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220
1909]
The register does not show much change since last year. There is a slight increase in the
number, partly due, as before, to the installation of machinery in workshops. This change is not
altogether welcomed by some of the employees because, though there is a saving of energy and
labour, there is also a considerable nerve strain involved in keeping up the output which is expected
from expensive machinery. The employees appear to think that the saving of physical exertion is
dearly bought considering the exhaustion produced by the extra pressure to increase production.
In the case of factories, for the most part, the occupier is also the owner, and, consequently, the
industry is not being continually shifted from one house to another, as in the case of some workshop
industries where the occupier appears to be constantly on the move, in this way escaping attention
for some months between each removal. Once power has been installed at considerable expense
there is not the same likelihood of a removal, so that the factory register remains much the same.
Some of the factories on the list do not use power but are classed as Factories under Schedule VI.
of the Factory Act, which defines certain industries as factories, whether they use power or not.
Some of the factories mentioned are of considerable size, employing over 200 workers, whilst others
are more of the nature of a domistic industry. The system of classification of Factories under the
Act is rather confusing to the uninitiated, as it would appear there that any premises where power is
used and where only members of the same family are employed is classed as a Factory, and inspected
as such by H.M. Inspector; whereas any premises where certain work (such as bookbinding) coming
under Schedule VI. of the Factory Act, whether power is used or not and where only members of
the same family are employed, is classed as a Domestic Factory, to be inspected as a workshop by
officers of the Local Authority.
One of the factories in the list appears to be at the same time both factory and worshop.
On certain days, when the rooms are not being used for laundry purposes, they are used, without
power, for millinery and blouse making. This appears quite a distinct business, although it is
carried on by the same occupier in the same room for the sake of economy.
Although the visits paid to factories during the year were primarily with the object of
ensuring that the conveniences provided for women were kept in proper order, any sanitary defects
noticed, such as defective cisterns, floors, etc., have also been dealt with. It is sometimes a little
difficult to determine in the case of workplaces which are under dual inspection where one official
leaves off and the other begins as regards dealing with the various matters which require attention.
As noticed last year the conveniences in factories are kept in a more satisfactory manner
than formerly, and at present, taking them as a whole, they are in a very fair condition. A considerable
number of the defects found were due to carelessness on the part of the employees, who
often show a great disregard for the property of their employers. Their careless treatment of
fittings, etc., results in broken basins and fastenings, choked drains and other evils. Naturally
under these circumstances the efforts of the owners to keep things in proper order become relaxed,
and one can scarcely blame them. In this matter, as in other matters, the influence of the forewoman
is very noticeable, and sometimes, as the result of a new regime, the whole tone of a factory appears
to alter and there is a transformation in manners, behaviour and cleanliness. As previously mentioned,
factory owners, as a rule, welcome any visits as an assistance in keeping up to the mark
those told off to supervise certain duties.
Workshops and Laundries.—The register of workshops shows a small increase. At the end
of the year there were 857 Workshops and 128 Laundries on the register. There were added during
the year 210 workshops and 20 laundries, while 174 workshops and 24 laundries have been removed.
The work places left on the register comprise 1,598 rooms.