NEW ZEALAND. SIR JOHN KIRK IMPRESSED. CARE OF CHILD LIFE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 73, 26 March 1912, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND. SIR JOHN KIRK IMPRESSED. CARE OF CHILD LIFE.

[FEOM OCR OWN COHUESPONDENT.] LONDON, 16th February. Sir John Kirk, the secretary of the Ragged School Union, admits that he is greatly impressed with Now Zealand. With her undeveloped resources and immense possibilities he considers tha Dominion at present to be one of the finest countries in the world, and he predicts a great future. As representing the Evening Post, Sir John gave me a cordial welcome. He said ho ha 4to thank the press of Now Zealand for riiany kindnesses, and he was glad of tho opportunity to return his thanke. _ He had' an excellent timo in Ihe Dominion. "I was told before 1 went," he said, "that I should find New Zealand very much like England. I remarked that no better praise could be accorded, and I found it as I expected. There is the utmost loyalty to the Old Land, every variciy of scenery, boundless opportunities for development, and good climate. The Britisher can go to no better land. ;"I wa« particularly struck with the air of comfort about the- towns, especially Christchurch, and the social atmosphere was very pleasant indeed. Owing to the exigencies of time, I had to limit my visit mainly to the cities, but I found an opportunity to visit far-famed Uotorua.. "My visit was filled with political excitement. The elections -were on, and the discussion around the burning question of prohibition made me realise how far New Zealand was in advance of the Old Country in recognising the need for legislation. "The ca-rc of child life was manifest everywhere, and the system of education excellent. Tb& solicitude for the neglected or the handicapped child is very apparent, and I wondered to see so many orphanages and homes in a new community a-nd to find that so many , children needed the fostering cave of others than their parents. It chows, however, that the community realises the value of the child and is prepared to meet the needs to the utmost extent. CRAZE FOR LEGISLATION. *'I waa conscious of what I may call the craze for legislation in every conceivable element of the community. I do nob know whether it i» altogether wise. It destroys the individuality and initiative of a nation^ — virtues which, I believe, have characterised the British race in the past. There is no doubt tluit the idea is good, and if your neighbour's orchard trees indicate age, and possibly parasitism, it is a fitting thing, I suppose, to pass a law thait they shall be subject to official inspection and bo condemned if considered by the officials to be in any way detrimental to their neighbours' trees. " I like the ideals, however, and give Now Zealand every credit for them. The people there have the chance because they- have not the legacies of the past with which to contend like England has. They are trying experiments, and they can do bo with impunity. And witn, these expeiiments the country is going on prospering and the community is growing more wealthy and comfortable. "I hoard complaints about the socalled tyranny of the Labour unions. I feel that credit ought to be given to the men for a higb ideal. It is a grand thing when a man will eland by hiß brother workman and if one member ■uffers, then all ehall suffer alike. "In New Zealand there is a desire for population, but the Government is apparently not taking active steps to promote it." Sir John is hopeful, though', that Australia will receive ,the young, people who como under the auspices ot the Ragged School Union, and a. scheme is now -under consideration.