CHINESE LAUNDRIES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8981, 15 November 1907, Page 5

CHINESE LAUNDRIES.

HOURS OF CHINESE LABOUR FIXER ' .By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, Thursday. When the Factories Act Amendment Bill was' in committee in the Legislative Council, yesterday, the Hon. S. T. George moved an amendment to the provision which makes it illegal for any Asiatic to work for more than 48 hours in any laundry, by fixing the working hours in such laundries between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. He said it would be impossible to distinguish whether Chinese were 'Observing the law or not unless the working hours were definitely limited. The Hon. T. K. Macdona'd said .he had no sympathy with Chinese, but he had been asked to point out /the position Chinese were placed in -by virtue of this clause. He moved as a prior amendment that no Asiatic or any other person should be • employed in any laundry for more than 48 hours per week. Several speakers pointed out that the employment of women in factories was already limited by law to 45 'hours per week. The Hons. W. C. F. Carncross and F. Trask opposed the clause, and appealed for fair treatment for Chinese. The Hon. J. T. Paul said all the .legislature demanded was, that Chinese should live up to a decent standard of civilisation. The Attorney-General quoted from the Statute to show that the employment of Chinese in laundries was limited to 48 hours per week. There - had, however, been a wholesale evasion of the law. He had seen documents purporting to be deeds of partnership in respect of Chinese laundries, everyone being an employer, and nobody working as an employee. The Hon. T. K. Macdonald's proposal was. defeated by 15 votes to 8, y A and the Hon. S. T. George's amend- , i ment was carried by 13 votes to 8.