CUSTODY OF A CHILD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15552, 6 September 1912, Page 3

CUSTODY OF A CHILD

FURTHER lIKFBRENCB IN PARLIAMENT.

[Fr.ou Oor 0«N Corbibpokdekt.)

WELLINGTON. September S. WJmt is known as tlic Haynefi caso cropped up in *' lu House of Representatives again 10-ilny. when tlio Petitions Coininitteo (M to 7.) reported having inmured into tho petition of Landsteio and' others, rojirescntuiß the Society for tho Protection of Women _ and Cliildren in Chislchurcli. The petitioners had asked for an inquiry regarding tho custody of a clril<f with tho foster parents. The committee recommended that tho Government should make inquiry. Mr Russell asked what the recommendation meant. Was it a : recommendation for a further parliamentary inquiry, for n royal commission, or what? Mr Okcy said the petition was for a fu lror inquiry.

Mr Isitt oxpresscd tho opinion that the <Jovornincnt should tnko tho cose into consideration, but ho thought it would be unwise to assemble a large number of witnesses lor another parliamentary inquiry. It would he for the Government to say what form the inquiry should take, Mr llussoll said he thought the Uoyornnient should ho very careful to satisfy itself as to tho necessity for further inquiry. Tho child had now been for about 12 months in llio custody of her foster parents, and there was no charge that these people were at the present time treating tho child improperly. 1( thero was' any Buygt'stion of ill-treatment, tho matter was one for the polico court, =md not for Parliament, 110 read letters from neighbours staling that the people in tho neighbourhood whore tho child lived wcro not responsible for this agitation. It was tho Society for the Protection of Women and Children that was responsible for it. It was cruel of this society to attempt to remove the child from her home. lie added that tho parents had never been charged with cruelty. It was tho child that had been charged with not being under proper control. Another inquiry could do no good, as it would only stir up mud. Tho inquiry was not being asked for in the interests ol the child, but to clear the resident magistrate of the charge thai he had acted improperly in refusing a rehearing of the case. In a pamphlet that had l>cen published about tho case, it was stated that ono of tho objects was to clear tho magistrate. Tho House had no business to undertake matters of that kind. , Mr Isitt said the society referred to could have supplied material evidence, at tho last inquiry had it not received such short notico

Mr ilindmarsli objected to tho interference of these societies in somo cases of taking children away from their parents. Onco they set out on a caso they would accomplish the end they had in view, no matter how far- they would have jo go. Thoy oven went the, length of interviewing magistrates and a judge of tho Strprcmo Court. In tills caso it apjioarcd to him that tlioso ladies in Christchurch had entered upon this crusade! and wanted their own way. They had displayed venom and bitterness, nnd wanted to lx>st tho foster parents. Such societies ought to bo carefully watched. Tho case liod been rcopehed by tho member for Christchurch North just for tho sako of vindicating this little push" of Indies down in Christchurch.

Mr Scott said he thought tko coinniittco had dono tho right thing in recommending Hie. mutter to the consideration of tho Government. The committee could not nettle it.

Mr Isitt denied that he had brought the mailer up or agitated concerning it. Ho had simply presented tho petition. Mr I.auronsoii said he thought the Government should grant the inquiry asked for. A very searching inquiry should bo made as to whether the child was being properly treated where she was now situated. If sho was not, then sho should bo taken away.

Tho Hon. Mr Masscy said the Government would mako inquiry as to whether the child was licing properly treated. He had just received a letter from Mr Ilaynes protesting against what was being done.. 110 stated tint ho wns a, working man, without capital, and unless tho Government provided funds to enable him to appear at an inquiry he would be unable to protect tho.io wlk> were dear to him. Mr Massoy added that tho Government would make inquiry, and would do what, was right in the interests of the child and all concerned.— (" Hear, hear,") Tho Hon. James Allen said, that so far as tho department administering the act was concerned, he was sure that it was doing its work in fho best interests of tho children. The discussion then ended.