SEASONAL WORK

Evening Star, Issue 25926, 18 October 1946, Page 4

SEASONAL WORK

EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN EDUCATION BOARD RESOLUTION Discretionary power to head teachers of country schools to allow older children leave of absence to assist with seasonal operations on farms and in orchards, from the beginning of December until the end of the school year, was granted by the Otago Education Board at its meeting yesterday. It was decided that leave should not be granted to children under 12 years of age, and that the powers would not be extended to head teachers of town schools. As a war-time measure, a resolution S;d in 1941 extended the powers to teachers of town schools, and made allowance for leave for children under 11 years of age. Mr R. W. Maxwell, senior inspector, said that last year he had been faced with an absurd position. A largo factory in Dunedin would not employ two girls because he could not grant them exemption from attendance at school during the holidays. Mr Maxwell said that the 6ame trouble would arise in the future. “ The Labour Department is not prepared to encourage child labour during the school vacation,” concluded Mr Maxwell, “ but I tliink children could be working in the fresh air.” In some cases they could be a great help to parents who owned farms and orchards.