CHILD LABOUR IN THE DAIRY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 71, 23 March 1908, Page 5

CHILD LABOUR IN THE DAIRY.

Inspector Hill, in his annual report to the Hawke's Bay Education Board, says: —"I desire to direct attention to the milking industry as carried on in certain districts. There are occasions when it is one's duty to speak on behalf of those who are unable to speak for themselves. No one acquainted with the struggles and hardships of the small settlers would willingly hurt their prospects or hinder them in the production of a single gallon of milk, but if the milking industry cannot be carried on without using and abusing child labour, the case calls for enquiry. The following is. an example among others that might be cited. A family of six children, three boys and three girls, were attending a certain school in March last. Their ages were: Girls— 13, 11, and 0 respectively; boys — 12 years, 10, and 7. And the daily milking task was ten cows each, morning and evening, except in the case of the youngest boy, who fetched in the cows, but did no milking. The, .eldest girl was in standard IV., and the oldest boy in standard II- Milking began in the moming at a quarter to six and : finished at eight. Preparations then began' for breakfast and school, and this round of work went on during the spring and summer months. These children had to at-, tend school for five hours daily, and it is not difficult to realise that their progress was slow. Information received from teachers satisfies mc that a number of children are being overworked, and attention is drawn-to the matter in the hope that the board will be able to lessen the hardships of children in the direction indicated."