MR. BELL IN REPLY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 75, 30 March 1914, Page 8

MR. BELL IN REPLY

DEFENDING THE IMMIGRANTS. In reply to the&e and other representations, the Minister expressed regret (U the absence of the Minister of Justin' (Hon. A. L. Hcrdnian). If he hrd known Mr. Herd man was in town lie would have asked him to be present. There were two classes of immigrants to New Zealand, both men and women, and it was only with a very small class that the Government was concerned. The 'Government had no control over those who booked their own passages and were not beholden to the Govern-ment-for assistance, nor was it responsible in any way for their conduct. As to those whom the Government, through the High Commissioner, assisted to como to New Zealand, ho said : "It is my business to defend these people* and I will defend them. 1 will not have it said that there is any proportion of them who are of anything but good character. I know the contrary, and I want you to understand that anyone who says the reverse to that is my enemy, to this extent, that I will contradict it and contravene it whenever I get the opportunity, because the girls have no one to defend them but myself." ' He urged that the system of obtaining references for assisted immigrants was as complete as it could be, and as to the matrons in charge on the ships, he said they were in mahy cases coining out under engagement as nurses to the Health Hepartment or the Mental Hospitals Department, and thus had a dual responsibility. "I stand by the matrons and defend them," he declared, "and I .say it is not fair to say that in practically every case they are not competent women." As to preventing the girls landing where they liked, he said nothing could prevent them breaking their contract ; they could not be sent lo prison for doing so. PROCURATION AND SEDUCTION. A's to other matters' which did not affect his Derailment, he could only express his, own view and not the view of the Government us a whole No f to jgrnment in the world could stop seduo-

tion. "That is tho business of the mothers. Mothers must look after their daughters, and girls, must protect themselves." As to procuration, he said the deputation had a perfect right to bring the subject under the notice of the Goveininent, and he added : "So far as I am concerned, and I feel sure I may say so far as every one. of my colleagues is concerned, we will stamp it out ; and we will not have it said that, because it does not exist to the extent that may be suggested, its mere existence in the countiyis not a disgrace to everyone in authority who by any negligence permitted it to continue. I feel sure you may accept that from myself, though 1 haye no authority in this matter, as being the expression of not only my own opinion, but of the determination of the Government. 1 ' AGE OF CONSENT. With regard to the age of consent, Dr. Platts-Mills had suggested that men were reluctant to deal with this question. That was because women did not understand that men, while anxious to protect children, did not believe that ill all cases it was entirely the fault of the young man, "and it is because of the danger of your sons that men are reluctant to go so far with the criminal law as to prevent danger to your daughters." He agreed, however, that the age should _be extended in cases where the protection of the roof had been invaded ( by a person who had a duty to the girl or where such relation existed ac gave a man any semblance of authority or opportunity. WOMEN POLICE. He was in favour of the naturalisation proposal of the deputation. As to women police, he had suggested the scheme put forward by the late Mr. Seddon when he (Mr. Bell) was, Crown Prosecutor; and Mr. Seddon brought in i> Bill providing for the appointment of women who would have authority over girls in the streets. Unfortunately, Mr. Seddon referred to them as "discreet" women, and because of the gibee that ensued the Bill failed. It would, however, be seen that he wa« in sympathy with the proposal, but he had no authority to deal with it; and could not commit the Government.