South Yorkshire Times, April 21st 1939.
A plea that he wanted his daughter at home “to help the Missis,” was offered by Arthur Wharam, unemployed, 10, Cross Street, Great Houghton, who was summoned at Barnsley on Wednesday for a breach of the unemployment insurance act, in failing to send his daughter, Harriet, aged 15, to a juvenile training centre.
Appearing for the Ministry of Labour, major J. G. E. Rideal said a fortnight ago the mother appeared and the magistrates adjourned the case because they for that the father ought to attend. The mother had stated that there was no reason why he should not be present.
Major Rideal explained that the daughter was one of a family of three, the others being a boy aged 10 and a daughter aged 17. In 1938 Harriet became unemployed and defendant was instructed by the board of assessors to send her to a juvenile training center which involved five half days a week.
Subsequently the girl obtained work at Halifax in Thurnscoe and in February this year she again became unemployed. Defendant had stated that he objected to sending her to a training center and was informed that the Board had no power to relax the regulations. In spite of the intimation the girl had made no attendances.
Major Rideal explained that the object of the centers was to improve young people and to fit them for better employment.
Harold Kaye, employed by the Ministry of Labor at Wombwell, said that when he visited the helmet the mother objected to sending the girl and said she required him at home.
Cecil Charlesworth, manager of the employment exchange at Wombwell, said at the center the pupils were taught various useful subjects and their way also various organised games. Every effort was made to find the pupil suitable employment.
The chairman said the magistrates felt it was their duty to see the law was complied with. The center was for the child’s benefit and they would make an order for her to attend. If the father was brought again there would be rather serious punishment for him.