Child Workers In Factories

Dominion, Volume 39, Issue 28, 27 October 1945, Page 6

Child Workers In Factories

Sir, —-At a meeting of the Dominion Council of the New Zealand Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs held at Palmerston North last weekend, at which delegates were present from all over New Zealand, the question arose of the issue of permits to enable children to leave school under the school leaving age and the granting of permits for children to work in factories under the ago of 16, and a resolution was passed urging the Ministers of Education and Labour to take steps to abolish this practice. 'Hie Wellington Business and Professional Women's Club took this matter mi two years ago witli the Ministers concerned and received an assurauce that there would be no disposition to provide unduly for these permits, but it now appears that, lite practice has continued to an undesirable degree, as many actual eases were quoted by delegates. We feel very strongly that working long hours in factories, sitting over a bench or machine, is deleterious to tue health and physical development of children, will) far-reaeliinng effects on their health in later life, and that nailer no circumstances should under-age workers lie permitted in any factory.— I am. etc., JEAN SEWELL. Hon. Secretary. Wellington Business and Professional Women's Chib. Wellington. October 21.