TEMPORARY WORK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26639, 9 December 1947, Page 4

TEMPORARY WORK

CHRISTMAS RUSH PERIOD MANY CHILDREN ENGAGED P.A. AUCKLAND. Dec. 8. A substantial demand for the services of secondary school girls' and boys as temporary employees in a variety of trades and. businesses exists in Auckland in spite of official advice from the Health Department that children under 16 should not be employed where they are likely to come into contact with the public. Although the shopping crowds have been much smaller since the outbreak of infantile paralysis occurred, holiday staff is still sought by some employers, and inquiries showed that, at least some parents were keen to have their children accept vacancies.

“We engaged a lot of girls prior to the outbreak, and, although we have had some cancellations, there have been 10 or 20 applicatiops for every cancellation received," said the staff manager of an Auckland Store. He added that the company had no trouble in getting enough secondary school girls, some of whom were under 16 and made good safes girls. In most cases parents iYef'e : hbt trying to stop them from . accepting the positions. The firm had not fixed age-limits, but the decision rested entirely with the parents. The firm, had accepted those who wished to join the staff temporarily and had their parents’ consent. The girls were working in retail departments. ... Advice To Employers

Mr R. M. Baker, secretary of the Auckland Provincial Retailers’ Association, said that after communicating with the Health Department his association had sent a circular ,to its 1100 members in the drapery, mercery, shoe and allied trades. He added that the circular contained the following passage: “In accordance with advice given by the Health Department, members are urged not to employ casual staff under 16 years of age except where they will not be in. contact with the public:” This was the association's' advice, but. if all.'members .did not accept it the association could do no more.

Some children under 16 were already employed in . Auckland. factories with the consent of their parents, said Mr. J. R. Don, secretary of the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association. Comparatively few children, however, were taking casual employ-ment-in factories during the school holidays. . , , , The chief postmaster at Auckland, Mr S. E. Oppenbeim, said the department was keeping in close touch witn the Health Department in Auckland and was acting upon advice as far- as employment of youths was concerned. Normally, the Post and Telegraph Department used the services of a substantial number of schoolboys during part of the holidays, but this year the total engaged would be much smaller. It was hoped, hotoever, to make up the consequent shortage by employing young men in an older group, including students. Health Department’s View

The department’s attitude was further defined by the medical officer of health at Auckland, Dr L. S. Davis. He said he regarded it as extremely undesirable for children under 16 years of age to be employed in shops or factories if it meant that they were being brought together or were in close touch with the public, as they were no doubt subject to danger of infection in that way. If they were not being brought into touch with the public or other children there was no reason why they should not be employed.- There was no legal ban on employing children under 16 years of age at the present time, and he could conceive some instances where employment would appear to be desirable. In some jobs a child might be better off than sitting at home wondering what to do with himself.