Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, AUGUST 23rd., 1930. CHILDREN’S WELFARE

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 August 1930, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, AUGUST 23rd., 1930. CHILDREN’S WELFARE

’J'HE whole Empire will express congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of York, and will extend a welcome to their new daughter, if accompanying these felicitations will be general regret that the newcomer was not a boy. It seems to be taken for granted now that the Prince of Wales will remain a bachelor, and thus in the ordinary course of events, the Duke of York’s child will succeed to the Throne. Even in these days of feminism and women’s triumphs, Kings are preferable to Queens, and had the newest arrival been a son, many future difficulties may have been minimised if not avoided. It is to be hoped that the new daughter will not be made the subject of so many journalistic inanities as focus on Princess Elizabeth, much to her parents’ annoyance. The thoughts of New Zealand, today, however should not be concentrated, where the child is concerned, on the infant at Glamis Castle, who starts life under roseate 'colours, and should certainly avoid the economic ills that threaten those in lowlier stations of life. This country is justifiably proud of its high standards regarding children’s welfare, it being doubtful if in the whole world there is a nation which strives more to give its youngsters a- fair deal, and every assistance to equip them for the struggles of adult life, awaiting them. Every now and then, however, this pardonable national pride receives a jolt, by the disclosure of hardships endured by children. Such an instance was forthcoming this week, when, at a meeting of the Wellington Education Board, it was stated that boys were up as early as 2 o’clock in the morning to go on milk rounds, and, in consequence, had been found asleep at their desks in school. It was further affirmed that the practice existed in many places in New Zealand. and was not peculiar to Wellington. If this indictment is true, it is lime such a thing was made impossible. Dairying districts have been known to have their' childslaves, and there are few teachers in such rural areas, who could not unfold first-hand experiences of tired-out youngsters trying to do their school-lessons, after hours of heavy work. It is not always the parents or guardians’ fault, that the children have such toil thrust on them, as often, it is necessary for all the family lo work their hardest in order to keep things going.

Hut should a tuition boasting high ideals be apathetic, or merely sympathetic in such a matter. The Arbitration Court and Labour InI spoctors get busy to protect ablebodied men and women from being ‘‘sweated.’’ or being subjected to lanything approaching industrial slavery. Could not similar protection be guaranteed to growing boys and girls without much difficulty? The Child Welfare Department should bi 1 given greater powers, it necessary, to safeguard all juveniles in town or country, and the law could be made more rigorous regarding the employment of school-

children before and after school. No youngster can do itself justice at lessons, if the little body is exhausted. Were the Wellington instances quoted above isolated examples, matters would not be so bad, but. they are obviously too typical. Social reformers can work up agitation over condemned and other criminals, or for wrongs of a. minor nature, but is there any active organisation to prevent unwarranted child-labour ? If not, whv not ?

AUSTRALIA’S TRIUMPH JJEARTY congratulations will be forthcoming to the Australian cricketers on winning the “ashes,” their victory being as conclusive as it was well deserved. The triumph will be none the less welcome to Australia, for being unexpected when the visitors left for Britain. Chief honours rest with Bradman, whose phenomenal batting made all the difference. His form, this season, warrants the superlatives that have been showered upon his prowess, although it is yet premature to acclaim him as the greatest batsman in history. If he continues as he has started, he will justify recent encomiums and already he has ’won practically every individual record possible. A prodigy indeed, and Australia has good reason to be proud of him. The other members o£ the Australian team have for the most part done good work, but nothing exceptional. Woodfull and Ponsford, Grimmett and Oldfield in their respective departments, maintained their reputations. McCabe also did well. Britain found Bradman too much of a handicap against them, and apart from the difficulty of getting him out early, the English bowlers disappointed Homeland hopes. The batting was usually up to standard, but from the second test inclusive, there has never been much doubt that the Australians were the superior. The British selectors may be made targets for criticism but they did their work well, giving likely men, young and old, a chance to prove their merits. It is Australia’s turn to chuckle, and no English sportsman will begrudge the “ashes” going to Aus-

tralia. Between now and the next attempt of Britain to regain them, there will be opportunities for the Homeland to unearth fresh talent. Bowlers are its chief requirement.