BOY LABOUR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2805, 24 June 1916, Page 15

BOY LABOUR

TRADES COUNCIL PROTEST. Some weeks ago the Industrial Association proposed to . make inquiries from the Labour Department as to the possibility of engaging schoolboys to work in certain factories after school hours., The Trades and Labour Council communicated with tho Minister of Education protewting against any such step being taken. The Minister replied that the matter would have his serious consideration. At tlie last meeting of the Industrial Association the question was again: discussed, and as it was stated that an Order-in-Council under the War Regulations Act would bo necessary before the boytf could be allowed to work it was decided to approach the Government with, a view to obtaining such an ,order. Tho secretary of the Trades Council (Mr. T.-. M. A. ReardenJ has again written to tho Prime Minister (as Minister of Labour) and tho Minister of Education (Hon. J. A. Hanan)- protesting against such an Or-der-in-Co'incil being made, as it'is considered that boys should be given every facility and opportunity of prosecuting their studies untrammelled by any distractions. "If this Order-in-Council were issued," the letter continues, "we are of opinion that it would simply have the effect of providing cheap labour for employers at the expense of our boys' education, and would also probably haue the effect of loading these boys into blind alley occupations and so unfitting them for true citizenship. • We trust you will help us in this mattfi' and so put a stop to such a mischievous proposal." •