MORALITY OF THE YOUNG

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23799, 19 November 1942, Page 4

MORALITY OF THE YOUNG

Methodist Synod’s Discussion CRITICISM OF LEADING ARTICLES The North Canterbury Methodist Synod, in session in Christchurch yesterday, recorded deep concern at what was described as the growing incidence of juvenile delinquency. This, it was stated, was due largely to defective family relationships, weakened parental discipline, inadequate conditions of leisure and work, and, fundamentally, to a lack of that religious basis without which legal and moral codes lacked meaning. The Synod called upon the Government to take steps to alter the law, so as to remove conditions which fostered delinquency, and urged that all sympathetic organisations take effective action to awaken the public conscience. ‘ Particular reference was made to the alleged sale of contraceptives to school children, and the Government was requested to confine such sales to licensed persons only. Sale of Contraceptives "We want to prohibit the sale of contraceptives to all persons under the age of 18,” said the Rev. R. Dudley, who moved the resolution. It was not necessary at this stage, he added, to go into the question as to whether the Synod approved or disapproved of the use of contraceptives. But it was essential that the Synod should call upon the public to guard the sanctities of family life, and to maintain those Christian standards which stood as bulwarks against the menace of modern secularism. A long debate ensued, after the presentation of a report by the public questions committee concerning juvenile delinquency. While supporting the moral reform movement, the Rev. J. Silvester moved that the Synod recommend to IJie National Council of Churches the engagement of a qualified statistician to furnish to the churches the most reliable statistics possible m relation to temperance and other social questions. , „ . ~ Mr Silvester submitted that the moral reform committee did not have “an unimpeachable answer” to criticism by "The Press” in recent leading articles commenting upon the problem of juvenile delinquency. "I realise that tabulated social surveys entail enormous work,” said Mr Silvester, "and we should have a qualified expert to deal with such matters." Method of Compilation The chairman (the Rev. J. H. Allen) praised the restraint of the Rev. R. Dudley in his reply published in "The Press.” Mr Dudley claimed that the committee had used scientific methods in the preparation of its figures. “Will Mr Silvester tell us just what are the figures he wants us to compile?" he asked. The Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt agreed that "sound scientific methods of compilation” had been used in connexion with the figures relating to the problem. The Rev. A. H. Fowlcs: Have we any other source than the New Zealand Year Book? It was the opinion of the Rev, E. Drake that the Synod was apt to be unduly impressed when a newspaper made a statement, especially when it appeared on the leader page. However, it was obvious that “The Press” had not made a thorough investigation. "Do you think for one moment that ’The Press’ would care to undertake a. campaign for moral reform?” he inquired. Mr Dudley appealed to the Synod to go into committee. This however, was opposed by Mr Frank Thompson, who said: “This is a question that should be discussed in public.” Mr Drake: The investigations made were just as sound as they could be. The Rev. H. L, Richards: I have listened very carefully to what has been said, and I still contend that there was no answer from the committee to criticism by "The Press.” The writer stated his case and made his points. Why did not the committee reply? It |s no use indulging in this sort of criticism against a newspaper with the standard of "The Press.” It is no use taking it lightly. The Committee Supported Mr Dudley said he was amazed at the great emphasis that had been laid on statistics. He submitted that the figures given did support the contentions of the committee. "When doctors come and tell you of girls who should be purer than they are, you cannot put that into statistics,” hedeciared. "When young people are caught in the act of buying contraceptives, you cannot put that in the Year Book.” "What object had ‘The Press’ m writing such a leader?” he asked. "Surely it was not calculated to help the cause for moral reform. Was ‘The Press’ for us or against us? What was its object? ... I believe that the reply of the committee was a very effective one. It is impossible to get all statistics for moral delinquency, or for drunkenness, either, for that matter.” By way of explanation, Mr Drake said that his references were to the statement that appeared in "The Press” after Mr Dudley’s reply. The chairman said he believed that a sufficient answer had been given. Perhaps it was not sufficiently known, he said, that the committee’s statement had been based on the report of a man who had investigated the problem over a period of years. "That might have been stated more clearly,” he added, "but I don't see why we should give everything away to ‘The Press’.” A voice; They have the last word, anyway! Against Possible Censure It was suggested by Mr J. Horrell that Mr Silvester should withdraw his motion, as it might suggest censure of the Moral Reform Committee. The reply by "The Press,” in his opinion, had carried little weight. The Rev. A. Liverscdge; We should not make claims that we cannot justifHowcver, Mr Liversedge added, he was satisfied that the committee was doing good work. Mr Silvester agreed with Mr Dudley that the case for moral reform was stronger than any figures could indicate, and he concurred that his motion should be withdrawn. The chairman (to Synod): I hope you will all go back to your circuits alive to the evil that exists in this land. Mr Pratt: It is only fair to Mr Dudley to state that if he had been able to make a statement to Synod in private, there would not have been any grounds for criticism of the work of the committee. The motion was then formally withdrawn, and- the report of the committee was adopted.