SWEATING SYSTEM. LOW PRICES IN WELLINGTON. Wellington, Nov. 3.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 314, 7 November 1888, Page 5

SWEATING SYSTEM. LOW PRICES IN WELLINGTON. Wellington, Nov. 3.

The sweating system in the tailoring trad seems to be carried on in Wellington almost as badly as in any other part of the colony> judging from inquiries made by an " EvenZ ing Post" reporter. The worst state o aftairs exists in connection with the manufacture of slop goods. One wholesale firm is said to be getting suits made for 16s each by three houses of sweating tailors, who cut out the material, provide about 4s worth of trimming, and then pass the work on to women, who receive 8s for completing the suits. A firm of cheap tailors pays its workmen and women at such starvation rates as these :—ls: — Is 6cl for making a pair of trousers or vest ; 4s 6d for coat : for taking each article from the cutter's hands and carrying it out to completion. At this rate workpeople are said to be able to earn only about 12s or 14s per week by sheer industry. One shop hand stated that after working from 8 to 5 in the factory she required the aid of her husband for two or three hours at home in the evening in order to enable her to earn 5s per day. To the credit of the leading firms of tailors be it said that their schedule prices are on the whole sufficient to enable very fair wages to be made by their employees.

'Housewife: "Before I employ you I must ask you, { Have you a lover?' "• Se vanb Maiden : " One ? How absurd."