WORK IN THE EARLY HOURS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 22 March 1928, Page 9

WORK IN THE EARLY HOURS

CHILDREN IN DAIRYING DISTRICT. SCHOOL INSPECTOR’S REPORT. ■ rBY TELEGRAPH-PRESS ASSOCIATION. ) DUNEDIN, March 22“Many of the older pupils .seem to he too tired or too sleepy to give concentrated attention. It would seem that, the school is the place where the\ come' to rest.” Thus reported the senior .school inspector Mir Stuckey, on a. school in a dairying district. The inspector added that he was unable to attribute the unresponsive attitude of the children either to unintelligence' or lack of instruction. From inquiry it transpired that most of the senior pu--fils worked, before school from 3.30 to 7 or 8 o’oYrck. In subsequent discussion at the Education Board meeting it was stated that it seemed monstrous that while the Factories Act in town prevented the enrploymnt of children under 14. parents in the country could make •laves' of their own children. Economic forces admittedly had something to do with it. hut in cases like this the State should intervene. It was resolved to forward a report to the deoartment, asking for legislation forbidding the employment of children before a certain hour.