ADOPTION OF CHILDREN

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 140, 14 June 1924, Page 15

ADOPTION OF CHILDREN

LEGISLATION IN GREAT BRITAIN /■ ■

NEW ZEALAND AS A PRECEDENT.

(FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

LONDON, 27th March. In the current 'number of "The Lancet" the "Adoption of Children" is a subject dealt, with in the editorial columns, and the writer finds in New Zealand Jegislation an object lesson for the Mother Country. "Over forty years ago," it is explained, "New Zealand legislated for adoption of children. Unlike the laws .of ancient Rome; which mainly studied the provision of heirs for childless parents, the legislation, of modern communities on this subject is chiefly concerned with the welfare of the child. New Zealand had realised th'nt foster-parents can give the same care and affection' to an adopted son. or daughter as the natural parents themselves, and that, where this is the case, it may be "advisable to give legal security to the relationship between foster parent and adopted child. Otherwise when a child lias been removed . from the control of unworthy and disrep.utable parents and placed witli persons who give it proper care and often spend considerable. sums upon its education, the original parents can disturb its well-being and its prospects by reclaiming it from the family in which it may be happily settled. Readers of Mr. Kipling's story, 'Friendly Brook,' may,- consider'his picture of the disreputable father blackmailing the family into which his child has been adopted to be uncomfortably close to the ■ truth. Other countries have passed adoption laws similar to those of New1 Zealand. Possibly the war stimulated such legislation. Italy, at any rate, made special provision in 1919 for the' adoption of war orphans. Since that year, within the Empire, British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Tasmania have passed ;Acts giving lesal recognition to adoption. And now the Mother of Parliaments has before her at tlie present moment three Bills all dealino; with the adoption of children, and all emphasising the principle that adoption is not to be sanctioned' unless it ■is likely to promote the welfare of the child." . *

The/respective merits, of three Bills now introduced into the Home Parliament and dealing'with the subject of adoption are considered in detail by "The Lancet." Of thnse three Bills it is stated that that of Sir Thomas Inskip is the shortest and, therefore, in present Parliamentary conditions, the most hopeful. He would simply enact: that parents or guardians may transfer their authorities and duties in respect'of a child,' sub/set to' the approval of » County Cpurt or a High Court Judge. In concluding/the writer of the article affirms that "competent observers of the working of the Adoption of Children Act in New Zealand; where the original provisions of 1881 were simplified . in 1895, and have . since been further amended in "the light of experience, claim that it is a success from every point of view. It has been estimated that in a large proportion of cases the adoption orders relate to illegitimate children. .The child benefits, by obtaining a continuous) home life, an environment equal to"'jthat of an ordinary legitimate, child, and a proper chance of becoming a useful citizen. The adopting parents, perhaps childless, obtain a son or daughter whom they can re sard and care'for as their owp. The State is relieved of the possible burden' of maintaining the child, j New Zealand, makes provision for rescinding adoption orders in unsatisfactory cases, but i^ is stated that the percentage of these is very small. The social conditions-and the legislative requirements of great -pioneer .communities overseas are not always identical with those of the Home country-; but ■ England cannot' afford to dispense with any measure which will better the welfare and the chances \. of children who will, otherwise be neglected and ; handicapped unfairly, in their -upbringing. The association of illegitimacy with many deplorable and intractable conditions which come under medical notice ; should ensure, for a proper method of adoption, the support oi our profession."; ■ , .