CHILD "SLAVERY."

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 45, 16 November 1907, Page 3

CHILD "SLAVERY."

. Sir, —I have noted with groat interest your romarks concerning the question of "child slavery," and smiled at the comments of the Taranaki mombers. in the House of Representatives. From my position as a resident in Taranaki, arid on account of my duties, one cannot very well' do otherwise, livery educated man living in the midst of a dairying community will admit that the curso exists to a certain extent, but not in the caso of every farmer, and you will probably bo told that it only makes up a small percentage. Even granting this, the case is terrible enough. But, sir, the ill. does ltot exist only to a small extent. Its hold increases each year with the increases in land

.values and rentals, though in Taranaki many .children are treated as well, if not better than in other parts. But in one settlement here there are at least four families which are. overworked, and these within a district of a mile radius. The estimate, too, is a I lenient one. The majority of teachers in Taranaki will, if asked privately, substantiate. such a statement, but such a statement in public would be regarded as rank horcsy and treated as such. Only one cure remains—that is a restriction in the excessive value of land, for here a sale of land, miles from'a borough or railway, at £40 an aero is not at all unusual. —I am,'etc., "DOMINIE." Taranaki, November 12.