INDUSTRIAL LAW COMMITTEE.
[TO TUN EDITOR Or Till *Sraorkroa."] SIE,—May I, through the columns of the Spectator, draw atten- tion to the Annual Report, just issued, of _ the Industrial Law Committee? This Society was formed in 1898 in response to the desire expressed by many social workers for a fuller kniwledge of the protection afforded by law to women and children engaged ia industrial work. The ten years' experience of the Committee has proved that many unnecessary evils in industrial life are borne without complaint because the workers concerned do not realise to how great an extent the law is able to protect them, and fail, through ignorance or fear, to claim the help which is theirs by right. It is the aim of the Committee to make such needless suffering impossible, and to this end they seek to come into touch with district visitors, nurses, teachers, and other social workers, and to give them information regarding the industrial laws of the country in order that they in turn may be able to instruct the women and girls who look to them for sympathy and advice. The -information alluded to is given largely by means of lectures, and the Committee are fortunate in beim:, able to secure experts, among whom are some of H.M. Inspectors of Factories, to deliver these lectures for them. Proof of the need which exists for such educational work is afforded by the fact that after almost every lecture complaints referring to matters never previously recognised as illegalities are sent in by members of the smiler .vs. As typical instances of complaints received may be cited the cases of a laundry girl whose hand was crushed and who lost two fingers in a machine mangle ; of a boy working in a shop daily from 8 a.m. to 10.30 p.m., and sometimes much. later; and of dress- makers' assistants obliged to work in a basement room lighted and ventilated only by a grating, opening into the street and having a damp earthen floor. The Committee greatly desire to extend their lecture work, and are only hindered from doing so by lack, of funds. They feel assured of the sympathy of those interested in industrial questions, and venture to hope that such sympathy May take practical form in the increased financial support which they greatly need. Subscriptions may be sent to
the Secretary, Industrial Law Committee, York Mansions, York Street, Westminster, S.W.—I am, Sir, "cc., Secretary Industrial Law Committee.
[The Committee is working to help those—i.e., women and children—who are not in the true sense free agents, and rightly claims the support of the public.—En. Spectator.]
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