The Wail for Child Labour.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 15, 16 June 1911, Page 4

The Wail for Child Labour.

By J. E. DUNCAN.

The workers of New Zealand are to be confronted by tho systematic introduction of child, labor into this coTlii-« try. In almost all journals of the Cap? italist class we are struck by the cr^ , of the exploiters for more boy and girl labor.

Cnas. Vail it was who said: "About the only saying of Christ's that the Capitalist finds suitable to his needs is "teuixer little children to como unto rne, J and this he is not loth to put into practice."

The first batch of boy laborers was introduced from JBngland. some months ago by Mr. iSedgwicK, and these lads have ainioet witnout exception been snatched, up by the cheap labor farmer. They have proven such a success financially that the farmers are out after more, and at a recent meeting oi tne delegates of the various agricultural associations of Auckland, liecruitmg Oiucer fciedgwick was present ana anaued on tne oenents accruing irom .uoy laoor. feedgwicK/s remarks found ready acceptance oy the delegates present, and tne following resolution was moved and carried nem con. : "That having regard to both tne scarcity of suitable young la Dor on farms, and the success whicn has attended the Government's experiment of bringing town lacis from JtLome to work on farms in tne Dominion, this meeting urges upon tlie iVlmister for Labor to take such steps as may be necessary to bring out further parties of similar lads suicably selected to situations pror vided lor them before their arrival, and: thus increase the output of products and exports and provide settlers ot good type for settlement on the land in lutuie."

Tjae is.Z. "Herald," in a eulogistic reference to tne introduction or the t>oys, teaid: "it is little, short of criminal to otter a bigoted opposition to sucn a scheme as tins, whicn injures noDudy, advantages ail and strengthens JNew z-eaiami as inucn as it benefits the

immigrants. ,, We are all aware of the mutteringe of discontent wnen the lads rightly unci ens loocl tno conditions under which: Diiey nad to toil. 'mc Capitalist exploiter recognises that the practically rriendless boy wage siave ol a lew siuiimgs per week will oner considerably less resistance to exploitation viaan an adult, and the Capitalist will be able to work his own sweet will with him.

Let nic interrogate the farmer class and otners wJio urge the importation of these lads. Is it that they are prompted oy philanthropic actions, or tlo tney merely wisn. to flood the labor jnarkeo witia cheap labor ? We of the worning-class, who, by the way, are the only ones who attempt to understand the economic problems with a view to tneir unravelling, know that the boys are being introduced for motives of gain. Capitalists all the world over care not what hardships they inflict on the workers in their insatiate frenzy for profits and are we to belive that the dividend snatchers of New Zealand will be an exception? The direct result of the introduction of these boys will be the displacement of the adult worker, and if he be- the father of a family, then some of his little ones will have to suffer. We have in this country able-bodied willing workers out of employment, so why this cry for child labor if it is not to provide cheap labor for the exploiter ? In the interests of the children of this country, and those of other lands, let the reverberations of our protests resound from cape to cape, for the abolition of child slavery.