CHILD LABOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8, 9 January 1917, Page 7

CHILD LABOUR.

TRUANT OFFICER'S EXPERIENCE. The Truant Officer (Mr. Small) occasionally comes across case 3of hardship to children in the country districts, where, tlie parents are milking cows. One instance reported recently is that of a boy of 11 years lives two and a-quarter miles from the school, who seldom got there before 10 a.m., although it starts at 8.40. Inquiry elicited the information that the lad gets up at 5 a.m., then milks six cows, has his breakfast, and delivers milk to houses one and a-half miles distant. After school he has other work to do, reaches home at C.30, has his tea, and then goes to bed. Naturally under such circumstances the boy has not a fair chance to get a proper education.

In another case two sisters, who are not attending school regularly, have to assist in milking 16 cows morning and night. Both arc described as bright, children, who do not, under the circumstances, make the progress they should at school. These children live two and a-half miles from the school. The mother is unable to assist owing to infirmitj', and her nearest neighbours are Maoris, who live one and a-half miles away. Tho nearest white neighbour resides a distance of two and a-half miles from their house. One letter from a teacher states that a farmer withdraws his four children from school at 12.30 p.m., in order to work. The teacher complains that •'money-getting is really at the bottom of all this detention from school of the children, as the father is not trying to get a man, although he could well afford to keep one." Some of the notes on cases reported speak for themselves. Here are samples: "The girl is made to work hard at home. This is simply a case of child labour. They do not think they are bound to obey the Act." "This is a case of a clever child wasting her time to oblige greedy relatives. The little girl, aged six years, is always being kep» at home to help a strong young mother, who is always out."