PUNISHMENT OF GIRLS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 65, 10 December 1907, Page 7

PUNISHMENT OF GIRLS.

■■ TE ORANGA INCIDENT CRITICISED. (BY- TEI/EOKArH—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Auckland, December i). ", The Hon. George Fowlds is coming in for loirio sovoro, criticism in connection with tho le Oranga. Homo flogging case, and dire threats are uttered as to his bsing unseated when tlto opportunity arrives. For example; et a recent meeting of the Women's Political League much indignation was expressed at tho discloaiires made.

A nowspapor correspondent significantly signing himself "Elector," -writos as follows:—Mr. Fowlds did not improve matters at tho Ponspnby Hall meeting. Ho care-fully-avoided replying to tho question as to his pov/or to order young women to bo flogged, and as a means of punishment to havo their hair cropped. Can any of your readors enlighten mo upon tho following points? ' (1) .What regulations give Wr. Fowlds the power to order tho flogging and the haircropping ? (2) If any siich regulations exist (which I doubt) who framed such regulation? On top of these pertinont questions another letter writor launches tho following bolt apon •■ the head of the Minister -.—The disgraceful proceeding of flogging yoiing women by' ordor of the .Minister for Education is not ■ to Jbo disposed of so easily, as the , Minister supposes. -According to the report in tho "Herald". Mr. Fowlds-claims this >mcthod-of punishment produces the greatest possible success upon its recipients. .Thon ','yh'y discontinue'it? .Yot the next moment hoexpresses his/desire-'to prevent its repetition. Again hp continues to speak in. the highest terras of the manager of To Orangi Homo, but this is quite unnecessary, for we do not: blamo her, but, Mr. Fowlds* Then as to his i expressed willingness to treat his own daughtors in tho same: way under similar circumstances, rib orio will believe that, cer'tainly not thQ.,Vriter'. '.T.he,fact';is tho flogging of a young woman,of 19 was as unjustifiablo and wrong a proceeding as a Cabinet Minister ever attempted to dofend, and although be can preach sormons and lay tho foundation stones of Congregational Churches it will probably cost him his seat'at the next election/" , . '; :, . •