532 PROCEEDIKGS OF SECTION G^. 



2.— COMPAEATIVE LEGISLATION EELATIJS'Ci TO THE INDUSTRIAL 



CLASSES. 

 By JOHN B. TSIVETT, F.R.A.S., F.S..S., Govcniment Stafisifician nf Nev: South Wales. 



A retrospect of the course of legislation in civilised countries 

 during the last fifty years affords an almost limitless field for reflec- 

 tion as to the multitudinous influences which dominate the nations in 

 their actions respecting the welfare of tlie people. 



When we regard the current work of the Parliaments, we are apt 

 to lose sight of the sustained controlling spirit which the perspective 

 of long years of legislative histoiy clearly sliows, and which in the 

 event unfailingly asserts itself. 



After witnessing in England the stirring events of the periods of 

 the Chartists, of the Corn laws, of the Factory and Trade Union 

 Emancipation ; or, on the Continent, the tierce struggles for liberty 

 and liberalism which foimd their vent in the i-evolutionaiy outbrealcs 

 ■which upset djmasties, Avho would have dreamed of the possibility 

 within fifty or sixty years of the realisation of practically all that was 

 demanded in those unhappy times ? 



Taking the history of England, whether we view the development 

 as the work of Whigs or of Tories, of Conservatives or of Liberals, of 

 the New Unionist Party or of the Ultra Radical, it will be evident that 

 with the proce.ssion of the years the degree of progi'ess has not been 

 marked to any material extent by the name of the party in power at 

 any given time. Rather it may be measured by the extent of the 

 awakening of the popular mind as to the ideals which should control 

 legislation ; and, in fine, the advance of legislation at any stage may 

 be regarded as indicative of the growth of the national mind in the 

 humanities. 



The same statement may be made with equal force in considering 

 the legislative enactments of ail other civilised nations. 



I propose to take a brief review of the course of legislation in 

 New South Wales during the last twenty vears, in oider to ascertain 

 the trend of our laws ; and with more especial reference to the indus- 

 trial classes, who fonii the great bulk of the population, and who may, 

 therefore, be expected to exercise a very distinct influence in moulding 

 national sentiment. 



In order to obtain an enlightened view of the application of the 

 industrial legislation, I have analysed the list of enactments, and 

 subdivided the subjects treated under different headings, correspond- 

 ing to the several stages of life ; and thus have obtained the means of 

 observing in what respects, and to what extent, the interests of the 

 people have been fostered with regard to each period. 



The stages of life resolve themselves as follows : — 



I. Infancy. 

 II. Youth. 



III. Manhood Specifically — Agriculture. 



IV. ,, ., ^ Pastoral. 

 V. „ ,, Mining. 



VI. „ ,, Shipping._ 



VII. ,, ,, Shopkeepinc:. 



