CHILD SLAVERY?

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20127, 21 April 1928, Page 8

CHILD SLAVERY?

EARLY MORNING TOIL LIFE ON A DAIRY FARM [ Per Presi Association. J ELTHAM, April 19. "You must make a complete change in your methods, as in thc circumstances the children have no chance of acquiring an education, and no chance in life,’ said Mr R. \V .Tate, S.M., to William Ernest McKay, when fining him £2 5s for having failed to send his three stepsons to school regularly. According to thc evidence McKay manages two farms, and thc children, aged eight, 10 and 12 years, were required to rise at 4 a.m., walk to the other farm, about two ini les away, and milk the cows there before going to school. In consequence they were habitually late, and frequently absent.

The defendant said the mother of the children insisted on their working, even if they were late for school. It. was better than starving. The Magistrate: You will have to employ labour, which -you will find less costly than the payment of fines, which will be inflicted so long as the children fail to attend school. You are not entitled to treat the children in such a manner. It looks like a case of child slavery.