EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23942, 8 May 1943, Page 4

EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN

REMEDIAL STEPS POSSIBLE MINISTERIAL REPLIES TO BOARD’S RESOLUTIONS Questions raised recently by the Christchurch Technical College Board of Managers about the school-leaving age and child employment problems are receiving careful attention, ing to a reply received by the , b °® rcl last evening from the Minister of Education (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason). Mr Mason said he hoped it would be possible in the not too distant future to take steps to remedy the position causing the board concern. . Mr Mason’s reply was one of six before the board, the others being from the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) through Mr J. Thorn, M.P., from the Minister of Labour (the Hon. P. C. Webb), the Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan), the Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. S. G. Holland), Mr C, Morgan Williams, M.P., and from Dr. C. E. Beeby (Director of Education). Assurances that the board's renresentations would receive the Government’s consideration were given by Mr Thorn and Mr Webb.

Expressing agreement tfyat the employment of a large number of young persons (under 16 years of age) was a matter for concern, Mr Sullivan said that he himself was concerned at the numbers drawn into industry in the last few years through the higher wages offered and the shortage of adult labour. He said that he would write to the board again after discussing the matter with Mr Webb.

In his letter, Mr Holland said that he agreed in the main with the board's resolutions and would support such action as might be taken to put them into effect. He would, however, require more particulars on the resolutions (1) urging the elimination of legislative loopholes permitting children to leave school under 14 and enter employment, and (2) recommending payment of maintenance allowances where necessary to enable parents to keep children at school till the proper leaving age.

Mr Holland said that another resolution (suggesting full responsibility for youth centres in guiding and placing those under 21) appeared to take from parents the responsibility and right of choosing careers for their children. It appeared, he said, that the function of youth centres would be limited to offering advice to parents and minors. Mr Williams stated in his letter to the board that there would be no doubt that training of some kind should be given to all children up to 16 or 18, but there were many children on whom academic education beyond the most elementary stage was wasted.

An assurance that the Education Department was working on possible solutions to the problems was given by Dr. Beeby, who said he hoped it would be possible to effect some improvement.