CHILD WELFARE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19057, 20 July 1927, Page 15

CHILD WELFARE.

AMENDMENTS TO ACT. [THE PBBSS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, July 19. Amendments to the Child Welfare Act are proposed in a Bill introduced to-night in the House of Representatives.

The Bill provides for the registration of private institutions and aU° for an inspection by officers of the Child Welfare Branch at reasonable times. The Minister lor Education is empowered to require the controlling authorities to undertake structural and other alterations in the premises which, in his opinion, are necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of the children and subject to the right o appeal to a Magistrate he may cancel the registration of the home if default is made in complying with his requisition. Concerning the inspection requirement the private institutions were consulted and have agreed to the clause. Other clauses strengthen the hands of the private institutions and give them additional power in regard to the collection of moneys from parents of children in their charge. Another point of interest is that the Magistrates who have been appointed to exercise jurisdiction in specified Children's Courts may exercise jurisdiction in any such Court without further appointment. Magistrates are also to have power to review informations charging children with trivial offences ana to decide them without a formal hearing.if they think fit. It ia proposed further to allow the use of the' ordinary Court for the purposo of a Children's Court, but the aim is to be as far as possible to "avoid any association by the children with other persons in attendance at the ordinary Court. Other clauses extend jurisdiction to deal with indictable offences in Children s . Courts. Provision is included for the administering of mild whippings with a strap or cane to delinquents. There would not be more than sw strokes. The Minister has expressed the opinion that this clause is tb« only one in the Act likely to Woroke discussion.