PITY THE CHILDREN.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7806, 20 August 1903, Page 2

PITY THE CHILDREN.

Deputation to Premier, Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. A deputation from Christchurch representing tie Childrens' Aid Society, waited on the Premier to-day in regard to the question of classifying the inmates of public institutions. Methods of dealing with defectivo children, and the necessity for alterations in the Criminal Code were brought forward. It was pointed out that at present children were being committed to Burnham whose only crime was poverty. These unfortunates had to mingle with those who had committed criminal offences. It was suggested that local counci's, to be composed largely of women, should be appointed to control the children under the guardianship of the State. It was also asked that indeterminate sentences should be passed- on those men convicted of certain offences on women and children. The Premier, in tho ceurse of his reply, said classification of the inmates of industrial institutions had not yet been completed, but would be as soon as the new home at Levin was finished. He agreed that only children tainted with criminal instincts should be committed to the Burnham Home. The State had now many thousands of children under its control, and what the deputation had urged in regard to their detention in homes under the supervision and administration of the bodies controlling them, would receive careful consideration.