THE LOT OF THE POOR CHILD.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 72, 25 March 1919, Page 9

THE LOT OF THE POOR CHILD.

(To the Editor, i

Sir, —In the Police Court new.; one case was entitled "On the Starvation Line." The bare facts disclosed little of the true story to the cursory reader, but reading between the lines, what a pitiful story of a broken home and scattered lives it told. Through misfortune and sickness the mother is bereft of her five children. Surely we in New Zealand can achieve something better than the Bumbledom of seventy years ago. so ably described by Charles"Dickens. The cry is reiterated from Press and pulpit,

"Keep the cradles full." What for? If the father or mother fall ill. the authorities step in and the children are taken from their parents, and put in some

I "home." What a mockery to those who have known the real meaning of the word "home , ! The poor mother is told "They will be far better off; they will bf cared for, fed, clothed, educated, and you will have no worry on their behalf. , ' This to the one who loves them, no matter how wayward, with every fibre of her being. Why cannot the authorities give the mothers individually what they give the homes collectively? Does anyone deny a mother's better knowledge of her child? Clothe them, yes. Feed thpm, teach them to read and write. But what of their hearts, their souls, and ideals, and what of the mother? The State represents an iron idol of parenthood; the mother is flesh and blood. Think of the endurance of this mother who tried tor two years to maintain her children! To those having a regular wage coming in the struggle has been a hard one, with mounting prices on all commodities. The schemes lor a city beautiful plea.se the eye; we would all like to see them an established fact as a lasting peace memorial. But what would be, to my mind, a more beneficial memorial would be a State endowment to all mothers, enabling them to feed, clothe, and educate their offspring, and give to each child a real home life. Ido hope .some of our women's societies will consider this cisc, Sand make further inqu'ries. [am glad Jto sue the Soldier? Mothers' League working in the direction of increasing pensions to all mothers. How far will 10/6 go to feed and clothe a healthy, "rowing boy or girl? Those in high places seem to think necessaries of life fall like manna from heaven as in the •'good old days."—l am, etc., MARTAXXE M. JONES.