CHILD LABOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19778, 27 October 1927, Page 14

CHILD LABOUR.

SLr, —Your correspondent "R.A.H. has cited some appalling cases of childslavery on dairy farms, and it is quite right that such cases should be exposed; but, in my opinion, his suggestion that an Act is required to "prevent children under the age of 15 or 16 years being employed in milking sheds lr ..any capacity whatever" is utterly ridiculous. What, does'he imaging our normally healthy boys and girls would do \with their energy from, say, 10 or 11 years to 15 or 16? Surelv he has a poor opinion of the strength and inclinations of our young country lads and lasses, if be believes them to he unfit to do a portion of the dairy work until they are 15. It is cer~ tain that the energy of young people will find a vent some way, and if not in something useful, then it may possibly be in something undesirable. No right-minded person wishes to see children, especially little ones such as described by "R.A.H. "swotted" in milking sheds, but as for those approaching within a few years of 15 or 16, let them by all means be employed in the sheds where their help is needed, or they will grow up a lazy, selfish and undisciplined generation. Another Farmer's Wife-

Sir,—l have a big family and am interested in the letters on this subject. The average dairy farmer loves his kiddies just as much as the next man, but we are very much against the idea of keeping the boys away from the cowshed until they are 15 or 16 years of age. Just fancy boys that age sitting on the stock yard rails watching dad anj| mum milking cows. If the whole subject is sifted to the bottom it will be found that the cause does not start on the farm in most cases. One of the disabilities of the farm is the mud. It is not tfie milking that hurts the youngsters on most farms; it is dragging through the mud of man and beast, and washing and cleaning, especially where big mobs of cows come round to one centre. -I would make cement one of the cheapest things to buy, In the days to come when we get free trade and smaller farms there will be more people on the land, better drainage and less of one section of the community being sheltered and protected by tariffs and arbitration Court awards, at the expense of the farmer and his children. No section of the community has used co-operation to the extent the dairy farmers have in the production of the commodities they produce. Very soon, when the farmers learn to co-operate in other things to the same extent, life will be better for all in * town and country. * Waiukn. Jack Whitham.