THE INDUSTRIAL LAW COMMITTEE.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The Industrial Law Committee has just issued its re- port, and I desire to commend it to your readers. The Committee has steadily laboured at teaching social workers and workpeople about the protections which the law affords them, and which are so often neglected or ignored. " Many employers do voluntarily everything in their power to im- prove the position of their workers ; on the other hand there are employers who, indifferent to their obligations, ignore alike the requirements of safety and of decency." I quote from the Report.
Increasing responsibility and increasing claims for help are surely proofs of increasing usefulness. The Industrial Law Committee gave more lectures last year than ever before, and they have reported a very large number of com- plaints of breaches of the law. They have also indemnified, from the fund which they administer for that purpose, a great many cases of women and young persons dismissed from their employment for speaking the truth in answer to inspectors. Some of the details of these cases are deeply interesting, though painful, reading. I should also like to draw attention to the Committee's report that in their ex- perience social workers are interesting themselves to a far greater degree than formerly in industrial questions. This is significant of a great advance. The vast network of in- dustrial safeguards and precautions devised by the State must fail of their full effect if voluntary workers do not step in and give their help. But to secure this help organization is necessary, and organization costa money. May I plead for an increased financial support of the Industrial Law Com- mittee to meet its ever-widening duties and opportunities P
Without such assistance much of the work must be aban• domed and fresh openings neglected. The report can be obtained from the Secretary, Miss Cox, Industrial Law Committee, 34 Mecklenburgh Square, W.C., who will also receive subscriptions.—I am, Sir, &c., 16 Great College Street, Westminster. EDITH LYTTELTON.
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