PUNISHMENT OF GIRLS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 57, 30 November 1907, Page 6

PUNISHMENT OF GIRLS.

PROTEST BY THE W.C.T.U. Ghnstchurch, November 29. ; At a meeting of tht; Christ-church Women's Christian Temperance "Union, held on Wednesday, a vigorous discussion took place concerning tho'recent To Oranga Homo trouble, and tho following resolutions were passed: — (1) That this Union strongly protests against the inhuman system of punishment as practised at tho To Oranga Homo, as savouring more of barbaric times than tho twentieth century. ■ Tho "Union considers that it is degrading and humiliating tho unfortunate girl inmates in their own eyes, and in those of ■ their companions. By flogging, cutting offtho hair, cell, punishment, N and similar brutalities, incalculable harm is done in many ways, .arid such-treatment of girls is an insult to tho womanhood of tho Dominion, and should not bo tolerated by Now-Zealand citizens. (2) Tho Union calls upon tho Minister of Education'to alter these barbaric practices by introducing a moro scientific and enlightened, system, and so allow tho monitors to feel assured that his act-ion in all such matters is in the direction .of justice and. humanity. (3) That tho recent circumstance only' omphasises .the necessity for local Boards 'of control, composed of men-.and. women, which havo often been asked for by this Union And other women's Societies. This Union also emphasises the' great need for careful classification of tho . inmates. (4) That a veto of thanks bo accorded to the oditor of the " Lyttelton Timos " for his consistent and able advocacy of a moro humane and enlightened system of managoment-'in connection with Te. Oranga Home and other Stato institutions. Auckland, November 29. Interviewed to-day in 'regard to the Te Oianga Home, the Hon. 6. Fowlds defended t-hrf administration of that institution. As to the alleged flogging, lie said it was no moro than slight, strapping. As to the hair, cutting, lie said that punishment was never adopted in regard to the older girls. Neither of these forms of punishment would ever be necessary if t-liey had a proper system of classification. To provide this another building was required at To Oranga, and it was proposed to erect one.