ENFORCEMENT OF THE TRUCK ACT IN SHETLAND.
[TO THY EDITOR OF THU " SPZOFILT01.1
SIR,—I hope it may interest some of your readers to know that once more the Truck Act is being enforced in Shetland,— in earnest, not to be allowed to lapse as formerly. Through the foolishness of the women, as yet they have received only groceries and drapery for all their beautiful knitting. Cash payment is an almost unknown luxury. If a woman asked for cash at a shop she got it, but no more work from her was accepted. Many visitors to Shetland are so sorry for those most industrious women that they try to sell privately for them. That can only be for the few, and the women are so many ! Energetic men drift South, and also so many are lost at sea. Opportunity has come at last to the women. Suddenly, in June, prosecutions began for the enforcement of the Truck Act. For the moment the whole trade is paralysed, and there are bad times ahead for the poor women, for they refuse the scanty pittance now offered them in cash. But Shetland hosiery is too valuable to suffer eventually. I am told it is more and more in demand. Now is the time for experienced buyers for cash to go to Shetland to buy from the women at low figures. (Experience is necessary ; there is so much to learn.) Women never do combine, nor can they in Shetland, so widely apart. Dangers already loom ahead. Agitation is proposed for the repeal for Shetland of the Truck Act (vide Shetland Times, June 27th) under plea of exceptional circum- stances, as provided for in the Act. This would perpetuate the slavery under which the industry has groaned. Wide understanding of what barter means to the women is desirable. A woman may spend a day "travelling "—i.e., walking to a shop with her knitting—returning next day with the produce, possibly tea, &c., to barter with a farmer before she obtains her necessary meal and potatoes. At what cost does she live P Years ago a crofter said to me : "Mother and I have few wants ; just one, that is cash. I want shoes. The man does not want tea from me; what am I to do ? "—Invoking your powerful aid, I am, Sir, &c.,
AN OLD SCOTSWOMAN.
Previous page
