PATERNAL GOVERNMENT.
[To TILE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] Siu,—As you truly remark in the Spectator of April 7th, any attempt to raise the wages of women by law would only result in the dismissal of all the less efficient women; and I am thankful to see that you do not think our legislators would be justified in pursuing a course which would have such a disas- trous effect on thousands of industrious persons. The causes of the low wages now earned by women do not seem to be generally understood, and I should be grateful if you would allow me space to set forth these causes. The Industrial Committee of the Women Workers about two years and a half ago made an inquiry as to whether women's wages were falling or not, and two years ago they published the result of these inquiries in the Contemporary Review, and also in a Report. The opinion at which they arrived was that women's wages were falling considerably, and were almost everywhere lower than they had been thirty years ago. The Committee stated the result of their inquiries, but did not attempt to give any reason for the decline. I have studied this subject for many years, and I believe that I know the reason. A little story appeared in the Times a few days ago which goes far to explain it. An employer was brought before a Magistrate for keeping a lad of seventeen at work beyond the legal hours for young persons. He said the lad had represented himself to be eighteen years of age. The lad owned' that be had done so, and said he could not get work anywhere if he said he was only seventeen, and was, therefore, not entitled to work overtime when required. Now women are all their lives subject to the disadvantage of which the lad complained. Thirty years ago this paternal legislation commenced. At first the restrictions imposed were few, and wages only fell a little ; but Parliament by Parliament the restrictions have increased and the wages decreased. In the case of the bleaching trade, the women have been abso- lutely turned out of the trade by being unable to work over- time, and the same is true of other trades. Now, what does a woman do when she is turned out of a trade ? Why, she turns to another and offers to work cheaper than the women employed. She does this because she must do it. The fault is not hers, but that of the paternal Government which turns her out of her own trade. If it is desired to raise women's wages, put an end to all restrictions on the work of grown-up women. Leave them free to do the beat they can for them- selves. I could tell sad stories of girls of twenty praying not to be interfered with, of old women of sixty looking forward to the workhouse, but space will not allow.—I am, Sir, &c.,
E. JESSIE BOITCHERETT.
[We can publish no more lettere on this subject.—En, Spectator.]
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