No. 265.
Mr. Bell
to Mr. Bayard.
The Hague, Sept. 1, 1886. (Received September 14.)
Sir: I have the honor to report that during a recent session of the Second Chamber, and just prior to its adjournment, the president of that body announced that he had received from Mr. Borgesias a motion, supported by ten other members of the Chamber, proposing a parliamentary inquiry into the labor system of the Netherlands. The object of this proposition is twofold:
- (1)
- To ascertain what measures should be adopted to prevent excessive long hours of work.
- (2)
- To ascertain what improvements are necessary in the construction and sanitary condition of the work-shops, factories, &c., in order to assure the health and well being of the work-people.
The proposal was referred to the appropriate committee of the Chamber, and will be discussed after the opening of the new parliamentary session at the end of the month of September.
During the same session Mr. Gildermester, a deputy from Amsterdam, addressed to the minister of the colonies an interpellation respecting the sugar industries in Java.
Mr. Gildermester demanded of the minister precise information relative to the measures he proposed to adopt to provide for the deplorable situation of the sugar industry of Java caused by the excessive fall in prices.
[Page 760]The minister of the colonies replied that he was waiting for further information from Java before submitting to the Chamber a scheme looking to the amelioration of the sugar industry of that island.
The minister further stated that the Government was entirely convinced that a catastrophe to the sugar industry in Java could only be averted by the prompt adoption of remedial measures by the Government.
I have, &c.,