SCHOOLBOY LABOR IN DAIRY FACTORIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1917, Page 2

SCHOOLBOY LABOR IN DAIRY FACTORIES.

The Agricultural Director (Mr. R. Browne) submitted the following report:— As an outcome of an informal conference between Messrs Masters (convener) ami Dixon and certain general managers oi dairy factories, held at Hawera 011 March 24, to discuss the above subject, I note the following: (1) There appears to be no immediate necessity to consider the question of assistance to butter factories, as next season, it is stated by 'managers, sufficient labor will almost certainly be available for that bran eh of the industry. (2) Cheese factories will certainly require assistance from October-November onwards to February. In the costal districts, for example Hawera, extra labor may be required as early as September. (3) All managers were agreed that school lads of 14 to 17 years of age are suitable for a great deal of work in cheese factories, and such suitability has been proved in past years at Hawera Dairy Factory and elsewhere. (4) In the coming season willing lads could be placed in numbers at various factories at good wages for all-day work. It is recommended that accommodation lie provided either in the homes of managers where posiblc, or on .near-by farms. (5) Satisfactory use could be made of the services of lads living in their own homes, and arriving at factories at about 8.30 or 9 a.m. and finishing at about 4 p.m. (C) All lads should be paid according to capacity for work. (7) It is suggested that dairy factories in Taranaki, especially cheese factories, should be circularised as to how many lads each could employ during next season.

(8) Jri view of the necessity for early preparation, I suggest that as soon as' possible arrangements be made that lads taking the rural course, and others available, put in one week's instruction in practical work at the nearest factory, and that thereafter during the winter class instruction in dairy science have a bias towards practical factory operations. Where a week could not satisfactorily be arranged, then day visits should be arranged, as early as possible. The aim is to arouse interest in dairy factory operations generally. (9) It is useless attempting; this work in country districts. There all available labor of young people will be required in connection with milking and other epilations on the farm.

Mr. Wilkinson considered the report was very valuable, in view of the shortage of labor. He gave an instance of boys taking up dairy factory work, and suggested that a copy of the report be sent to the Efficiency Board.

'Mr. Dixon hoped it would only lie as a last resort that I>oVs would be taken away from school for working in dairy factories. -

Tlie chairman also preatly approved o? the report, but pointed out that there were dilhculties, especially in relation to examination and the counting- of'attendance at the factory as attendance at school, but he insisted thai hoys so employed should be paid full wages, and that proper provision should be made for housing the boys and due supervision exercised. The report was adopted.

HORTICULTURE, On the suggestion of Mr. 'Browne, the Board authorised the temporary appointment of an instructor in horticulture, upon condition that necessarv fmance_ is arranged so that the class will not involve any cost to the Board

MODEL DAIRY FARM. The secretary of the Stratford A. & P. Association notified that steps had been tak-en to establish a model dairy tarm and experimental area of 43 acres to be controlled by the Education Board' and asking that a committee be appointed to view the land and discuss the matter. It was decided that the Manual and Technical Committee meet the association as requested on Friday afternoon.