THE SWEATING SYSTEM.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 444, 8 February 1890, Page 5

THE SWEATING SYSTEM.

TAILORESSES’ AND DRESSERS’ UNION. The Social Hall of the Y.M.C.A. Building was well filled last evening with candidates for admission to the new Tailoresses’ Union. Several members of the Trades and Labour Council were present, one of whom occupied the chair. Some interesting speeches were made by some of the tailors wno were present. One who spoke from practical knowledge, in alluding to the reasons given by some employers for giving low wages, namely, that die times were bad and the general depression which prevailed, said he knew one of them Who had supplied a suit.of clothes to a customer, for which he charged liitn £4 10s. He,,knew that the actual cost to this employer for the tweed used and the labour of making up was exactly £ll7s 9d. He therefore made a clear profit of £2l2s 3d. This was a much larger profit than was made by a first class tailor paying good wages. For instance, a suit of clothes for which £6 would be charged, the cost of the material and wages for labour would amount to £4 8? 6d, leaving a profit of £1 16s 6d. In the latter case, however, good wages were paid..:It was then decided to form a Committee to draw up rules. Adecision was, however, come to as to the amount to be charged as entrance, and the enrolment of members was proceeded with. Nearly all present gave in their names and paid the entrance fee, and ultimately it was arranged the Committee should meet on Tuesday next, and report to a future meeting.