MIXING WORK AND SCHOOL

Taranaki Daily News, 27 August 1930, Page 11

MIXING WORK AND SCHOOL

RETARDATION RESULTS MEDICAL OFFICERS’ OPINIONS. NEW LEGISLATION CONSIDERED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. . In reference to the discussion on child labour at a recent meeting of the Wellington Education- Board, the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, has outlined, the general administrative position. When school medical officers m the course of their duties came upon instances of excessive child labour, he said, it was customary to refer them for the .pecessary .action to the child welfare branch of the Education Department to be dealt with by the local child welfare officer.

Clause 1, section 29, of the Infants Act, 1903, regulates for children street trading and employment for the purpose of public entertainment. Section 13 of the Child’Welfare’Act' pfov ides',that- ! <Jif th®' coiliplairit' of ahji eohsthble'bf any child" welfare-dffibbr that a i child" is neglected, ' indigent, ' delinquent, not under proper control or dying in an ; environment detrimental to its physical' Or moral well-being, any ■justice may issue a summons addressed to any person having the custody of the-child,' requiring hiin to appear before the children’s court in order that the child may be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of'the Act. The Minister cited other specific provisions in awards, recommendations,, agreements, etc., made under .’the. industrial Conciliation • ahd Arbitration Act against? the harmful einpldymeiitof children, Where there is no definite contract of employment, as between parent and child, it is usual for action to be taken under section 13 of the Cliild Welfare Act..-.

further legislation has been under . the consideration of the Child Welfare Department for some time with the object, of giving a more comprehensive definition. of hours ,and conditions of child labour. The Minister said an attempt was made in 1928' by school medical officers to elucidate the standard of health and the..environmental conditions .of school children in certain districts. Groups of schools were selected representing the children of coal miners, bush timber mill workers and dairy farmers in thriving communities and in remote country areas. Children attending 25 schools in. New Zealand were examined and the homes of 476 children were visited. School progress was retarded in the children of coal minors 12 per cent., • timber mill workers .14 per cent., farmers in thriving areas 21 per cent., in remote farming areas 11.5 per cent., share milkers 26 per cent. In the third group (thriving farming communities) with 21 per cent, retardates, 25 per cent, had less, than ten hours’ sleep, and 19 per cent, had more than three hours’ work. In the fifth group (share milkers) with 26 per cent, retardates, 24 per cent, had less than 10 hours’ sleep and 18. per cent, had more than three hours’ work.

It is remarked by the school mcdi-wl officers that the amount of work done outside school hours would appear to have more effect on school progress than on; nutrition. Though children who do work before and after school hours do not compare, unfavourably in development with others, their nervous system would not appear to be in as good a state, for the retardation in school work is more pronounced and a. common remark of teachers is that such children show signs of fatigue in school and in some cases, actually fall asleep..