STATE CHILDREN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIX, Issue 13122, 9 May 1903, Page 6

STATE CHILDREN.

The interest that has been roused * by recent addresses on the neglected children problem was shown by the surprisingly large attendance at the meeting held last 1 night in the Alexandra Hall. The object of the agitation, of course, is to force upon the attention of Parliament the need-for a very material reform in the attitude of the .(State towards its children. The proposals "are reasonable enough. At present there is no public authority directly responsible for the prediction of children. The Charitable Aid' Boards do provide a pittance, possibly sufficient, for the support of destitute children in some oases that are brought under their notice; the police taka action when children display criminal tendencies or when the parents are of notori- ■ ously vicious and drunken habits; but bev yond that the protection of the child ia left to private philanthropic bodies, like the local Children’s Aid Society, illprovided with funds and invested with absolutely no authority to interfere. The position should only have to be stated to induce the Government to take immediate and decided action. It seems to be a question of money j at the "speakers \

last night’s meeting took that -view. But few thousand pounds yearly would finance i thoroughly adequate and efficient system »f supervision, inspection; and control. The Children’s Aid S'ociety proposes the creation of , new authorities in each charitable aid district, public bodies consisting of members nominated -directly by the State ’or elected by local bodies and Education Boards, and empowered to appoint inspectors, supervise licensed . adoption, homes, authorise adoptions, prosecute for cruelty or neglect of children, and so forth. These bodies,< too, could and should bo made the controlling authorities for institutions like the Burnham School and the Te Oranga Home. Being directly interested in the training of Stale children, they would naturally have the advice and assistance of enthusiasts and experts —not always the Earns people, by the way—and to them should he entrusted the administration of jn Act similar, to that now in force in South Australia. Some of the speakers last night said hard things concerning the Minister of Education. Wo confess it is times difficult to interest Mr Walker in social reform movements, but he can scarcely ignore the resolutions adopted at last night’s meeting, and at any rate, the Premier has a warm place in his heart for children. Parliament ought to take some iction and that without delay, and we trust that the Canterbury members will unite to force this non-party question, to the front during the coming session.