“THIS FREEDOM.”

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 245, 14 September 1938, Page 2

“THIS FREEDOM.”

(To tlie Editor.) Sir,—There-is a terrible lot of legislation relating to everything except the amount 'of freedom allowed. a mother in the bringing, up of a young family. I happen to have three children under the age of four years, and believe me, I'wonder if it is any use increasing the population of which we hear so much' if my neighbours watch and peep over gates and from behind hedges, and report to the police every time my little ones stray outside my own gate. In fact, it has got to such a pass, they have been reported to bo found actually sitting on the front lawn of the people opposite. “Molesting other people’s property” is the charge against my babies, aged 2 and 3. My other little one, 6 months old, does not yet come into the “category of criminal,” but if my neighbours persist in their observations I am afraid the officer will have a full-time job inquiring into all the complaints laid against my little ones. Is it not enough for a mother to bring into the world and care for a young family, without all this, and should it not be the duty of any decent-minded'citizen to help rather than hinder? Cases of young mothers losing their reason and committing dreadful acts through the strain of the care of those children only go to show how much latitude should be allowed; instead, in my case, every little incident is multiplied 100 per cent, and reported, and another visit from the constable follows. I always read with interest your articles on increasing the population of this country, and think how much mb re useful these inquisitive, interfering people would be if they had children of their own and brought them up haTf as well as I am trying to do. —I am, etc., ‘ MOTHER OF FIVE.