LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXX, Issue 3826, 23 August 1899, Page 3

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22. Tho Council met at 2.30 p.m. PROTECriON OF THE YOUNG. Tho second reading of the Young Persons’ Protection Bill was moved by Hon W. C. WALKER (Minister of Education),' who explained that it was similar in character to a measure of tho same name that was before the Council last year. There was, ho thought, no doubt that there was a necessity for such an Act, which would in groat measure tend, to bring home, to parents a proper sense of their responsibilities. It was unhappily only too true that young people nowadays enjoyed an. amount of liberty which might easily degenerate into license'. For that reason it was imperative that tho State should attempt to euro a weakness in our present social machinery. There had been some extraordinary instances of juvenile depravity before the Courts, which were nothing less than a danger to the body politic. Tho Bill sought to remedy this. Hon GEORGE McLEAN contended that a few hysterical women had got up a cry on a subject that was not nearly so bad as they alleged. He had lived in this colony for a great many years, and he had no hesitation in declaring that there was not such an amount of depravity among the young people as justified the measure before them. There was one way by which tho evil of young girls roaming , tho streets could he cured—by putting the machinery of the Contagious Diseases Act in force. When tliat Bill was in operation throughout the cities nothing like the difficulties now existing were mot with. It was not fair to brand our children in : such a manner us tho Protection Bill would do. Tiro Bill would hold them up to ridicule and place au undeserved brand upon them.

Hon GEORGE JONES accused the previous speaker of inconsistency ip advocating the re-enactment of the Contagious Diseases Act, and in the same breath declaring that no immorality existed. The hon gentleman went on to contend that a very serious evil did exist which would never be corrected until the State took a more lively interestin the young. He would support the second reading, but thought the Bill could bo improved in Committee, Hon J. A. BONAR could not see that any necessity existed for, such w Bill, and it was absurd to suppose that an Act of Parliament would improve the parents of oJiildren. The measure sought to give most arbitrary powers to' persons who might be incapable or undesirable. • i Hon F. H. FRASER said ho would bo glad to support the enforcement of the Contagious Diseases Act if itwprc made to apply equally,to both sexes So far as the subject immediately under discussion was concerned,- ho was convinced that something should be done to check the evils of city life. The measure, if passed into law, would have a very wholesome effect. i: Hon J. M. TWOMEY expressed his intention of supporting the second reading, which had been frequently demanded by ministers of religion. Hon JOHN RIGG lamented tho absence of facts. They had little to go upon. There were certainly undesirable things which obtruded themselves on one’s Hew in Wellington, but they, were not-sufficiontly strong to convince anybody that- •mmdrolity. was. rampant. He suggested the relegation of the Bill to > select committee,- with pouter' to call and-hear evidence. Hon S. SHRIMSKI opposed the Bill, and the Hon J. D. Ormond also thought, it unnecessary. If it /were passed/ said the latter gentleman.it would throw upon the colony the obloquy of being one of the first countries in the world to adopt such legislation. Hon W. _ MONTGOMERY suuported the suggest ion pub - forward by Mr Rise that, after the second reading, the BUI sin’idd be sent to a. select committee. ' The second reading was agreed to by 20 votes to 6, the Minister promising on next sitting day to say whether. ■ Bill should go to a; special committee: ■ The Council adjourned at 3.40.