CHILD LABOR.

Evening Star, Issue 10400, 23 August 1897, Page 2

CHILD LABOR.

TO THB BDITOB. • 1 Sir,— “ Comic piper, sir ?” I heard this said in plaintive tones 'the otherlrbsty night, between ten and eleven o’clock. It was from under'a' rather gloomy, verandah that the voice came, and one had to look closely to spy. the speaker.. On my:mateand I halting, however, there emerged into.the lamplight-a wee, poorly-clad bairn, with, a bundle of papers under his arm, . who, .with a wistful look, offered a specimen of his literary (?) ware. The little chap should have been in blanket bay: hours, since, .foe his years could not have been more .than seven or so, ■_ and something was . wrong in his particular State of Denmark, else such a child would not, have been abroad at so untimely an hour (for him). Whether or not those answerable for this kind of thing —though it is hoped there is not much.of it in Dunedin—are sinning against the strict letter of the law, I know not. Sure am I, anyhow, it needs no lawyer to say that the spirit thereof is thus violated. At anyrate, ono can but hope that those who have the power to help in such an act of. humanity may see to it that this or any other sort of child labor : is not. driven, to extremes here, but nipped in the bud. And-so, hoping you will, as a small means to.such an end, insert the foregoing,—l am, etc. j,. J A.D.P. Dunedin, August 23.