15 MARCH 1902, Page 2

We are extremely glad to note that in the House

of Lords on Thursday Lord Belper, on behalf of the Government, refused to allow Lord Lytton's Bill to bring the charitable laundries, like private laundries, under the Factory Acts, to be destroyed by an amendment in Committee moved by Lord Llandaff. The Bill accordingly passed through Committee and was reported. We trust most sincerely that the Bill will become law this Session, for we am convinced that the need for it is imperative. That it will cause the slightest harm to the well-managed convent and other charitable laundries we cannot allow for a moment. We believe that after it has been passed into law they will realise that it does them good, not harm. On the other hand, in putting a stop to the most un- satisfactory conditions which prevail in certain so-called charitable laundries it will prove a public benefit of the highest kind. Lord Lytton is to be warmly congratulated for the tact, common-sense, and fairness with which he has handled the matter.