CONTROL OF CHILDREN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21576, 22 August 1933, Page 11

CONTROL OF CHILDREN

WELFARE DEPARTMENT WORK VALUE OF MODERN SYSTEM The progress of social work in New Zealand in relation to children was outlined by Mr. J. S. Cupit, district supervisor of tho Child Welfare Department, in an address to members of the Auckland Rotary Club yesterday. The president, Mr. S. J. Harbutt, in introducing Mr. Cupit, mentioned that one of tho major works undertaken by the club this year was in connection with boys' work. Mr. Cupit said one of the weaknesses of the industrial school system was that boys were deprived of close association with the outside world in which later they had to work. There was too much supervision, and this tended to destroy self-reliance and initiative. The industrial school became a little world in itself, and children who attended had a difficult struggle later in life. They were also deprived of home associations.

During the war period, industrial schools m New Zealand were closed gradually, and a system was introduced for dealing in their homes with children who required such attention. In certain cases, the State assumed full responsibility, and some children wero sent first to small receiving homes for a short period, and then were boarded out in private houses. Later, work was found for them, and a, scheme was evolved under which the greater part of a boy's earnings was held in trust for him until he was discharged from control. He then received the accumulated money, if the authorities were satisfied that it would be put to a good purpose. Some boys had over £IOO waiting when they were released from control, and in rare cases the sums were nearer £2OO. The new system was stabilised by the Child Welfare Act, 192-5, which also introduced Children's Courts. Prior to this there had been no statutory provision for dealing with child delinquents apart from adult offenders, although many magistrates made a practice of hearing cases against children in their private rooms. The majority of children who appeared before the Courts were more sinned against than sinning, and the Courts endeavoured to remove the cause of the trouble. The function of the Courts was more one of adjustment than of punishment. A stipendiary magistrate usually presided, and was assisted by two voluntary associates.