LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14001, 6 September 1907, Page 5

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5,

Tlio Council met at- 2.30 p.m. On the motion of the Hon. T. K. MACDONALD it was Ordered that, there bo laid on tho table copies of all contracts for advertising in connection with the railway stations of the colony. INFANT LIFE PROTECTION. Tlio debate on tho Hon. Dr Collins's motion to consider the provisions in force for the protection, of infant lifo was resumed by tho Hon. Mr BEEHAN, who held that the question of a living wage entered largely into tho subjcct under discission; By ' improving the position of married men something might be done to iinprovo tho present condition of things. He trusted that the question of tho declining birth rate and tho marriage rate a.nd tho awful destruction of infant lifo would soon bo a thing of the past. Tho Hon. Mr CALLAN said the worst ovil of tho present.-da.y civilisation was tho low estimate attached to family life. Ho considered that the facilities for divorce had resulted in lessoning, tlio regard for many of ..tho duties of social life. Divorco was becoming a crying evil. Tho question of the non-birth _of .children or the destruction, of . child lifo was one of the most perplexing of modern times. Seeing that wo'got little immigration, it. was most important, that wo should encourage and foster infant lifo. In tho proposed now law a child should only bo permitted to be taken charge'of by a person who could and would givo it opportunities of home life. With regard to children committed to industrial schools, an improvement could be made by making the coujjt proceedings private.

Tho Hon. Mr M'CARDLE said lie did not think the Government could, as suggested, set aside land for men with large families, but it might well give married men promotion before single men. If this wero done by tho Government the example might bo followed by privato employers. 110 eulogised Dr Collins and the Leader of tho House for coming forward in this important matter in ,the way thoy had doVie v Ho strenuously urged the necessity for stringent, inspection of tho milk supply, as it was a question which affected adults as well as children.

, Tlio debate was adjourned on the motion of the Hon. Mr MARSHALL, and the Council rose at 4.45 p.m.