THE MINISTER'S VIEWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 168, 9 April 1908, Page 9

THE MINISTER'S VIEWS.

NECESSITY -FOB CLASSIFICATION . RECOGNISED. 'fHT,^r.I.EOKAPII—J'ItESS ASSOCIATIOX.) (j > Dunedin, April S. The Holi. G. Fowlds, interviewed re Mr. Bishop's report,'said-'ho was surprised and pleased to.lind after such a searching investigation to litslo had been discovered ■ calling for, adverse comment. The most vital point in the finding was the necessity for providing more efficient means .of classification. As the Commissioner forcibly remarked: —"The marvel is. that the results ar'o as good as they are." A commission was not necessary to show him (Mr. _ .Fowlds) the necessity for making .provision for better classification of,the girls committed to To Oranga, nnd on the occasion of'his first visit to the Institution months ago ho saw how desirable it was'to havo an additional building for the purpose. ,lle at'once ordered the preparation of plans aiid specifications, but tho first plans submitted involved an , expenditure of'over £7000, '.which was a good deal moro. than ho could find out of last year's building vote. He had, thereforo, to arrange for modified plans. ThOse were practically ready-when tno . outcry against the Institution took place'. The question lof making suitable provision for • classification , ( of inmates would; now. ho submitted to his colleagues without delay. - ' /" '> PUNISHMENT. .. , Regarding corporal punishment and'cutting tho hair off. two girls, Mr. Fowlds pointed out that he had, iii an interview in, Auckland, stated:—"Neither of these two modes of punishment will; bo' required when we secure; mopb. effective classification. by means of a separate third-class /building." Mr. Fowlds mentioned' lie was miming counter to the opinion of thoso who tiave had most 'extensive)' experience in .dealing with, the class of girls committed to Te Oranga and similar institutions." The department, as well as himself; had always been opposed to corporal punishment, but the : unanimous opinion of those responsible for the actual management of the institutions was' that thri' uso' of the strap and hair-cutting were■ ■absolutely' necessary in ; extreme-cases. Ho had been informed that .in'; similar* institutions in' America'cororal punishment. had' been. abandoned,' but after a lapse of. fivo years, liad to bo. resorted to again .as • the bnly corrective moans in extreme cases:, . .. , SUGGESTIONS .AS- TO CLASSIFICATION. Tho Commissioner' had very properly. commended ' tho suggestion's ..as: t<f classification by' Mr. Srfiail, Cliristchurch, .city missioncr. He had frequently ..discussed the, matte? with him,land tho,;Smail system of elassificatibn adopted by ; tho. department was ; in practical accord with' Mr.; Smail's evidence., 'There would .be, 0110, 'department for reception or observation .classes, from which ilioso who respond to ( tho ..sympathetic treatment they receive Will bo moved into the first-class, and what' would ,bo known'/as. third-class would be incorrigibles. The Commissioner had very properly condemned, cortain . minor, the ' iiitornal management >, of tho Home,\ wlich would .receive . immediate attention, ,Th<?i Commissioner's report proved conclusively that complaints .regarding the food and physical 'exercises of tho. girls wore absolutely unwarranted. It was- very/gratifying that 'Mr. i Bishop-.should. 'h'rivo personal knowledge as' a stipendiary magistrate of the girls com'mitted, :aud was able .to'say lie.''considered the./issulte',diptinc,tl.v-:<sgo6d.-' Mr, Fowlds said' in conclusion: Tho management that.eanprodiico such results from 'the materials described by the- Commissioner must stand approv.ed in'the ,judgmont of- all right-minded, unbiased people." . / .(■