CHILD DELINQUENCY

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 3, 28 September 1944, Page 6

CHILD DELINQUENCY

Problems Due To War Conditions PRINCIPAL OFFENCE THEFT “The war has certainly brought us additional problems with young people, but. the fact that these are largely due to war conditions must not be overlooked,” states the annual report of the Child Welfare branch, presented in the House of Representatives yesterday. The report adds that during the year ended March 31 last there was an increase of five only in the total number of children appearing before the courts—3O7G, as compared with 307.1 file previous year. 'This total included children brought up on all counts, including indigency, neglect, Jiving in detrimental environment, or not. under proper control, as well as for offences.

Ail those who appeared on account of specific charges for offences were grouped together, states the report, ami there was an increase of 47 in this group—2493 as against 24 IB the previous year. The principal offence still continued to lie theft. Of the total number of children appearing for offences, 3GB had appeared at some time previously for offences. The increase in the number appearing for offences did not. indicate an upward trend in delinquency generally, but accorded fairly closely with the increased population in the age-groups concerned. This increase was largely . accounted for by one class of offence—the breaking of telegraph insulators —which showed a rise from SB to 122. An analysis of the figures for theft, and wilful damage disclosed that these offences were more prevalent among boys than among girls and among Alnoris than among whites. Tim trend in nil groups with theft offences indicated (hat the important years were 1-1 to 111. with the peak at 15. The rates for wilful damage and mischief showed a tendency to increase in the 12 to 1-1 age group. In comparison with most other countries New Zealand had been fortunate in having such a small increase in juvenile delinquency during the war period. The report states that occasional newspaper reports that certain juvenile delinquents were State wards should not lead the public to assume that all State wards as such were given to delinquency. There was a tendency to associate the two ideas without real warrant, for the majority of State wards were committed to the care of the Slate through no fault of their own, and were not and probably never would be. delinquent.