Boys’ Clubs To Reduce Child Delinquents

Northern Advocate, 6 September 1939, Page 12

Boys’ Clubs To Reduce Child Delinquents

The establishment of boys’ clubs or similar organisations in order to' provide entertainment and recreation for children in the North, was suggested by Mr G. N. Morris, S.M., in an address to the Whangarei Chamber of Commerce last evening.

Dealing with the question of child welfare, Mr Morris said that for the year ending March 31 this year, 184 children had appeared before him in the circuit courts. The trouble was that each year there was a new crop of child delinquents.

Of last year’s total of 184, 84 had been charged with theft and breaking and entering, 23 with breaking insulators, and 11 with mischief. The cases included many of a trivial nature, but there were far too many cases coming before the court. “The most satisfactory feature is that only two and a half per cent come back again—what we call ‘repeaters,’ ” said Mr Morris. Only 21 of the 184 offenders had been girls, who' were charged with breaking insulators or petty theft. It had to be remembered, however, that these children were future citizens of Northland. The fault" was due to present conditions, it being a fact that conditions were not the same as in an earlier generation. “In Northland there are no boys’ clubs or Y.M.C.As., where boys could go in the evenings, and where the supervision would not be too strict,” said Mr Morris.

‘‘Something in this nature seems to be the best solution to the problem. “There is really nothing wrong with the gang spirit, which is only team spirit in reverse.” Big Brother Movement.

As an alternative, Mr Morris suggested the establishment of the Big Brother Movement, in which boys tending to go astray could be guided and encouraged in proper pursuits and hobbies.

Many thefts were due to fear of poverty, or to need. He quoted cases which, at first, had appeared sex'ious, but which, when investigated, had been found to be due to need. One, a most pitiful case, was due to a poor native girl, insufficiently and badly clothed, 'desiring the preftty things possessed by other girls. Provision of old clothes by the Child Welfare Officer had had a useful effect, arid he appealed to members to give what support they could in this direction.