BOY LABOUR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 16 June 1920, Page 3

BOY LABOUR

) kSTAIITLINg’TiGUIIES The subject of the employment of school boys on milk runs was prominently brought home before the meeting of the Otago Educa--1 tion Board last Thursday, (states I the Dunedin Star), a tabulated report being presented by the l board's truant officer (Mr J. E. ' Ryan), whose figures revealed numerous cases of school boys who worked for a mere pittance from long before daylight till a) most school time. Fifty cases were quoted in the report. Some of the worst were .as follow ; j Age,-’ll years 9 months, Standard 111. Works for a . dairyman from 3 a.m. till 8.15 a.in. Wages Gs 'per week. Age, 12 years G months, Standard 111. Works for his father from 3 a.m. till 8.30 aim. Age, 13 years G ‘months, Standard IV. Works for his father front 3 a.m. till 8.30 a.m. 8 Age, 10 years, Standard 11. Works for a dairyman from 5.3() a.m. till 8.15 a.m. Wages, 6s per week. Age, 10 years G months, Standard HI. Works from 5.30 a.m. t’ll 8.30 a.m. for a dairy in an. j "Wages, os per Aveek. Age. 9 years 10 months, Standard ' 11. Work from 4 a.m. till I 8.13 a.m. for a dairyman. Wages,! £s per week.. Age, 11 years 9 months. Standard 11. 'Works from 5 a.m. til 8.45 a.m. for a dairyman. Wages 4s and milk. Age, 13 yqars G months. Standard IV. Works for dairy company from 3.45 a.m. till 9 a.m. Wages, 12s per Aveek. Age. 11 years 8 months, Standard 11. Works from 6 a.m. till 9.30 a.m. for his father. The Chairman asked the Truant Inspector if these boys were men tally normal. iVir Ryan; Yes,, 95 per cent, of them, I suppose. i The Chairman asked if their work was the cause of their being below their standards at school. Mr Ryan said avus. Teacher; would tell them tlic same. The Chairman said the boys probably had to Avork seven days a week, too. Mr Ryan: Ves. The Laboiu Department had asked him to supply this report, and he avhs subnutting this copy for the board’s approA'al. He thought, liOAvever. that the inspectors of the Labour Department Avould be better able then he Avas .to get details of such cases. Mr Smith moved that the report ' be approved and forwarded to the j Labour Department, also a copy to the Education Department for its information, the board being of opinion that power of itn’estiga--1 ion lay more with the Labour Department than with the Education Board. I The, motion was carried.