TRAINING.—In the binding room, i.e., where folding is done, there are no learners now, but they need to have one or two. These apprentices were taken on from fourteen years of age without premiums, and were kept two or three years according to ability. They were paid a few shillings to begin with, and, if good at their work, they rose gradually. If slow and stupid, they got nothing. The forewoman said she did not care to take learners now; "they are more trouble than they are worth."
In the litho room the firm never had apprentices. The new hands come in and begin "taking-off" for about 8s. By-and-by, according to their nimbleness, they are elevated to "layers-on."
In card mounting there is no training. It is picked up in a few months, and new hands start at about 8s. per week, time wages.
WAGES.—Binding Room.—The staff (12 girls) are all on time work, the extra hands are paid piece work. Time wages range from 12s. to 14s. I was shown last week's wages, and they ranged from 7s. to 15s., the forewoman having £1 2s. 6d.; 7s. to 8s. was the predominant figure. Job hands on piece "make as much as 15s. in a full week," I was informed, but the wage book that week showed they had only made about 7s. or 8s.
For overtime, time and a quarter is paid to all time workers, ordinary rates to piece workers.
Litho Work.—All wages in this department are time wages, and vary from 8s. to 12s. or 14s. In the wages book the predominant figure was 7s.; there were two 5s. and some 8s., and up to 12s. When bronzing the workers appeared to get 1s. extra.
Card Mounting.—All time wages paid here, and they were said to range from 8s. to 12s. In the wages book, however, 6s. and 7s. were the predominant figures. Some were as low as 5s., and there were a few girls who had drawn 8s.
NO. EMPLOYED.—There were about 200 employees, of whom one-third were women. The number fluctuated, I was told.
Litho Artists' Work.—8 or 9 men were employed on this, but no women on the premises. The firm often accepted sketches from lady artists living outside, some of whom could even work on stone.
Litho Machine Work.—Girls are employed feeding litho machines, and they have about 30 when busy. When I was there only about 12 were engaged. When bronzing by hand is wanted these girls are set to it (13 were doing it last week). In the same room is