The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1903. THE OUTCASTS OF NEW ZEALAND.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume LIII, Issue 2771, 12 May 1903, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1903. THE OUTCASTS OF NEW ZEALAND.

On Monday night Mrs Cunnington gave an address to the Cathedral Union in which she dealt with the treatment of the outcasts of society, young and old. The speaker considered that the public at large were too callous to the future of neglected children, and that, until this callousness was removed, the condition of these outcasts could not be ameliorated. On the Peninsula we see no need for providing for neglected children, as, fortunately, we don't appear to have any ; but now that our New Zealand towns are growing, the philanthropist is beginning to have some work before him. ° However, it is hard to believe that there are many genuine cases of distress in Christchurch. How is it tha. labour is so hard to obtain, and that >i nnestic servants are almost a tliiif of the past, if there are so many u.i!r<: py outcasts needing a home ? It is not quite clear whether Mrs Cunnington meant that up to the age of sixteen, the rearing of these childien was a matter of difficulty. Such a statement would appear quite reasonable, as during those years there would be no benefit derived from adopting a child. However, our Government is one of the most progressive in the world, and as so many measures have been passed relative to this question and st many charitable schools have been founded, the outcast child should have a very fair chance of a good upbringing up to the age of sixteen. Mrs Cunnington i_ well known as being keenly interested in all philanthropical schemes, and she considers that an inadequate rearing is provided by the State. It seems a pity that all our charitable schemes should have such a result, and it is to be hoped that matters are not so bad as they have been painted. One thing is quite certain — the State shonld be relieved of its burden when the children have reached the age of sixteen. Work and independence will improve the child and the State has certainly done its duty. It appears to us that much modern philanthropy does not tend to the un-pr.rt-ement of the outcast. Mrs Cunnington speaks of " mothering," and not correction, being necessary for the neglected child. Surely, " mothering,' in the proper sense of the word must consist, to some extent, in correction. We all know that unhappy, troublesome product, the spoilt child, whcse parents have showered on it a great deal of affection, and we would not advise the State to adopt the same method of rearing: Let the outcast child not feel that "every man's hand is against it; but, at the same time, teach it to understand it owes some return to the State. In New Zealand honest employment of some kind is always obtainable, and, if so minded, every boy or «nrl of sixteen could find an occupation. The real difficulty of the matter lies in the fact that these people do not want to work. As long as they can be provided for, they will, many of them, accept the State's help and growl while j they take its Then, again, of those who

do honestly want work, so many pick and choose employment. Certain classes of work are considered beneath their notice, and they often would rather go in want than consent to lower themselves in their own eyes. If these outcasts could be made to see how much more respectable employment, of any kind, was than idleness, the work of philanthropists would be considerably lessened. Some time ago on America scientist was reported to have discovered the germ ef laziness, and to have manufactured an ancidote. Philanthropists are able to save many souls from despair, and their work in this world of ours cannot be estimated too highly ; but it does seem probable that this American scientist's antidote against the microbe of idleness would solve many of the problems which engage their attention.

Last Friday evening a public meeting was held.in the Alexandra Hall, Chi istchurch, and the rearing of neglected children was drscussed at some length. Mesdames Page, Cunnington nnd Wells, and Messrs Atkinson, Taylor, Ell and Laurenson spoke on the subject of the modern system, and all agreed that the children were not being broutrnt up properly. It was thought that in a few years New Zealand would be suffering from the effects of the careless rearing of her neglected children, and a motion, put by Mr Ell, advising that the children of the State should be under the supervision of local bodies and members of Parliament, was carried unanimously.

Mr Laurenson, in seconding this motion, drew attention to the fact tbat so few Bnrnham boys were taught a trade. As he pointed out, no boy or girl of twenty-one could be expected to live a model life if cast upon the world without being prepared for any trade or occupation of some definite kind. Too great importance cannot be attached to this work of our New Zealand philanthropists. If the legislators of the colony wonld only begin at the beginning, and teach morality to the child, they would find in a few yeirs that the State would be saved a great deal. What is the use of spending time and money on the reformation of the aged criminal and allowing many young children, who might be made respectable citizens, to grow up in the midst of vicious surroundings. However, the public appear to be waking up to the fact that with all our philan_ thropical schemes the children of the State do not reflect credit upon our egislation, and the time has come when

the situation must be faced, and very difficult its solution will prove. The children cannot be made perfect by cheerful surroundings alone ; but let us hope that wise resolutions may result in reducing our future criminal lists.