SHARING ROOMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 188, 10 August 1936, Page 3

SHARING ROOMS.

GIRLS AND YOUTHS.

MAORI SEXUAL OFFENCES.

JUDGE BLAMES PARENTS.

That Maori councils and other authorities should take steps'to see that pirls and younir men were not allowed to share the same rooms was an opinion stressed by Mr. Justice Fair at the Supreme Court this morninp- when <{eorge Moses, a Vaori, aped 21, came before him for sentence 011 a charge of unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl aged 12 years. The accused, who had been committed for sentence from the Police Court at "VVhakatane, had nothing to say before sentence was passed. His Honor said it was very painful to see a young man of accused's good character in the position in which he now stood. The statement he. had made to the police showed that misconduct had extended over three years. During a greater portion of that time the girl and the accused had occupied the same room. In several cases, somewhat similar to the one before the Court, said the judge, there had been similar circumstances of youii'r people of different sexes sharing the same room. In such cases the parents of the girls were gravely to lilmne in allowing such conditions to continue. "The Maori councils and other authorities should take steps to ensure that such things do not take place. Parents must recognise the danger of allowing young girls to be exposed to such risks," added his Honor. "All those circumstances do not excuse a young man who is a good deal older than the girl. The object of the law is to protect the morals and future happiness of these young girls. For a. breach of the law. whether by a Maori or a pakelia, a term of imprisonment must be imposed." The accused was sentenced to twelve months' hard labour.