Against Adopting Asian Children

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31086, 15 June 1966, Page 2

Against Adopting Asian Children

New Zealand is obliged to solve her internal adoption problem before considering the adoption of Asian children.

This was the unanimous finding of a panel of seven speakers from several women’s organisations who discussed the issue at a public meeting on Monday. They agreed the only solution was to support the children in Asia.

The meeing was called by the Christchurch branch of the United Nations Association to acknowledge United Nations Children’s Day, celebrated on June 2 in many countries. Members of the panel were Miss P. O’Reilly, Mesdames W. Oakley, G. Lyall, H. Garrett, N. F. Roberts, G. M. Samson and C. J. Ashley. In all cases of adoption, the needs of the child should be the first consideration, said

Mrs W. Oakley (Hororata W.D.F.F.). She was supported by other members of the panel. “If the child grows up and finds he is not completely acceptable he has paid too high a price for clothing and a full belly,” said Mrs Oakley. European children, once they knew English, looked like New Zealand children and would be accepted by them, but Asian children would always look like Asians.

“Children are great conformists and want to be like other children,” said Mrs Garrett (National Party). It is very difficult for children to grow up with others whom they know they can never be like. They would be happier in their own environment, even if it means that they will have less food.” Asian children were worthy of adoption, but many factors would have to be considered before they could be taken into the country in large numbers, said Mrs Ashley (National Council of Women). "Our first duty is to our own part-Maori orphans and all the other illegitimate children in New Zealand,” she said. Mrs Roberts (National Council of Churches) cited the example of the council in bringing about 40 Hong Kong orphans to New Zealand about two years ago. The children had been adopted and absorbed into New Zealand families. No major problems of adjustment had been reported although some of the children were considered older than the optimum age for an adoption under such circumstances.

However the director of the International Social Services in Hong Kong, who arranged the adoptions, considered overseas adoption as a last

resort, said Mrs Roberts. If a child’s parents could not be found, investigations were made to see if it could be reared by a relative and if there was none available the possibility of adoption in the child’s own country was explored. Mrs Samson said the money spent to support one child in New Zealand would support dozens of children in their own countries.

Although the panel agreed on the adoption issue there

were dissenters In the audience. One member said prejudice existed in New Zealand through lack of experience of other races. The adoption of children from other countries would be an exercise in human relations. Another member of the audience said that New Zealand would not solve her internal adoption problem by “not adopting” children from Asian countries. Adoption of such children could bridge the. gap between nations.