302 REPORT— 1902. 



been accelerated, and the change of custom cannot be wholly ascribed to 

 the Acts ; in part, I am convinced it may be so. 



Has factory legislation raised or loxcered icages? 



So far as my evidence goes wages have sometimes fallen tem2)orariIy 

 and risen again, but there seems some doubt whether annual earnings have 

 been altered prrmanentJy or not. The opportunities for working over- 

 time being fewer seem to have diminished the earnings during the busiest 

 weeks, without having any effect on the normal rate. Manufacturers and 

 workers agree that there has been little change of wages for the ordinary 

 week over a series of years, though there is evideiace of a rise since 1883 ; 

 but the earnings per annum seem not to have been affected thereby at 

 all. The employers say earnings have been lessened through the reduction 

 of opportunities for working overtime, yet they say also that the industry 

 is more regular and the busy season is spread over a longer period. At 

 this rate tliere seems to have been a clear gain to the workers. What 

 has happened in the case of the men through the introduction of the 

 machine system seems to have happened to the women through the same 

 cause, and I am inclined to think that even the reduction of overtime is 

 more due to this than to the Factory Acts. The men used, as hand 

 workers, to be able to earn more during the busy season ; but though their 

 earnings in a full week are now somewhat less than at that time, the 

 annual earnings are greater. This remark would seem to apply to women, 

 with the difference that for a ' full week ' a 'week with overtime ' must 

 be substituted, the overtime being worked either at home or in the 

 factory. None of the women workers I have interviewed consider that 

 the Acts have affected wages at all They have not lowered or raised 

 them or prevented them from rising. They believe that with an efficient 

 trade-union their wages would rise considerably, and that they have not 

 risen lately because they have not been able to uniformly take advantage 

 of good times. 



All witnesses agree, and my own experience enables me to confirm, 

 that there has been no alteration in the character of the machinery due 

 to the Acts, none introduced from that cause, and no displacement of 

 women. (But see note as to Kingswood, p. iJOi.) 



The effects of the Acts on efficiency. 



Here, in my opinion, is where the Acts have affected women. There 

 is a consensus of opinion that women are better workers than formerly, 

 and that indoor workers do more than outworkers in a given time. It is 

 difficult to apportion the amount of increased efficiency due to the Factory 

 Acts, but there are three main reasons why their efficiency has increased. 

 These are : — 



Improved machinery and more regular work ; 



Better rooms to work in ; 



Less amateurism and more work done as a serious occupation. 



A comparison between the outdoor treadle-machinist and the indoor 

 power- machinist cannot be legitimately made, but a comparison of the 

 outdoor treadle without power with the indoor treadle-machinist shows 

 the latter to be the better worker. The present day treadle-machinist 

 working indoor is a better worker also than her predecessor. This shows 



