The Dominion. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1916. THE SPIRIT OF INSUBORDINATION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2944, 2 December 1916, Page 4

The Dominion. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1916. THE SPIRIT OF INSUBORDINATION

The story of the downfall of a young girl, which was told at tho Auckland Police Court a few- days ago, has directed attention to ono •of the ugliest aspects of modern city life. The case presented some sensational, features which secured for it a good deal of public notice, but unfortunately the 'evil to which it drew attention is only too prevalent in all the large centres of population in New 'Zealand. The Auckland Probation- Officer (the Rev. F. E. Jeffreys) states that for every one of these cases which comes into tho prominence of the-Police Court, there are fully a dozen others equally sad that the public never hear of. In his work in Auckland he has come across some of the most tragic cases he has ever met with, and ho says that all sotoal workers have had somewhat similar experiences. The impatience of all. forms of restraint displayed by girls, and the many temptations which beset their path, have'.bceh the subject of a considerable amount of discussion in the Auckland papers. Most competent observers are of opinion that lack of parental control is mainly responsible for the spirit of insubordination which has taken such a strong hold upon our young people. Many of them are simply running wild. They do just what they like, and will brook no interference from parents or elders. Adjutant Gordon, o'f the Salvation Army, declares that she comes across "countless cases of mothers who complain that little mites of six and eight absolutely defy them, and are already out of control." During the last fifty years great changes have taken place in the home life of the people, and m'any of tho parents of to-day have themselves grown up without much restraint upon the natural desire' to have one's own way. It is not surprising that such fathers and mothers are unablo to govern, their children. After one or two ineffectual attempts to discipline a wilful child they give up in despair and jump to the conclusion that the child- is ungovernable. Many, parents do not seem to realise that a child requires to be trained and controlled from infancy. Too many fathers and mothers allow their children to do just what they like until the spirit of wilfulness has got too.firm a hold to be easily eradicated. The wholesome influences and restrictions of homo and family soon become galling to the undisciplined child who wants- to roam abroad and naturally seeks the comradeship of kindred spirits. In this way tho wandering habit, which has been the downfall of so many promising girls, is formed. These restless young people who wander about the streets by day and by night have created a social problem of great difficulty. Tho community is beginning to realise that it cannot be ignored. A number of excellent institutions for girls have been established, but it is by no means easy to induce tho young, people who need protection most to make use' of the help that may be theirs for the asking. Why are these hostols not crowded? In answer to this question the matron of a Girls' Friendly Society Lodgo states that her hostel closes at ten, and tho girl who thinks more of her liberty than her good name will not stand this restriction, and prefers.' to live where she can do just what she pleases. The result is that girls in their'teens are- to be seen parading tho city streets at all hours of the night. To quote,the words of Mr. . Jeffreys, they are allowed "to make any fricnds_ they like, to go where they like, with the result that every now and then some case, just a little more distressing than a score of similar ones, comes before public attention." This phaso of the social problem will not be solved by improvements in street lighting, by raising the ago of consent, or by indicting severer punishment on men who ruin young girls. These measures may be profitable and necessary.. They may afford a certaiu amount of protection, and may make the way of the transgressor more hard. But they do not go to tho root of tho evil. In looking for a solution of the problem we must bear iu mind that wo are- living in a period of transition, and that wo cannot put back the hands of the cloek. Allowance must bo made for tho far-

reaching changes in social and industrial conditions which have taken place during tho past halfccutury. The sphere of women has been greatly enlarged. They have beeushaken out of the old grooves by circumstances over which they have had no control. Thousands of women have been compelled to go out into tho world to seek a livelihood for themselves; while thousothers baveieft the home in a spirit of adventure. Some have been forced to bo independent simply because they havo no ono on whom they can depend; others have gone out to earn their own living through sheer love of independence. The whole civilised' world is pervaded by a feeling of unsottlement and uncertainty, and this general restlessness is at present more acute among tho womenfolk than among tho men. The women have not yet become accustomed to their newfound liberty, and it is not wonderful that it should prove disastrous to some of them. It is highly desirable that in the home and in the school they should be prepared for the new experiences which lie-be-fore them. The maintenance of a high standard of home and family life-is of supremo importance. Some changes in the type of home life, and in the relations between parents and children, may bo inevitable, but such changes need not necessarily, bo for'' the worse. It is becoming more and more certain that character-building must 'be given the highest place in our education system. Scientific knowledge and technical instruction are of great importance. They must not be neglected. But the ' fate of a nation ultimately.depends upon the character- of its people. The undisciplined child is a menace to the community. Freedom and liberty are noble words, but false notions regarding their meaning are'unfortunately much too prevalent. Many of our young peoplo seem to be growing up with the idea that freedom consists in doing what one , likes. They do not see much difference between liberty and lawlessness. They should- be shown that discipline is not incompatible with freedom, and that without clue obedience to properly constituted authority true liberty cannot exist. Never in the history of our race has it been more needful to teach the rising generation "the perfect law of liberty." If the young people arc not taught it at home and at school, whore else can they learn it 9