THE SWEATING SYSTEM IN DUNEDIN. COLONIAL SLAVES OF THE NEEDLE. Dunedin, October 20

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 310, 24 October 1888, Page 5

THE SWEATING SYSTEM IN DUNEDIN. COLONIAL SLAVES OF THE NEEDLE. Dunedin, October 20

Colonial readers are frequently shocked by perusing accounts of the miserable pittance paid to seamstresses in London and other large cities of the Old World ; but from certain revelations which have been made here, it would seem that the evils of the "sweating" system have been introduced to New Zealand and already form part of our social conditions. The " Otago Daily Times " publishes an article by2 a special correspondent, who has been making inquiry into the matter, which leases no doubt on the question of starvation wages being paid to poor female slaves of the needle in Dunedin. The correspondent stated, for instance, that a woman with an in valid husband and two young children, is employed finishing Crimean shirts and is paid 8d per doz., and if she works her hardest she can only earn fourpence per day. Other sweaters in town give ninepence, but the employer in question has a good business andean drive a better -bargain, being the possessor of fine shops and a beautifully furnished home. Some of these cases have been investigated by the Rev. Rutherford Waddel, who ' finds the facts to be absolutely correct, Moleskin trougers finishers work 12 hours a-day, and earn 2s to 2s 6d. Woollen shirt finishers get Is 6d per dozen, ( and some trousers finishers 2d per pair,