CHILDREN'S CHARTER

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 108, 8 May 1937, Page 11

CHILDREN'S CHARTER

FIRST CONSIDERATION

APPEAL TO LABOUR

An appeal to the members of the Labour Party .and trade unionists to support' the King George the Fifth, National. Memorial Fund, which is to be devoted to the establishment of children's permanent health camps, was made by Mr. James Roberts, the president of the New Zealand Labour Party, in an interview today.

Mr. Eoberts said that the memorial which had been proposed was particur larly fitting. In his opinion the real test of a.nation's'economic and social status rested on three things:—lts'provision for,' the* old folk, its treatment. of its wpmen, and its .attitude towards the ..children. '.In the. Health Camp Movement New Zealanders were recognising 'their •obligations-to the children," and he was sure -that everyone, irrespective- of party or creed, would ■recognise" that their first duty was'towards the children. '

"The children are our-first consideration," said Miy Roberts, "and anything that can be done to''eliminate suffering and increase their health -and happme§s has my- fervent''support. Few New Zealanders realise that this country, in common with fifty-three other nations, is bound by a declaration'iwh'ich .has'fi'ghtl'y; become- known as the Children's Charter. This declaration was signed by the members iof the League of Nations at the General Assembly1 held in Geneva iin 1924," and I think that it is fitting that, during this present -appeal, it should be brought under the notice of the ipublic. The declaration reads as follows: —

1. The child must be given the means for its normal development,- both materially and spiritually.;

2. The child1 that' is hungry must ba fed; the child that is sick must be nursed; the child that is , backward must be helped'; the delinquent child must be"reclaimed;'and the orphan and the waif must be sheltered and succoured; V '■■■.' . ..': "V '

•■ .3.-The child:mustbe the first to receive relief in times of ■ distress.

4. The child must be put in a position to earriia livelihood, and must bs-, protected- against every form of exploitation. .• , '-; ■■/■. -;• -■

5. The child.should, be brought up in the consciousness that its talents are to»'be;.useful' in .the service of its fel-low-men. ' ' '■' ■' :- .' ' "

"Let us worlt together to realise to the full the letter, and the spirit of this declaration^- The memorial to the late King gives us an opportunity to play our part towards* fulfilling the ideals, of the: Charter in ,this Dominion, and I am sure ttia't' it will appeal to all members of the Labour Party and trade unionists." :