N.Z. SAID TO BE IN TURMOIL OVER JUVENILE DELINQUENCY

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27466, 28 September 1954, Page 11

N.Z. SAID TO BE IN TURMOIL OVER JUVENILE DELINQUENCY

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

LONDON, September 26. There is no doubt that the average New Zealander feels he has been sadly let down by his young folk, says James Brittain in an article m the “News Chronicle,” discussing the New Zealand delinquency report under the heading “The Ugly Things that happen in a Lovely Land.” The introduction to the article says that “New Zealand has been thrown into a turmoil by revelations of juvenile immorality. Public opinion is outraged and the Government is dissays that New Zealand’s pride has been sorely struck by the welter of unenviable publicity it nas lately been receiving. “This test tube baby of the welfare State has long been happy to be known to the world for its excellent dairy produce, thermal wonders, volcanoes, and, above all, for its highly idealised athletes and Rugby footballers. It has bemused itself with the comforting idea that it is a place apart. “It is eager to be seen as a nation of natient, industrious farmers, gazing from the saddle at sleek sheep, mustering in the distant hills, and cleraeyed youths and maidens playing their healthy games and untainted by sm and sordidness.

"Sadly Let Down” “In its preoccupation it has tended to forget that its young people might show that they, too, are only human after all. Wiser adults, remembering their own days, are trying to maintain the proper perspective, but there is no doubt that the average New Zealander feels he has been sadly let down by his young folk.” Brittain says that thousands of New Zealand homes are accepting the fact that the whole pattern of their easygoing way of life must change. “The working mother, on whom the special committee of investigation has pinned much of the blame for the current wave of adolescent immorality in New Zealand, is accustoming herself to the idea that she must give up that easy job checking nylons or packing lipsticks that brought her in £8 to £lO a week.

“This means that there will be less money for parties and for betting. It will mean that more parents will spend

more time at home, and it *JU mein that more boys and girls will not )?e left so much to their own devices. “The average New Zealand working, man enjoys a standard of life that ill variably staggers his cou "^ rp f e r a t 1 ing from England. The jealousy guarded 40-hour week gives all Saturday and Sunday, and Monday, too, if he chooses to take the day off for. SP “Only now. have some parents be« n ,' jolted from their own pleasures to discover that their children s pursuits are. not so innocent as they f °7 d Z, ined; that their boys and girls have too. much money, and too little that is worth-while to spend it on, and too. much idle time on their hands. Inevitably some ha ye drifted into dello -- quency. , , £ .4 ' “It must not be thought there has been a kicking over the traces Tn every home where there are adolescents. In the main the Zealander is a healthy and weli-tte-' haved youngster, delighting m _ clean and uncommercialised sport. But jn the very freedom for young peprte which is inherent in the New Zealand, way of life there are dangers. 5 1

Effect of Licensing Laws“There is surprise here that the com-, mittee has reserved the most stricture for the working mother, and let off the* father comparatively lightly. ■ “Thoughtful people wonder D<tw much the restricted licensing boUrs! contribute to the atmosphere of str«n in the home where juvenile delinquency flourishes. “As on the Australian pattern, New Zealand pub is a bare, comfort--less bar, which from 5 p.m. is packed'! with men from work, mostly determined to drink as much beer as possible before 6 p.m., closing time. Map? limit their drinking, but undeniably: many join the family half drunk and. quarrelsome. * ■ “There is plenty of work for boys and girls delivering newspapers -or helping as assistants in shops after school hours. An hour or two of work will earn a child £1 or more, and’ there is no national campaign to en-? courage them to save. Indeed, thnfti is a useless virtue in this welfare,! State, where too much money in tne bank may jeopardise the full pension* when the time comes to draw it.” *. j