CHILDREN AND FARM WORK.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 393, 6 September 1911, Page 3

CHILDREN AND FARM WORK.

Interest in the condition of children living on farms in the remote district? of Victoria has been' aroused by the report of a school inspector, who states that children in Gipsland are not as mentally bright and active as are those of the cities and iome provincial towns in the State. He attributes their backwardness to the large amount of farm work they have to do before and after school, and he quote cases of children in dairying districts who are overburdened with duties that should be undertaken by their elders. On inquiry during an inspection one day he found that a little girl of eight rose at 5.30 a.m., milked five cows and helped to feed calves, and would have to do similar work on her return from school. A little maiden a year older was more fortunate, being allowed to lie in bed to six a.m., and having only three cows to milk twice a day. There was a girl of ten who rose at 5.30 a.m., milked eight cows, helped to feed calves, and then prepared breakfast before she could go to s' hool. In the evening she again had to milk and feed calves and prepare tea for the family. The inspector's record of the case of a boy of similar age is almost as pitiful. "Rose on morning of inquiry at 4.45 a.m., brought in cows, milked six cows, fed cows, washed feed tins, cut firewood, and performed similar duties in the evening on returning from school." Another boy of ten was up at 5.30 a.m., brought in cows and milked six of them, and then had to take his turn at a hand separator. It is no wonder that many teachers in the dairying districts have reported to the Education Department that in consequence of the heavy work children are stunted in growth and are dull in mind and wearied in bed before they reach school. Fortunately the Victorian Parliament has been aroused to action by the reports of the shameful hardships suffered by the little children of the backblocks, and the Minister of Education has taken steps to check the very serious evils that have grown up.