DAMAGE BY CHILDREN

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30062, 21 February 1963, Page 16

DAMAGE BY CHILDREN

Absconders From Homes

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Feb. 20. Damage done by children who abscond from homes run by the Child Welfare Division is causing concern to the Auckland provincial executive of Federated Farmers.

The executive directed its secretary to inquire from the Justice Department ' who is legally responsible for damage done by children who abscond from homes.

Mr R. Brown spoke of a Northland farmer whose stock had been injured by four boys who had absconded from a home in Lower Hutt. The children and their parents had been ordered to make restitution to the farmer, but as the children were very young and their parents disclaimed responsibility, he had received nothing. Since the Child Welfare Division had not been prepared to make restitution, the farmer would be forced to institute legal proceedings against the parents. “It seems unjust that a man should have to go to all this trouble," Mr Brown said. “After all, the children appear to be in the care ot the Government, not their parents.”

Any fool can paint a picture, but it takes a wise man to be able to sell It—Samuel Butler.