A BLOT ON CIVILISATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3043, 10 July 1912, Page 6

A BLOT ON CIVILISATION.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

AUCKLAND, July 4. Mrs Gillam, wife of the vicar of St. Matthew's, and a prominent member of the Ladies' Benevolent Society, in speak* ing to a Herald reporter, card that her own eases in what is called the city south area, number 30 a month, principally women who have been deserted by their husbands, while a few are prisoners' wives. "I have," she said, ''some jnen bereft of the necessities of life through the ravages of disease. One poor man has had a brain trouble for three years. He hao four children, only one of whom io able to earn anything. Were it not for the energies and devotion of his wife his lot would be pitiful indeed. We usually pay him about 8s a week. Naturally we should all like to give more, but our means are limited, and our other calls equally important. A woman called today stating that her husband had deserted her. She had a little baby in her arms just two months old, and another child aged two years. Poor woman ! She was absolutely penniless, and her baby very, very ill. The totoband had promised to send money, but he had not kept man, an absolute loafer, whose wife is unman, an absolute loafer, whose life is unfortunately of the same helpless, hopeless disposition. There are three children. We have helped them so much and without effect that charity has had to bo withdrawn. At the same time one cannot we God's children starve, and we give them the bread that is needful. Recently a woman was left with a baby only three weeks old. Another was deserted 12 months ago, her husband leaving four children with her. I think it is a blot on our civilisation and law that women and children should be. treated in tliits way. Tn fact, 85 per cent, of our ra<-<cs are due to wife desertion. This social scandal i.s on the increase, and sho'uld be stopped. Husbands ought to be caught and returned to their own town, and there placed on public works and their wagca withheld for the support of their wives.