THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11952, 29 April 1902, Page 6

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD SLAVERY REPUTED. [BY TEEEGKAI-H. —PRESS ASSOCIATION*.] New Plymouth, Monday. At a largely attended meeting of the Chamber of Commerce to-night, the question of alleged child slavery in connection with the dairy industry was discussed. Extracts were read from the report of the Education Board's inspector to the effect that dairying had displaced a greater evil in poverty with its sordid attendants. Before its establishment as a permanent industry children had to work as hard for less return. The small fanners had a sore struggle, the keenest efforts of the whole family scarcely providing the barest necessaries of life, and the children being required during the day were unable to attend school regularly. Now in winter little milking was done, but in summer time the children get up early, go early to bed, go to school more regularly, and greatly participated in the results of their labours. They are better clad, their homes are. larger and more comfortable, and their general condition has vastly improved. The following resolution was passed unanimously :--'• With respect to the article in the Evening Post headed 'Child Slavery in Tiuanaki,' this Chamber, from "its own knowledge and from the report of the inspector of schools, confidently asserts that the physical and mental status of the children has vastly improved since the establishment of the dairy industry in Taranaki, and can challenge comparison with the children of any other district of the colon}'."