WOMEN PROTEST.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20089, 19 November 1930, Page 5

WOMEN PROTEST.

+ MR BUTCHERS* BOOK. depltation to minister. "WSS -'.asOCZATIOX .* "WELLINGTON, November IS. >e prophecy made by Mr A. G. pitchers in I:j a book, '•'Education in eu- that the first child of c ei v tliii d g ir j -^ e conceived out of wedlock, was challenged by a depuAT„ n t0 tr° .^^ ni ' s,cr for Education "nlnJry V A tn,ore > frora ,? atc! .' Committee of the v. | ' ? council of Women of New =td'f.'m . . la - v ; it contended that the 1 , f nas illogical and not justified Q ;. ' a su Pplied by the Government j. a is ician, and that it was a slur on the young people of New Zealand. t V *,v S j : Stone, president of the , "f ton branch of the National ouneU of Women, contended that it was well known that statistics could be twisted, and the figures given in the ..ear ljoo , k w erc not sufficient to justify the conclusions drawn. For instance, er \ vras large number of women who, !narriGd or unmarried, were childless, find the Government Htatistician's figures did not all refer to first births, homo of the subsequent births referred to the same woman. Their protest sgninst the statement was based on the following grounds: (1) That it is an erroneous deduction. (2) That it is illogical and unscientific.

(o) That the data on which the deduction is based are insufficient. (4) That it is defamatory to the girlhood and womanhood of the Dominion. Effect of tho Boob. The book had the approval of the Minister for Education, and had been subsidised by the Government. That would doubtless give it a standing outside the Dominion. In fairness to tho womanhood of New Zealand they nsked that the statement be expunged from the book and none other than expurgated editions be permitted to go out or be sold in the Dominion. Even if the statement were true it could not bo any help in remedying the position. The figures in the Year Book had been compiled for a particular and not for a general purpose. Other members of tlie deputation supported Mrs Stone's contentions. M.rs M. 11. Cliatfleld urged that, a conference be called by the Government to investigate this most important matter, sif't the allegations carefully and decide on a course of action which would check the undoubted tendency towards loose morality. Minister's Reply. "1 may say at once that I do not believe in the deductions made by Mr Butchers," said Mr Atinore in reply. Apart from the statement under consideration, the book was a most valuable work and it was unfortunate that statements had been made from the Australian Year Book. Ho quoted the following percentages of extra-nuptial births of different countries of the world—Hungary 38, Austria 30, Sweden 26, Denmark 2-i, German}- 2;!, Prussia 21, Finland 21, France 10, Italy 14, Spuin 14, Norway 13, Scotland 13, Australia 12, Belgium 12, New Zealand 9, England and Wales 7, Netherlands 5, Ireland 4, Bulgaria 4. It would thus he seen that New Zealand had n proud rank among the various countries. He did not believe the present age was worse than any other. In fact, in his opinion, it wtts "the golden age." Tile fact, however, that greater publicity was given tilings to-day led some people to believe w« bore unfavourable compafison with other eras. Defence of New Zealand Youtli. New Zealand girl* and hoys challenged comparison with any others in the world, and during his tours he had been struck with their physique and demeanour. lie agreed that statistics were misleading because ;»resit sophistication might indicate a higher standard of morality. He also agreed that there was work to be done for the welfare of children. Mtioh of the trouble was a result of ignorance, and a certain amount oould be put down to sub-normality. Not only would farm colonies have to be established for sub-normal girls, but factories in which they could work would also have lo be established in order that they might contribute to their upkeep. It WAS danuerous for these girls to have much liberty. Both the previous Government and the present Government had recognised the value "f Mr tiutehers' books, but they had no power to censor them. Tt was hoped, however, that den in Is of the allegations would counteract ths false statements made. The Government hod paid only r. small subsidy towards the cost <>f

the lxn>ks, and had no power over them. He believed a conference <jij the lines suggested by Mrs Chntfield might do a great den! of good, una 4t,-> would place the proposal before Cabinet. Fie slron"'y sympathised with the deputation. K-eii'i.'-e lie very proud of the children of t»ie miiiion. nnd would be the first to defend tliem.