ADOLESCENTS’ MORALS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27407, 21 July 1954, Page 11

ADOLESCENTS’ MORALS

CABINET DECISION ON INQUIRY DR. O. C. MAZENGARB, Q.C., TO HEAD COMMITTEE (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. July 20. Dr. O. C. Mazengarb, Q.C.. will b'< chairman of the committee to be set up by the Government to inquire into juvenile delinquency. Announcing this today, the chairman of the

Cabinet committee, the Minister of Customs (Mr C. M. Bowden) said it was unlikely that any children would be called before the committee of inquiry. Its sittings might begin in about a fortnight. Mr Bowden said the other members of the committee had not yet been selected. “There is already in the hands of the Government sufficient information to give a fair indication of the nature of the problem, but the main duty of the committee will be to inquire into the conditions and influences that tend to undermine standards of sexual morality of children and adolescents in New Zealand and the extent to which such conditions and influences are operative,” Mr Bowden said. Mr Bowden said the proceedings of the committee would be held in private, and it was not intended that their sittings should be open to the press. Persons who felt they had a contribution to make or who desired to make suggestions or recommendations were invited to appear in person or to submit their suggestions in writing. The committee, Mr Bowden said, would make retommendations to the Government for positive action by both public and private agencies. Its report would be released by the Government to the public.

FIVE YOUTHS APPEAR IN COURT

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 30. Five 17-year-old youths, who appeared before Mr W. H. Carson, S.M., in the Lower Hutt Magistrate's Court today, on a total of 10 charges, were remanded to appear in the Children's Court. One youth faces three charges of unlawful carnal knowledge of a l«-year-old girl, and another three charges of indecently assaulting a girl aged 13 years nine months. A third defendant faces two charges of indecently assaulting girls aged 12 and 13 years. The two other youths face one charge respectively of unlawful carnal knowledge of a 14-year-old girl end indecent assault on a 13-year-old girl.