DOES WORK AFTER SCHOOL CAUSE FATIGUE?

Northern Advocate, 24 October 1936, Page 7

DOES WORK AFTER SCHOOL CAUSE FATIGUE?

[Special t,o “Northern Advocate.”} AUCKLAND, This Day. Whether the employment of school children outside school hours was detrimental to their school work was discussed by the board of managers of the Seddon Memorial Technical College at the board meeting. Miss A. H. Basten inquired what the position was in Auckland. The chairman. Miss B. E. Carnachan, said that no one was more interested in the welfare of children than she; but she thought it was not within the scope of the board to interfere in cases where children were working outside of school hours. That was the function of the parents. Mr W. E. Burley, speaking on behalf of the principal, Mr G. J. Park, who was not present, said he had known of cases where boys employed before school had shown signs of fatigue during school hours. The form masters, however, were sufficiently interested in their pupils to notice cases of fatigue, and the cases were reported to Mr Park. If Mr Park thought it necessary, the matter was then referred to the parents. If no fatigue were noticed, then no action was taken. Mr R. A. Rew said that if working outside school hours caused fatigue it was a matter for legislation, or a breach of it. The board could not interfere. Miss Basten took a different view. She thought it was the business of the board, and particularly those members who were the representatives of the parents. “I do not agree that it is not within our scope,” she added. If there were no ill effect then she had no objection to children doing such work, tfo motion was put to the meeting.