138
Appendix 3 (A).
Investigation with regard to Child Labour.
In my recent investigations with regard to Child Labour, I observed that the work taken up by Children in the Colony, on the whole, is quite moderate, except that it appears to me, the work in glass factories is not at all good for children. In manufacturing glass, children are engaged in doing the work of "blowing,' which is very unsuitable for them, especially as they are working almost the whole day long. They work in front of a hot fire; and so have not enough fresh air. Such work is very unhygienic for children and naturally affects their health. Therefore, the employment of children in this kind of work should be strictly prohibited.
As stated in my previous report, the number of children engaged in carrying building materials is approximately 1,000 of whom the majority, as I have observed, carry over-loads. This over-load work can easily be stopped, but it is not advisable to stop children entirely from doing the work of carrying. When any contractor enters into a contract with the Public Works Department and the War Department, or with the Civil Engineers, Architects and Surveyors in private practice on certain building construction, it should be mentioned in such contract that the Contractor should not employ any children under 11 years of age (Chinese). Similarly, it should be mentioned in permits issued by the Building Authority and the Secretary for Chinese Affairs; but children whose ages are over 11 (Chinese) should be allowed to carry loads in accordance with the following scale:-
Children 11 years of age can carry loads of not more than 22 catties.
12
24
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11
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19
13
26
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11
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15
19
JA
14-15
40
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11
55
11
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In speaking of the introduction of compulsory Education in the Colony, I do appreciate the ideas of Rev. Mr. Wells. Personally I would say it is an excellent scheme, but I am afraid it cannot be so easily adopted, because first of all it requires a tremendous sum of money to run the scheme, and secondly it is rather difficult to find sufficient school accommodation. I would therefore propose to open free night schools. At present I can think of 7 day schools which are quite suitable for this purpose.
(1) The Saiyingpun School, (2) Queen's College, (3) Belilios School (4) Ellis Kadoorie School, (5) Wanchai School, (6) Yaumati School, and (7) Belilios Reformatory.
Both Chinese and English to be taught for 3 hours nightly from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. except Sunday night. Children between 8 and 11 years of age are admitted to Chinese classes and those between 12 and 15 are admitted to English classes. These schools can accommodate about, 2,400 children. For every 40, 1 tencher is required or 60 teachers altogether, of whom 30 are engaged to teach English and 30 to teach Chinese.
The expenditure for these night schools is roughly estimated as follows:—
30 teachers (teaching Chinese), salary per year at $300
30 14 servants
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59
English),
400-
27
25
$ 9,000. 12,000.
150-
2,100.
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Books, etc. for 2,400 students
Electric light expenses per year for 7 schools
2.
:)
4,800.
150-
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1,050.
Sundry expenses
7
120-
840.
77
17
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Roughly say $30,000.
The Government is requested to contribute this amount.
$29,790.