CHILDREN’S COURTS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 210, 1 June 1929, Page 13

CHILDREN’S COURTS

WHAT THE MAGISTRATES THINK REPLIES TO MINISTER’S QUESTIONNAIRE COMPREHENSIVE INQUIRY Valuable information as to the working of the Children’s Courts In New Zealand has been gathered by the Minister of Justice (Hon. T. M. Wilford) as a result of the replies given to tne six questions on the subject which he recently submitted to the presiding Magistrates. , The Minister said he had received replies from twenty-six Magistrates who were circularised, and had prepared a precis of their answers, Having relation to the questions presented. He intended now to obtain the opinion of the Commissioner of Police, through bls officers who were concerned, and he had written to the Minister of Education, whose Department had control of the Child Welfare Branch, asking him if he would add to the deductions arrived at the opinions of the Child Welfare officers of the Education Department. The questions, together with the replies, were as under:-—

Question I.—ls it wise to presume that in all cases, irrespective of the nature of the offences and the public interests involved, the Press should be excluded? Twenty-three answer “No." Three answer “Yes.” Question 2.—Should the offender’s name be suppressed in all cases, irrespective of the offence, the temperament of the offender, and his attempts to inculpate others? Sixteen answer “No.” Eight answer “Yes.” Two are indefinite.

Question 3.—Should the offender be brought into a room, shorn of all the appearance of the surroundings of a court, irrespective of the offence and the offender’s bearing towards authority and the country’s ideals? Eighteen answer “No.” Four answer ‘“Yes.” Four are indefinite. Question 4.—When charged with housebreaking, burglary, or other serious offences, should young persons above the age of fourteen years be brought before the Children’s Court to be dealt with? i' Five answer “No.” Nine answer “Yes.” Elevon say the power to commit to the Supreme Court should be retained. One is indefinite.

Question s.—Are' the Press excluded in your Court?

Fourteen answer “No.” Nine answer “Yes.” Three are indefinite. Question 6.—Do the police appear in uniform? Five answer “No.” Fourteen answer “Yes.” ' Seven are indefinite.

The Minister, added that apart, from the foregoing’questions, seven Magistrates urged that they should have power to order a birching, while four Magistrates suggested that power should be given the Children’s Courts to commit to Borstal institutions in indictable cases. \