SOMETHING WRONG.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1603, 21 November 1912, Page 4

SOMETHING WRONG.

DISTRESSING CASE. A RECENT ARRIVAL FROM ENGLAND. (By Tclceraph.—Picas Association.) ■ Chrlstchurch, November 20. A number of distressing features were brought out in a case which canie before Mr. H. W. Bishop, S.M., at the Magistrato's Court this afternoon, when Eva Mason, a girl of nineteen, 1 was charged with being an idle and disorderly person in that she had no lawful means of support. She appeared in court supported by tho matron of the Girls' Friendly Society, who had been endeavouring to tako care of her. The girl stated that on© of tho agents of the Kaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Company had engaged her in England to come out to New Zealand, offering her employment at 255. per week on condition that she stayed with the company for two years and paid back 2s. Cd. per week towards the cost of her fare. Sno further stated that she had made a contract with the companythrough advertisement in the Home newspapers. Her mother' knew that she was coming out. At this stage the girl broke down and wept Iritterly. The sub-inspector said that the mother of the girl had tried to stop her from coming to New Zealand. , In reply to a question by Mr. Eishop, tho matron said that the girl was not altogether truthful, although the statement she had made in Court coincided in most respects with her previous declarations. There were not many girls similar to accused who had .come out for the company. Mr. Bishop: There seems rometbing radically wrong with the system when a child only nineteen years of age can make a contract of that sort, presumably intended to be binding upon her. to come to New Zealand, and for it to be found that she is a degenerate, as in the case of a child only the other day, who is now in Sunnyside. They are brought into the country and are not suitable for the work they are brought out for, and so drift, and ultimately become a charge upon the Dominion. "This is a monstrous thing," continued Mr. Bishnp. "I am not referring to the company, but to the system. There is something radically wrong somewhere when these girls are induced to come to the country by means of advertisements which are probably made as attractive as possible." _ :. ■: Chief Detective Bishop: Twenfr-five shillings a week is a big thing at Home. The matron says this girl had only just left school. , _ ■ Mr. Bishop: She is degenerate. Did she sign that contract? • '~„.. The matron:\Yes.„ She, signed the contract and got another girl to sign a paper statins/that she was telling.the truth.. , Mr. Bishop: I would not say so much about it, but it is the .third case of this nature that has come >before. me within "the last few weeks. If this is the sort of stuff we're going to support it. is-time tho system stopped. I suppose somebody will find it his business to look into the matter. It is no business of mine. I had better order her to come up for sentence when called upon, on condition that 'she remains-with the Guls' Friendly Society until the matron finds suitable employment for her. Personally, I don t think people will take her, especially if they know her ■ antecedents. It is her misfortune, not her fault.