EMPLOYMENT IN INDUSTRY

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22656, 10 March 1939, Page 10

EMPLOYMENT IN INDUSTRY

UNDER-AGE WORKERS IN FACTORIES SURVEY TO BE MADE A decision to initiate a survey to ascertain the number of boys and girls entering industry at different age groups was made yesterday by the Christchurch Boys’ Employment Committee. This decision followed a discussion at a meeting of the committee of statements made at a meeting last week of the Board of Governors of the Christchurch Technical College, when concern was expressed at the number of permits being issued by the Labour Department for under-age workers in factories. The discussion yesterday was taken in committee, and only the decision of the meeting was communicated to “The Press.” Before the meeting went into committee, reference was made by Mr A. M. Hollander to the discussion by the Board' of Governors of the Christchurch Technical College. He claimed that an innuendo had been directed at manufacturers, and details on which allegations were made should be given to manufacturers before such statements were made public. Dr. D. E. Hansen, principal of the college, said he thought the feeling of the board was that parents were a great deal to blame. Dr. H. E. Field, who presided, said it seemed that systematic fact finding was. essential before the committee could qxpress any opinion. Probably the manufacturers would be equally glad to know the facts, bqt a comprehensive survey of the position did not exist at present. If the committee had the full facts it would then be able to take some action.