THE STATE, THE PARENT AND THE CHILD.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXX, Issue 3863, 5 October 1899, Page 4

THE STATE, THE PARENT AND THE CHILD.

The Yohpg Persons Protection Biil lias been before Parliament for two sessions. It has been advocated by legislators who have doubtless a desire to promote the well-being of the young and the best interests of society, blit the proposals formulated axe imperfect aud in many respects objectionable. Certain modifications have been made in the measure since last year, but it remains practically the same. The Bill that will coine before the Legislative Couucil to-day for further comsidcration provides that when young persons under the age of sixteen years; whether boys or girla, are found

loitering atvout the directs at night wilhout proper control or for immoral pur-, juries,. ft. “protection officer” shall have' trio right-to take charge of them, and in aho first instance take them to their own homos; on a second-occasion they are to bo taken to a refuge, and the person in charge of the refuge and the protection, officer are to consult and devise whether • tiie young person should be brought boloro, a Magistrate or not.

f/i their zeal for the protection and caro or young people, many social reformers h'.ivo declared that such a Bill would j;rcatly aid them in their work of raving the young people from loose habits and perhaps the paths of vice. One witness before Uses Select Committee that took evidence'upon the subject declared that the Bill would enable philanthropic worken, l.c employ coercion when moral sua■gua lulled to induce young persons to cop.se from following s.n immoral life. Under the care of the Salvation Anpy and the Church, of England, “homes” have been established for the care of fallen girls or those who are “on the verge of falling”; but the matrons complain that while girls under fifteen years may be committed to such homes by a Magistrate, there is no law in existence to conifxd the committal of those over thar age.

There aro grave reasons why women, ira matter how “discreet” they may be, wnd protection officers, who will be'policomcn, should not bo entrusted with the responsibility of discriminating between young persons who are merely loitering and t hose who arc on the streets for immoral purposes. Tho Bishop of Wellington, Dr Wallis, who has displayed a commendable interest in the matter, pointed out when before the Select Committee that “it would-bo. very wrong to take a girl up because she was in the streets through not being under proper control and treat her as if she wore there for immoral purposes.” Of course, the public indignation that would bo raised aguin st tlie “discreet woman” or the maso'.ilino protection officer who did so would be sufficient to have the law repealed on short notice; but it is undesirable tofgivc- occasion* for administrative scandals. Many a girl, unable save by simple affirmation to attest her innocence, might bo hustled off to a home, where she would bo detained among other than guiltless companions and the contamination might prove her ruin. Bishop Wallis declared that a, la.w compelling all young people to bo off the streets by nine o’clock in the evening would, interfere with the liberty of the subject too much; it would bo absolutely impossible to, enforce a law of that kind. Public opinion could not bo coerced in that way. • There aro other points of weakness in the measure that ought'to be referred to-. ...Pro risidn" exists for the matron of a home .acting aa prosecutrix of any young person that may be detained. Now it will occur to"those who have given this subject any . consideraton that-the influence of tho matrons of the hemes tc which y oung girls pray bo committed depends upon confidence and sympathy existing between these officials and the girls; and if a matron is compelled, to act aa prosecutrix it is pot at all likely t hat her’influence for good over the girls wilLfbo-'-strengbliciied. 7- The Bishop ■ of Wellington and the Minister of Education discussed this point by question and ajnswer before the 'Select Committee, and tlie conclusion of the Bishop was that tho Biil as it stands would mar the influence of matrons of homes. Again, it is provided that all proceedings under tho Act shall be taken in. a way Before a Magistrate alone, and may, if the Magistrate thinks fib, be heard privately and with the exclusion of the public. Surely this is going too far. It may be right to grant a Magistrate large discretionary powers, but it should not be in Ids power to prevent-a public hearing of such cases.

That there are clangers to society and individuals through young persons loitering on the streets cannot bo gainsaid. Idleness and mischief-go-hand in hand, and young persons who begin by merely loitering on the street may quickly dibit into vice and immorality. The lack ol parental control and tho. loosening ol religious influence are responsible foi many, of the evil practices that exist among the young. Observant and philanthropic- people have testified that the amount o r ' juvenile immorality in Wellington is appalling. Their facts may bo right, but they are wrong in supposing that State coercion would prove a- remedy. For moral diseases, moral curative agents jmust: bo, employs*!* giqn Jia,s failed; why'shpuM'no.t s tJlei State try specific moral instruction in the public schools, coupled -with- physiological and hygienic lessons? If there is to be coercion, it intist be exerted through the parental -medium. In China, veneration for parents is largely maintained by the law practically giving fathers the power or life.ami death over their offspring. In British or untries, tho parent who- enforces discipline by corporal punishment incurs odium and may even find himself in the criminal dock. This ultra-humanitarian-ism may require to bo checked, if the rising generation’s manners and - morals are, to he improved. If the State wishes to usurp the functions of parents in the upbringing of children, the logical course is to make a start with the infants ana accept in’l responsibility for their t rain : ing;, but that is a leap Into Socialism" which British people are not yet prepared to take. Wo feel certain opinion in this country, will not approve of hail’ling over the moral regulation ot big boys and girls to policemen and discreet women. The Bill now before tha Council ought to bo rejected, and some other means proposed of dealing with the evil .of juvenile immorality.