect referred to in the report is that requests have been made by workers in the clothing manulaet tiring trade that the giving out of work liv- manufacturers to I.e performed by persons in their homes should he either prohibited of restricted, it being urged that is is impossible to see that the work is done during reasonable hours, and ilt lair rates, or that proper hygienic conditions are observed in these homes. It is considered that hardship would in some cases be caused to workers by the total prohibition of the practice, but the following conditions- lor such work might lie laid down: —(l) Hint the work must tie done ill a suitable room exclusively set apart tor the purpose. 2) Thai registration may bo cancelled at any time il il is lottnd by nil inspector that liygctiic conditions do not exist. (It) That the parties satisfy tin**I’inspector 1 ’inspector that the remuneration paid lor the work is oil the whole tit least equivalent to the award or agreement rate (if any) applicable to such work. The Minister cl I.about - was asked I v .Mr .Sullivan to-day ti ike suggestions lor remedying the serious unemployment in the coltliing trade in Christchurch, or to allow I’arliament to discuss the question, lie bad been informed by the secretary ol llietluisl(lmrcli Tailors. I’ressers and Cutlets Guinn that hundreds of won - . - . girls and sniue scores ol men were out of employment or on half time. I lie t roil lie was due to the importation ol huge quantities of cheap loreign-made

The Minister of Labour undertook to look into the position and give an answer in a day or two.