THEY WON FAME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 260, 2 November 1935, Page 4 (Supplement)

THEY WON FAME.

PARIS' UNWANTED BABIES. Official statistics reveal that 2000 babiee are abandoned in the Department of the Seine, Paris and district, and left to the care of the State, every year. But, despite their poor start in life, states Renter, some of these waifs have "made a hit" in life. Two of them are Senator*, four are Deputies and one was an UnderSecretary of State. In the Army two are generals and sev?n others hold high rank. One is an admiral and nine are captains in the Navy, while other "unwanteds" have made fortunes in commerce and industry. In France no formalities are necessary for the surrender of a baby. Mothers bring their children into the State Home at any hour of the day or night. Thero are many who prow up knowing neither their name nor the place of their birth. The little wards of the State, as soon as they are big enough, are sent into humble families and there brought up, the State continuing to watch over their education and welfare. In cases where they show promise their education is continued. They are sent to a secondary school and then to a university. But the waifs who fell in the war still cannot have their real names on the roll of honour. The State, sworn to secrecy, has to keep the list in its secret archives.