SWEATED BOY LABOUR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1209, 18 August 1911, Page 3

SWEATED BOY LABOUR.

Sir,—At a political meeting held in Masterton last Saturday, a question which I consider was of grave importance, and which I hope may come under the notice of the Trades and Labour t.'nions, was asked Mr. Massey. Tl\o question in full was as under:—"Are you in favour of the Government assisting cheap boy labour from the Homo Country? The following clipping which I would like you to read to the audience at this meeting to-night and comment on afterwards was taken from the Masterton Wairarapa 'Age,' dated August 1, 1911:— Extract from Wairarapa "Age." " 'A .correspondent writes to the New Plymouth "News" of a wise that has come under his notice, which he characterises as the most shocking he lias been acquainted with. A recently-arrived emigrant was engaged by a farmer not very many miles from New Plymouth, to do farm work. His "bed" for the niglit was in the corner of a stable, and his bedcovering a cover that had just been taken off a horse's back. His food might easily have been mistaken for pig's food. Three days ho stood this, but the work lie was compelled to do and the food and tho accommodation he was provided with then told on him, and he had to return to town for medical attendance, and is now in a .critical state of health. The remuneration for his services was to hove bsen 15s. per week. The correspondent suggests that labour agents should be made acquainted with cases ot this kind, and that they should warn applicants for work. of. tho conditions to be expected on certain farms.'" Mr. Massey's reply to tho question was as follows: Ho had never come across a case as bad as this, and the young fellow was foolish to stop three hours in such employ. He favoured boy immigrants'if they were all like the first .shipment, but dijd' not favour immigrants who were iinely to become a burden on the Dominion. I can quite believe that such cases have not come under his personal observation, but I am sorry to say tliero are many more equally as had that have not come to light.—l am, etc., A WORKER.