CHILD LABOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1930, Page 3

CHILD LABOUR

HOW EDUCATION IS EFFECTED

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, August 26,

In reference to the discussion on child labour at the recent meeting of the Wellington Education Board, the Minister of Health, Hon. Mr Stallworthy, outlined the general administrative position. He said that, when school medical officers, in the course of their,duties, came upon instances of excessive child labour, it was customary to refer . them for necessary action to the Child Welfare Branch or the Education Department to be dealt with by the local Child Welfare Officer. Clause 1, Section 29, of, the Infants Act, 1908, regulates for .children street trading and employment, for the purpose of, public entertainment. Section 13 of the Child Welfare Act,, 1925, provides that on the .complaint of any constable or any Child Welfare Officer that a child is neglected,, indigent, delinquent, not under proper control, or living in an environment detrimental to its physical or moral well being, and Justice may issue a summons addressed to any person having the custody of the child, requiring him to appear before the Children’s Court in order that the child may be dealt with in accordance with the provision olf the Act. The Minister cited other specific provisions in awards, recommendations, agreements, etc., made under the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act against the harmful employment of children. Where there is no definite contract ot employment as between parent and child it is usual for action to no taken under Section 13 of the , Child Welfare Act. Further legislation lifid been under the consideration of the Child Welfare Department .for some time with the object of giving a more comprehensive definition ,of the hours and conditions of child labour. The Minister said that an attempt was made in 1928 by school medicaT officers to elucidate the standard df the health and environment conditions of school children in certain districts. Groups of schools were. selected,... reresenting the children of coal, miners, bush and timber mill workers, and dairy- farms in thriving communities and in.remote country areas. Children attending twenty-five schools in New Zealand were examined, and the homes of 476 children visited. School progress was retarded in the children of coal miners 12 per cent., timber mill Workers 14 per cent., farmers in thriving-areas 21 per cent., in remote areas 11.5 per cent., an dsharemilkers 26 per cent. In the third grono. (thriving farming communities), with