SWEATED INDUSTRIES BILL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 30

SWEATED INDUSTRIES BILL.

SECOND READING AGREED TO

LONDON, February 20.

The Rev. J. Hoatson, of Victoria, speaking at the National Liberal Club, stated that the. Sweated Industiies Bill, which it was proposed to introduce in the House of Commons shortly, was based on Victorian legislation. He described the good work which the Wages Boards had done in Victoria.

February 22,

In the House of Commons the Sweated Industries Bill, which is based on the Victorian legislation, was introduced. It was welcomed by all sections of the House.

Mr Gladstone (Home Secretory) accepted a proposal to send the bill to a select committee after the second reading, but intimated that the Government would not be committed to the principle of a compulsory minimum wage.

Mr C. P. Allen, Mr E. A. Villiers, and others eulogised the Australasian regulations.

The bill has passed its second -reading, and has been sent to a ©elect committee on home work.

Mr Gladstone said he thought the Victorian S3'stem would stand the test oftime, but so far it had not been tested. Some of tne machinery of the Victorian Act was necessary to make a practical measure. It would be extremely hard to provide a workable remedy for sweating, but experimental legislation was justifiable owing to the wretchedness of the workers.