SOCIAL EVIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 282, 29 November 1938, Page 10

SOCIAL EVIL.

UNWANTED CHILDREN.

STATE CARE OF MOTHERS?

' JUSTICES' SUGGESTION.

(By . Telegraph.—Press Association.)

NEW PLYMOUTH, this day

Believing that the temptation to women to submit themselves to the practice of abortion would be largely removed if there were provision for their care by the State and the adoption of their children afterwards, the Taranaki Association of Justices of the Peace, at their annual meeting at Xew Plymouth, urged an extension of the Social Security Act provisions to cover the need.

The justices admitted the difficulty of the problem and its serious repercussions on the population, but the feeling was expressed that Parliamentary action alone could not supply a remedy. Besides education of the young on the subject a change of attitude among the parents was necessary before an attack on the evil could be successful, it was contended.

The following remit is to be sent to Timaru for consideration by the annual conference of the Dominion Federation of the Justices of the Peace Associations: "That with a view to preventing or minimising the «vil of abortion the Social Security Act should be amended to provide (1) that for a period of three months ante-natal treatment and maintenance in an approved home be provided for voluntary acceptance by unmarried women or deserted wives, followed by maternity benefits already therein; (2) that the child of such a woman be, with her consent, adopted at birth by the State and any proceedings taken by the State for maintenance of the child be without publicity to the mother."

Stringent penalties, including £30 fines or three months' imprisonment, for those who supply liquor to any girl under 21 are sought by the association, an amendment to the Licensing Act or the Police Offences Act being suggested.

Moral and constitutional evils arising from drinking at dances and in motor cars were deplored, it being considered that the position was serious enough to warrant drastic measures. Phrased in the form of an amendment to the Licensing or Police Offences Act, a remit received unanimous endorsement for submission to the annual conference of the Dominion Federation.