Miss Howard Wants To Meet Bodgies, Widgies

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28532, 11 March 1958, Page 14

Miss Howard Wants To Meet Bodgies, Widgies

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, March 10. The Minister of Social Welfare (Miss Howard) wants to meet some bodgies and widgies.

Miss Howard arrived in Auckland today on an informal visit. “I would like to call a meeting of youth organisations and bodgie leaders,” Miss Howard said. “We could discuss what the young people want out of life and where they think they are going. We have to give them an outlet for their energies inside, instead of outside, society.” She would support any plans to prevent vandalism by bringing young people into contact with groups or sporting clubs, Miss Howard said, but she was against treating vandalism with kid gloves, once it had occurred. “It’s all very well to blame thle parents,” she said, “but when -a boy reaches the age of 18 the

damage has been done, and if he breaks the law he must be dealt with firmly.” Miss Howard said she did not believe vandalism was worse in Auckland than in other centres, but she did think it was increasing throughout the country. Bodgies had never been heard of when she was last a Cabinet Minister.

“What can you expect when the country is flooded with horror films and murder books,” Miss Howard said. “Even in the Parliamentary Library, 19 out of 20 books are murder stories.”