THE STATE'S BABIES.

A KIND PARENT.

UNDER THE NEW REGIME. GOOD WORK. The State was a parent even Before tho new Infant Life Protection v Act was passed last year, but ever since the now order was established the State has been doubly a parent. The Government steps into the place of fathers and mothers who are not deemed to be proper persons to have the upbringing of children, and takes care of little ones who have few other friends in tho wide world. Under the old system the police had to keep an eye on the State's family. They had to visit the homes in which the dots and toddlers were boarded out, but now this delicate responsibility is taken from the hard-worked constables. Mrs. Dick, who is in charge of the Wellington Receiving Home, frankly admits I that the police did good work, but they necessarily had their limitations. They I might see cause for complaint in a licensed home-; they might see that something was wrong, but the prescription of remedies, short of cancelling the license, was a task rather beyond them. They could not, usually, give expert advice about the preparation of baby's bottle or advise how the child was to be treated while teething. Since let January the administration of the Industrial Schools Act and the Infant Life Protection* Act have been mostly under the contro l of the Educar tion Department, and women do all the inspecting of infant homes. Yet the police are still a great assistance, and Mrs. Dick wishes\them to know that sjhe is very grateful for their help. TWO KINDS OF BABY. The Wellington Receiving Home is a depot for the distribution of children under the Industrial Schools Act. When a child is an "industrial," the State, per Mrs. Dick, so far as the Wellington district is concerned, becomes absolutely its parent. Infants are boarded out in suitable homes, and subsequently are properly schooled and sent to service to earn their own living. At present there are eleven children in the home waiting berths outside, but they are only a fraction of the Wellington TSmily. On the books of the home there are 326 "industrials," and not one is lost from view. The district embraces Nelson, o Wanganui, Napier, and all the parts between, and children are placed all over this ■area. ' Under the Infant Life Protection Act the little ones, for whom the mothejrs are unable or unwilling to personaujy care, are housed with foster parents, and the State is an interested spectator. The parents are supposed to make their own arrangements with the foster parents about the maintenance of the children, and the Education Department's lady representatives keep watch and ward on the homes where the babies are harbouzed. Sometimes the parents neglect the payments, and then the foster folk apply to the State, but the Government has no liability in these cases. This is a matter which will probably interest legislators in the near future. It will be a question whether the scope of the State's parentage should be enlarged. Under this Act about 228 infants are boarded out in tho Wellington district. HOW THE WORK IS DONE. Skilled nurses have been appointed to visit the infant homes, and they are assisted by ladies who have a little leisure to spare, and gladly and freely give their time in a good cause. With kind hands and good advice they arc always helping to make life a. little brighter for tho mites who start life with a heavy handicap, and there is much scope for the educational crusade. One type of woman who has to be reformed is the one who feeds a nine-months-old baby on potato chips, and wonders why the infant has convulsions (this case happened recently). Mrs. Dick mentions that most of the ioster-parents are' very kind to their I little* charges, and not above accepting helpful advice. The foster-fathers, too, she said, had beeD very considerate. Then hearts seemed to be touched by the helplessness of the little ones, and they did things for them as heartily as they would for their own children. They rose in the night to "make tho bottle" and they "walked the floor" when the child was fretful. THRIVING " INDUSTRIALS." The Receiving Home is very proud of some of tho "industrials" who are steadily making their way ahead in the world. They have reached years at which the battle for bread must begin, and they are bearing themselves honourably in the campaign. Lads, judiciously placed at various kinds of employment, are piling I up accounts at the Post Office Savings I Bank. Thei general rule is to allow them a shilling a! week as pocket money, and the balance is banked for them. Yesterday Mrs. Dick showed an interviewer a number of bank books, which disclosed "fat" accounts. Striplings still with their teens in a good state of preservation, had £50 or more to their credit "under the chimes." One valiant youth amassed £90, and is now in a fair way to establish himself on the land, 'and ultimately become president of the Farmers' Union. One of these sturdy youngsters had a very agreeable surprise the other day. "I'm tired of working for a^shilKng a week," he growled. He was finder an impression that in addition to his keep his wages amountea to oniy a shilling. His eyes opened, however, when he saw his bank book, and he had almost a vision of himself lolling back in a motor car and puffing the cigar of opulence. By an oversight the authorities had forgotten to acquaint him witE his financial position. Thus honourable children of the State are .doing their part to make the country's industrial wheels go round, and are incidentally saving capital sufficient to make themselves well pleased with this old world when they reach the ago/ of twenty-one and bid their fond parent good-bye.