ABSTRACT
WOMEN'S CO-OPERATIVE GUILD; The Women's Co-operative Guild, in their Thirteenth ~nnual Report, state that their numerical strength ha.s. mcreased this year by the addition of thirty-three new branches and over 1,000 new members, making their present force to consist of 200 branches and 9,093 n;tembers. They publish also a "Report of Investiga.- tIons into the Conditions of Women's Work," but this ~ittle pamphlet, though it contains some information of mterest, is based on very meagre statistics. Three hundred and thirty-one cases in (as far'as can be made
out) 100 different trades, in unmentioned parts of England, were investigated; but it is evident that information gathered from this number cannot represent" the conditions of women's work" throughout England. The investigation has confirmed the "former firm conviction" of the Guild that "an alteration of the law in the following particulars is essential :-(1) Reduction of hours in non-textile trades
. to the textile limit. (2) Further restriction and ultimate abolition of over-time. (3) The amendment of the Factory Act as regards laundries. (4) The replacement of home-work by work carried on in factories under regulation and inspection." But it may be doubted if those who read without a "former firm conviction" will find here data to induce them to form a similiar opinion -or indeed to form any o'pinion at all. There is no question that such an enqUIry as has been made has its value, for all information gathered at :first hand is useful, but it is not enough to base conclusions on in itself. The opinion expressed that the appointment of more women as factory and sanitary inspectors is desirable is one that may be. cordially echoed, bu~ it is regrettable to find the bIas of the Women's Co-operative Guild so decidedly on the side of restrictions on women's work.
