CHILD "SLOVERY"

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 43, 14 November 1907, Page 5

CHILD "S LOVERY"

- Sir,—Your sensible artkk- u;':i ' OmW Shvory" in this morning'j :ssu<3 Im* aro-.-nJ quito a feeling of giatitudo ivithin ii-o. . Tjm unfounded aspersions cast upon many inn? cent' parents in tho North is both cruel and unbecoming from our city. I my,'elf Uww and can testify thaUas you say there is nc need for peoplo of tender susceptiblo feelings to feel distressed about tho children in Taranaki. • I have lived in their midst for twelve years, and havo never seen anything of this so-called slavery.' Children cortninly milk, and take thoir part in tho interests of the house; they are taught, the virtues of early rising, industry and porsoverance by so doing. If any of these outcriers can show town cLidrcn as industrious, as self-reliant, and-as strong in love of home, and strength of brain and limb, let them trot them out.

Just lately I was.staying with friends upon one of tho roads loading from EJtham to Mangitoki, a,thickly-populated dairy centre, and it was a delight morning and nfternoon to watch tho school children riding past, some 20 or 30 of them on ponies, singing and laughing in spirits and strength which betoken health knd well-being. Sometimes three would be on one horse. I have noticed that as the farmer gets on overy year additional advantages are given to his children. .For my own part I fail to see that the city child can compare with the country one, either in industrious habits, love for its home, parents or country. . The indulgent mother of the city who allows her young sons or daughters, to attend operas, dances, and amusements night after night, inculcates neither love for home, industry or health, and, for a good citizen, the boy,who comes'from tho land carries tho palm. .• -

As a young man in his office said to me the other day, "I was brought up on the land, and my heart is there."' The very privations and difficulties through which'tho children go strengthen and cement tho bonds of jove for parents and homo. If I am. not mistaken, the forced, artificial, luxurious life which many of tho town children live tonds to selfishness and effeminacy, and —well, anything but'tho best type of manhood or womanhood. I know of many instances in th'e back blocks almost like the one you givp In your farm column on "Pioneering,"-and it seems shame-, ful that many such ,as they, the very backbone of this .country's wealth, should be stigmatised with cruelty to.thoir children; and such like. Let some of Wellington's moralists trek back to o"ur .unbroken back blocks, and let thom show.us'how they would manage.—rYours,! etc., ~ ■ ■ "AN INDIGNANT TARANAKI PIONEER." '' - November 12. '