SOCIAL QUESTIONS OF TO-DAY. Edited by H. de B. GIBBINS, M.A. Crown 8vo., 2 s. 6 d. A series of volumes upon these topics of social, economic, and industrial interest that are at the present moment foremost in the public mind. Each volume is written by an author who is an acknowledged authority upon the subject with which he or she deals, and who treats the question in a thoroughly sympathetic but impartial manner, with special reference to the historic aspect of the subject. The following Volume

The writers of the present volume have a purely practical object in view. They have no desire to discuss, theoretically, the duties, rights, and responsibilities of women. They consider that it would be unwise to give prominence to considerations affecting the political or social position of women, in a work dealing specially with their industrial situation. On the other hand, they are fully aware that there is a necessary connection between the views which appear to be in course of formation as

General characteristics—Classification— Literature : Fiction—Journalism— Teaching : Recent changes—Day v. Resident Posts—High Schools—Advantages and Disadvantages—Hours and Salaries—Report of Committee of Enquiry—Fees—Elementary Schools—Table of Salaries—London School Board—Voluntary v. Secondary Schools—Domestic Economy—Demand for teachers—New openings—Higher teaching posts— Religion and Philanthropy : Increased employment of women—Women preachers— Law : Present position of affairs—Conveyancing

This chapter was written before the publication of the Blue Book on “The Employment of Women,” which contains detailed and valuable reports upon the work of shop assistants by Miss Orme and Miss Collet. As the evidence given above is fully confirmed by the Commissioners’ Reports, I have left the chapter as it stood, with the addition of a few foot-notes, as an independent contribution to the study of the question. Those who wish to pursue the matter further may do so profitably by reading the Re

Unions marked with an asterisk enrol both men and women. The numbers refer to women only. The Women employed in Bookbinding. —Secretary, Miss E. Whyte. 280. Shirt and Collar Makers’ Society. —Secretary, Mrs. Houlton. 50. Upholsteresses’ Society. —Secretary, Miss Mears. 35. Office for the above Societies, Club Union Buildings, Clerkenwell Road, E.C. Tailoresses’ Trade Union. —Westminster and Pimlico Branch. Secretary, Mrs. Cooper, 7, Carnaby Street, W. Tailoresses’ Auxiliary to the Amalgamated So

Centres of Textile Industry : Lancashire and Yorkshire—Changes in general conditions—Reforms not final— Extent of Combination : Mixed Unions—Equal wages paid to weavers in the cotton trade—Contrast between Lancashire and Yorkshire—Lower scale for women in Yorkshire—Fines— Supervision : Immorality— System of Fines : Deductions from wages— Sanitation : Defective arrangements—High temperature in cotton mills—Dangerous machinery— Labour of Married Women : Child labour—Reforms needed— Other Textile T

Machinery and Women’s Labour—Demand for Cheap Labour—The Sweating System—Basis of Men’s and Women’s Wages—Women’s Wages merely Supplementary—Women’s Wages in various Industries—Difference between Men’s and Women’s Wages artificially kept up—Policy of Men’s Unions. Machinery and Women’s Labour. —We have seen that in the textile trades men and women do the same kind of work, and are almost equally skilled. Where their labour is organised they can also in some districts command the same rate of pay

Economic Importance of Health—Causes of Ill-health— Textile Trades — Cotton : Steaming, Sizing, and Fluff—Children: Dr. Tarrop’s Report— Linen : Dr. Purdon’s Report—Deaths of Belfast Mill-workers—Mortality among Women— Shoddy , Silk , and Lace — Other Trades — Pottery Manufacture — White Lead : Examples of Injurious Effects—Effect on Offspring—Greater Susceptibility of Women—White Lead in other Manufactures— Lucifer Match Trade — Ventilation in Factories . § Economic Importance of Health. —The e

The Registrar-General’s Returns—Town versus Country—Selected Districts—Age-periods and Mortality—Causes of Death—Preston, Leicester, Blackburn—Relation of Married Women’s Labour to Infant Mortality—Dr. Tatham’s Evidence—Dr. Farr’s Tables—Recent Statistics—Deterioration of Survivors. The Registrar-General’s Returns. —It is obvious that the influence of occupation upon the health of married women cannot be adequately considered without some inquiry as to its effects upon the life and health of the