WORK OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 24, 23 October 1936, Page 8

WORK OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS

Auckland Board Discusses Question

Dominion Special Service. Auckland, October 22

•Reference to the employment of school children outside school hours was made at a meeting of the Seddon Memorial Technical College board of managers when Miss A. H. Bnsten inquired how the position at Auckland compared with that reported from Palmerston Norfh. Acting on behalf of the principal, Mr. W. E. Burley said he had known of cases where boys employed before school had shown signs of fatigue during school hours so that to some extent the position complained of did obtain at Auckland. Where work of this nature was observed to interfere with the studies of pupils the teacher reported the matter to the principal who then approached the parents. In the case of pupils who appear to be able to withstand working before or after school the matter was left alone. Mr. R. A. Rew maintained that it was a matter for the industrial authorities to see that children were employed during proper hours. The chairman, Miss Carnachan. said that it. would be encroaching on the liberty of parents whose duty it .was to care for their children if any direction were given in the matter.

' Another member pointed out that nine out. of 10 working children were proud of their bank-books.

A “Dominion” Special Service message from Palmerston North, published yesterday. stated that the rector of the Palmerston North Boys’ High School, Mr. J. Murray, had reported that there were 78 pupils of the school engaged in employment outside school hours, 42 in dairying, 20 on paper runs, and .16 in other duties. Mr. Murray stated it was certain some of the boys were doing more than a 40-hour week. On one instance a boy showed signs of fatigue. At the Technical School the director. Mr. G. Hancox, stated that one boy started work at 3 a.m., and then went to school. Members of the board of governors are of the opinion that it is undesirable to have school pupils working long periods outside school hours, and it is considered by them that parents of children so situated should be invited to discuss the matter with .the school principals.