WHITE SLAVE TRAFFIC.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12756, 31 March 1914, Page 5

WHITE SLAVE TRAFFIC.

Press Association. —By Telegraph. WELLINGTON, March 30. A deputation, representing all the Wellington Societies which take an interest in matters concerning women, waited on Hon. H. D. Bell to-day and urged the Government to take steps to prevent the introduction of the White Slave Traffic in New Zealand, make procuration impossible, provide more careful selection of assisted immigrant girls, raise the age of consent to eighteen, and appoint women inspectors to look after young women and children in public parks and other places. Hon. H. D. Bell stated that young women who came here as assisted immigrants underwent as strict a scrutiny by the High Commissioner-'s officials as possible. He declared he would not allow a word to be said against their character. As to those who paid their own passages the Government had nothing to do with them. Matrons were usually women coming under engagement as nurses or mental hospital attendants and they did all in their power to look ufter the girls. The State could not prevent seduction. That could only be done by mothers and the girls themselves, but Mr Bell indicated that Government is prepared to do everything possible to prevent procuration and anything approaching the White Slave Traffic. He favoured making the penalty for illicit commerce with girls under a certain age more severe in cases where the male had the responsibilities of a guardian, but he pointed out that if the age of consent was raised as requested it would be a source of danger to young men. He said that in view of his long experience as Crown Prosecutor, he was in favour of appointing women to look after the safety of young girls, but he could not commit Government. . '