CHILDREN EXPLOITED

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 21 February 1935, Page 6

CHILDREN EXPLOITED

COMPLAINT TO BOARD

PARENTS TO BE INTERVIEWED

A. case of children rising at 3.30 a.m., milking cows and then walking three miles to school was reported to the Wanganui Education Board on Wednesday.

The chairman (Mr E. F. Hemingway), who made a tour of inspection of schools in the southern end of the hoard’s district, referred to the matter in liis report. Needless to say, the attendance of these children is not good and when they do arrive at school they are too tired to do their lessons and their school hours are practically wasted.” lie stated. “We suggested that the teacher and the committee interview the parents concerned to see if some improvements in the home conditions could not be effected. If such interview does not have the desired effect, I think the hoard should take steps to see that the parents are called to account for the exploitation of the children. I am given to understand that if they will assist a local settler, he will make a track for the children which will enable them to cut off a goodlv portion of the three miles walk.'”

Mr J. Iv. Hornblow stressed the seriousness of the matters and urged that the hoard take some action. The chairman: We have taken action. This sort of thing cannot go on.