OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 September 1939, Page 6

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

WORK ON DAIRY FARMS (To the Editor.) Sir,—l saw it reported a few days ago that in Napier four milk-ven-dors were charged in the magistrate’s court with employing boys under 16 years of age before 7 a.m. and that fines of various amounts were imposed. The magistrate commented on the injurious effect such early rising might have on the boys. Why is this law not enforced on the dairy farmers? It has been stated by Mr Ben Roberts, M.P., that 80 per cent of the labour on dairy farms is family labour. I saw a small boy of ten last week out at 5.30 a.m. getting cows in to be milked. He told me he did it every morning. Is anyone surprised when teachers say these children fall asleep at their desks? I am told that without women and children in the cowsheds it Avould be impossible to maintain the New Zealand dairying industry.—l am, etc., A PARENT. Masterton, September 11. ..y WAR AND THE LIQUOR TRADE (To the Editor.) Sir,—Within a few days of the outbreak of the war, the New Zealand Government has decided to call up 6,600 men to go into camp for training for local or overseas service. May I ask if the Government intends taking any steps to protect these men, many of them only boys, from the enemy already within our own shores, alcoholic liquor? Or are the open bars of this fair country of ours to be allowed to reap a huge profit as they did 25 years ago, at the expense of these men. I understand we spent last year ten millions of money on this wretched evil in New Zealand! What a boon that money would be to us now. What are the churches and the women going to do in regard to this very strong enemy we have already with us? —Yours, etc., LEAD THEM NOT INTO TEMPTATION. Masterton. September 12.