A Case of Sweating.

Manawatu Herald, 5 January 1899, Page 3

A Case of Sweating.

The following instance of disgraceful sweating is given in a letter to the Sydney Daily Telegraph by Miss Rennie, hop. secretary of the Young Women's Christian Association :-*•" In the interests of the women workers of Sydney, may I be allowed to state a case which has just been reported to the committee of the Young Women's Christian Association by their city missionary. Visiting a dying girl at the instance of a young sister employed in a factory, she found two women (one the mother of these girls and of three younger children) who vere employed in making cloth trousers for a Sydney firm. Working from 6 a.m. till midnight, with the exception of the barest possible necessary time spent in the care of the children, they wrere able to make 40 pairs finished throughout, except pressing, in a week, for four of which they were paid 6d. and the remainder 4^d per pair. The sum of 7s 3d each in the week was thus realised, with a reduction of is for thread, two journeys (sometimes three) being necessary, as city rents were too high for them. On our missionary looking incredulous, the book was taken down, and the story verified, the remark being made in sad truth, ' It's not living, but downright slavery.' " «—*—■—_—-——