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215
[1907
Of these workshops 154 employ men as well as women. In many cases the work
is entirely distinct, being done in separate workrooms, but in 185 workrooms men and
women work together. As regards the number of workroms, this is only an approximate
number, as arrangements are frequently altered, and employees shifted about from room
to room.
There is a slight reduction in the total number of workshops, due, as before, to
trade depression. Most of the industries visited during the year did not appear to be in a
flourishing condition, many employers stating that trade has been gradually becoming worse,
and that since 1900 each year has been worse in this respect than the preceding. Some of
the workshops are really more in the nature of domestic workshops, as outsiders are
employed only occasionally, but they have not been removed from the register, as,
should trade improve, the occupiers hope to employ as before. The bad weather during
1907 affected the clothing industries unfavourably. This also accounts for the very flourishing
condition of one industry visited, viz., the making of waterproof goods. Although there
is still on the register a considerable number of dressmakers who execute what might be
called "bespoke" orders, yet this trade shows distinct signs of declining in importance.
While the better class dressmakers are still fairly busy, those who work for a lower class
do not get the same amount of patronage as formerly, because their customers prefer to
buy their garments ready made. Although this is not so economical in the end, the initial
expense is less, and there is a saving of time and trouble. A noticeable feature in connection
with the industries visited is the fact which so many employers emphasise, viz., that
when they need employees and advertise for them, they cannot get suitable persons. The
applicants are, speaking generally, few in number and unsuitable in kind. An experienced
employee is difficult to get, as, owing to the regrettable decline in the apprenticeship
system and the irregularity in the present-day employment, a proper practical knowledge of
any trade is difficult to acquire. In the case of many of the workshops, the employers are
outworkers, taking out work from a warehouse and getting it done by the help of others,
either indoor or outdoor hands. These middlemen often frankly admit that the workers
are badly paid. They find it impossible to pay good wages when they themselves scarcely
get a living wage. The whole system seems to be in a state of chaos. At present there is
no standard rate of pay. Different firms pay different prices for practically the same article,
and the same firm changes its own rate of pay from time to time, generally for the worse.
At the same time, the tendency of the work is to become more elaborate. When deductions
are made for cotton, fines, tram fares and other expenses, there appears to be very little
profit left for either the middleman or his employees. It is to be hoped that the Bill, which
has lately passed its second reading, may speedily become law, and that wages Boards may
be established whose duty it will be to enforce a legal minimum wage. The people concerned
are as a rule too apathetic to notice any efforts made towards legislation for their
benefit, but some are anxiously awaiting developments and wondering why nothing has been
done before. One striking defect in the system, and one that cannot be dealt with at present,
is the fact that the person who takes out work from some warehouses is kept waiting a
considerable time,, sometimes three or four hours, either standing on the stairs, in draughty
passages, or in some other unsuitable place. Seats in such places are the exception rather
than the rule. This method of doing business seems unnecessary, as well as inhuman.
Unhappily, though complaints have been received regarding the matter, nothing can be done
legally to remedy it. On the other hand, it has been found that in some places where work
is given out, the utmost consideration is shown, one place which came under notice supplying
tea in bad weather. Workshop occupiers frequently appear to have an objection to
admit that they employ outworkers, or to send their names and addresses to the local
authority. There is no apparent reason for this beyond the trouble involved in sending
lists, unless it is the feeling that their private affairs are being inquired into unnecessarily.
One ingenious method of evading the law in this respect was noticed during the year, though