JUVENILE LABOUR IN FACTORIES

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23940, 6 May 1943, Page 4

JUVENILE LABOUR IN FACTORIES

EMPLOYMENT OF GIRL AT AGE OF 13 (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 5. The statement in the Supreme Court at Wellington yesterday by a girl witness under 16 that she had been employed in a soft goods factory for three years was referred to-day to the head office of the Labour Department, Wellington. The witness, when asked by Mr Justice Smith whether she was employed under any special permission, said that she had “just got a job there.” The department said that the employment of boys and girls under 16 is governed by the Factories Act, 1921-22. Section 21 lays it down that no boy or girl under that age shall be employed in any factory unless the employer holds a certificate of fitness of the boy or girl from an inspector of factories. Such certificates may not be granted unless the inspector is satisfied that the age is correctly specified, that the boy or girl is fit for the employment, and that the boy or girl has passed the fourth Standard examination or some equivalent. Certificates must be returned to the inspector when the employment ceases in the factory for which it was issued, but they may be reissued for the future employment of the boy or girl. A register of such certificates must be kept by the issuing inspector. It is expected that an inquiry into the incident will follow.