THE CHILDREN'S COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 113, 16 May 1933, Page 6

THE CHILDREN'S COURT.

I desire to comment on the fact that the inspector of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children has been refused admission to the Children's Court; and I do so, not just now as officially representing the society, but as putting forward my own views on the matter. There are two good reasons why the inspector should attend the Children's Court. First, to give, the general public confidence in the Court. lam not hinting that there has ever been, or that there is likely to be, any ■miscarriage of justice there. I am confident that this Court, as with all British tribunals of a like nature, dispenses justice tempered by mercy. I also recognise that it is not expedient that the general public should have free admission to the Children's Court. But if a court of justice is held regularly and strictly in camera, there arises, an uneasy public feeling that all may not be right there'. Evidently the framers of the Act had such a contingency in view, and so inserted , the clause making the wise provision that an accredited'representative'of a society for the welfare of children should be allowed to attend the proceedings of the Court. The discretion of such an officer could be relied on. At the same time, that officer, in full sympathy with child welfare, would officially represent the general public, and no uneasy _feeling would arise. The second reason is that cases coming before the Children's Court often need following up in the interests of women and children; and unless our inspector is conversant with the evidence in any particular case, she is not able to carry out a duty that is of real benefit to the community. I trust that common sense will be brought to bear on the interpretation of the disputed clause of the Act. P. S. SMALLFIELD.