THE TARANAKI “CHILDSLAVERY”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3721, 25 October 1906, Page 4

THE TARANAKI “CHILDSLAVERY”

The Taranaki papers get very angry when any, allusion is made to the undoubted existence ef “child slavery in the dairying districts of that province. Yet the Eltham journal records with palpable pride the following of “enthuiasru ” <or slavery)“ As an instance of the interest taken in the Technical Classes at Eltham,. we may mention that a young iady eighteen years of age, who has been attending the dressmaking classes, remained until 3 a.m. on Friday morning, in order to finish the work which had been set out at the classes. At 4.30 she had to turn out and milk thirty cows, the family milking oyer too cows between them. After milking (which would probably occupy four hours) the, young lady walked to town to attend the dressmaking class from 10 : o’clock until 12. She attended the Same class from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m; and again in the evening from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and then walked home, after engaging in work which necessitated her standing at-.the work tables for six solid hours.”