CHILD "SLAVERY."

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 41, 12 November 1907, Page 1

CHILD "SLAVERY."

One of the discoveries of modern controversialists, political and journalistic, is the value of a label for fighting purposes. It is doubtful whether the British people could have been so roused to indignation at the employment of Chinese coolies in the Transvaal mines if they had , not been persistently told that the' Transvaal Labour , Ordinance, meant the defilement of British honour by a system of Chinese "slavery." Similarly, it is almost entirely owing to the persistent application of the word "slavery" to the condition of the children employed on the Taranaki dairy farms that the agitation of certain sensation-seekers In the Press and in Parliament has had its present prominence. From recent statements by certain politicians, and certain newspapers which, like the " Pious Editor" of Lowell, " believe in freedom's cause ez fur away ez Payris is," one would imagine that the dairy-farmers of Taranaki were inhuman monsters in whom all the impulses of natural affection have been destroyed by an unholy greed for gain. It is time that moderation took the place of reckless sensationalism in the discussion. There is probably no doubt that in some cases the children of dairy-far-mers are required to work as far beyond the-limits proper for childhood industry as a certain class of the children in the cities. Replying to a question in the House on Wednesday last, the Premier said that enquiries which had been made into, the charge of "child ,slavery" went to show that "whilst it is true in some instances where colour has been given to the charge, it 'is not general in its application." That is so obviously a statement of fact that it is surprising that even such a sentimental man as Mr. Laurenson should have been so willing to believe the wild allegations circulated by well-meaning but mistaken people. If the term "child slavery" could be dropped, and the fact that it were ever used could be forgotten, the agitation would die for sheer lack of fuel. There is no occasion for people of tender susceptibilities to feel distressed about the children of Taranaki. Grave and regrettable hardships exist in that province, as they exist the world over, and as they will continue to exist in city and' country alike. Thinking men recognise these facts, and are quite as anxious as their more emotional fellows

to do what is possible to minimise tlie hardships endured. But the sweeping condemnation of those conducting the dairying industry which emanates periodically from certain ill-informed quarters, based as it is on the slenderest evidence, is not only a cruel and unwarranted reflection on the parents of t.he children but a gross libel on the whole dairy-farming community.