Blaze e-catalogue - Catalog - Page 106
Belle
Golding
Right
Letter from Belle Golding to the NSW Premier
Mr Holman regarding the work of inspectors,
21 July 1913
In July 1913, Golding wrote to Premier Holman
about the long hours worked by inspectors with
dual responsibilities under the Early Closing Act,
1899 and Industrial Arbitration Act, 1901.
NRS 12060 [9/4781] letter B18/251
1864-1940
Regulator of workers’
conditions
In her 27 year career with the NSW Department
of Labour and Industry, Belle Golding was
instrumental in regulating the conditions
of workers.
The NSW Early Closing Act, 1899 was introduced
to regulate the hours of employment in shops.
Thousands of women—many aged under
18 years—worked in restaurants and tea-rooms,
often starting at 6am and working up to 16 hours
a day, six days a week. They were under constant
threat of ‘the sack’. In 1900, Golding was appointed
the first woman inspector under the Act. In 1913,
her responsibilities extended to administering
regulations under the NSW Factories and Shops
Act, 1896 and the NSW Industrial Arbitration
Act, 1901.
Outside of her employment, Belle—with sisters
Annie and Kate—was a founding member
of the Women’s Progressive Association,
and participated in deputations that eventually
led to the introduction of the Women’s Legal
Status Act, 1918. She was Vice-President of the
Public Service Association of NSW women’s branch
(1915–1917), fighting (unsuccessfully) for equal
pay and work conditions for women. Belle Golding
retired in 1927.
“The pioneer work … devolved
very largely on the shoulders
of this lady, and in those days
an inspector wearing petticoats
was so obnoxious to many
tradesmen that they took
very ungentlemanly methods
of showing their displeasure.”
Above left
Belle Golding
Suffrage Group (detail)
Australian Worker, 10 May 1917, p. 3
Freeman and Co, 1902, SLNSW, ON 219/96
regulation, information & finance
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