"CHILD SLAVERY."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 100, 29 April 1902, Page 2

"CHILD SLAVERY."

DISCUSSED by the chamber of COMMERCE. " A LIBEL ON* THE DISTRICT." At iho Giuinber of Commerce meeting on Monday, the Chairman referred to the question of alleged " white slavery " in connection with the dairy industry, and thought the Chamber should take notice of it. Mr George endorsed the chairman's remarks, and said he was pleased with the actios of the' Education Board. He thought the Chamber should speak out on- this qu«stion. He understood the National Dairy Association was dealing with this question at its annual meeting. The agitation was started last year, and an attempt was made to introduce it into the House, but fortunately it fell through. The Chairman then nsovtd, That wi f h respect to article published by the A'vening Post ht-aded " Child Slavery in Tatanaki," the Chamber, from its own knowledge ard from tho snuu»l report of the Inspector of Schools, confidently asserts that tho physical and mental status of the cbildrun hah vastly improved sines the establishment of the dairy industry in Taranaki, and can' challenge comparison with that of children in any other district in the colony. Mr Weston seconded.

Mr Alexander opposed the resolution, and considered the condition of the children required amelioration. Mr Chong disputed the statements of Mr Alexander in toto.

Mr Georga defended the res du l ion, and quoted from the report of the Inspector of Schools.

Mr Bewluy said the question was: Do the children show mentally or physically that they are worse or not ? And he said, " No." Mi Hughes stid there were'no doubt a few esses of hardship, but the general condition of the children was improved.

Mr R, Cock said thosn-who knew the facts of the case knew that the articles were a libel on th« district. He pointed out that the establishment of dairy f ictorie* had been the means of assisting in the es - ablUlim>-nt of schnols.

Mr Courtney said ho would like to say that he hud beei s'ruck with the healthy appearance of thu children in tho dairying district us cotnp.rod with the town child* en.

Mr King thought so far as the education was concerned the Inspoetor of Schools ha! sottlad this. He uad ex perience all ove;- the district as far as the health of the children was concerned. They all knew they had nothing to complin of, nnd it was right they should enti-r tl>is protest. Mr Ambury supportad the resolution, and paid he hid come from a school raeetiug whore it was shown that the year's work was the best ever done. The motion was then cirtied.

On the motion of Mr Weston, it was resolved that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to the editor of the Kvening Post, Wellington.