THE SWEATING COMMISSION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2774, 24 April 1890, Page 2

THE SWEATING COMMISSION.

TO THIS EDITOR. Sir, —The Sweating Commission sitting here have disclosed some things that are strange. One establishment two years ago had its tailoresses perched like jackdaws on the roof of a neighbouring building stitching away on Saturday evenings till dark, so as to avoid detection, as the law provides that ou Saturdays they should knock off at 2 o'clock. The same firm now has thein down in a cellar, where at high tide they are companions of snapper and sprats. Another revelation discloses the action of the manager of another firm in giving out drill trousers to poor women struggling for existence to make at 2s Gd per dozen, while he himself was paid 7s Gd a dozen by the warehouse giving out the work. A woman could make the dozen in tw» days—three dozen a week. She earned 7s (id a week by hard work ; ho held never earned 15s for obliging her with the work. Had he 30 women em ployed his profits would have been £22 10s a week : their wages for skilled labour 7s (id each. He had a standing salary besides. " How long, 0 Lord, will thy people " —Yours, &c., Paunell,