ABSTRACT
Early in last session, the Factories and Workshops Law Consolidation Bill, was introduced into the House of Commons by a member of the Government. On examination it was found that, while professing to be merely a "Consolidation" Bil~ it really sought still further to restrict the labour of women in Factories and Workshops. The first action taken by the Committee,. was to memorialize the Home Secretary upon the subject. They were then fortunate enough to secure the valuable services of' Miss H. P. Downing, (herself a member of the Committee) who undertook to visit some of the large manufacturing towns, and explain to the female operatives the cruel and oppressive nature of the restriction proposed by the Bill. Miss Downing visited Birmingham, Leicester and Nottingham, and found everywhere, strong opposition to the measure. At the end of July the Bill was withdrawn. It is feared however, it will be re-introduced next session. In the" Section of Social Economy" of the late Geneva Congress, it was unanimously resolved, "that the Section considered that no industrial employment should be closed to womE'n which may enable them by their own labour to protect themselves from want and prostitution," and it was further resolved, with only two dissentients, "that Government ought not to interfere to protect the labour of women in factories." The opinion thus expressed by a body of so widely representative a character is extremely valuable, and will encourage members of the Association during the coming year heartily to assist in the work of public meetings, memorials and pet.itions.
