NEGLECTED CHILDREN

Otago Witness, Issue 3316, 3 October 1917, Page 9

NEGLECTED CHILDREN

INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL REFORM. " In view of the fact that so many of our finest men have been killed or disabled during the war, we should make every effort possible to save this small army of children, most; of whom, if the State stood aside, would not only be lost to the State as citizens, but would become a hindrance or a meDaco to the public well-being." With these words the Minister of Education (the Hon. J. A. Hanan) prefaces his interesting memorandum dealing with reforms in connection with the industrial school system of New Zealand. There are 4123 children under the control of the de partment. The Minister states that it is well that the State is prepared to stand "in loco parentis" to this large family of waifs and strays, but it is a matter for publio concern that year after year there should bo a constant supply of such children claiming the State as its foster-parent. It lias to be admitted with regret that home influence is not so strong nor of so fine a type as it was a generation ago. It has often been urged that, rather than the children, parents who have proved themselves unfit to be parents should be placed under restriction. It certainly seems to be the height of folly to take children from a home which is judged to be unfit for children and from parents who are unfit to rear children, and yet to wait year by year for the succession of additional children which proceeds from the same home. In many cases the evil effects cannot be remedied even if the children are taken charge of from infancy, for physical or mental infirmity are often stamped on the children for life through the moral or physical degeneracy of their parents. Tho question of the eradication of the slum areas of our towns and cities is one which demands the most careful consideration. It is a crime to place children in conditions that almost defy them to become healthy, decent citizens. More care is taken over tho rearing of stock than tho rearing of children. The free kindergarten associations, however, are doing splendid work towards brightening the lives of city children, and in many cases stimulating parents to do more for the welfare of their children; and the Minister has, as far as possible, recognised the value of this_ work by .arranging for an increased capitation and an improved status for the free kindergarten schools. By moans of continuation classes for both boys and girls who have left school, it is hoped not only to extend their general education, but to for reasonable opportunities for receiving instruction relating to their trade or calling. This should give a distinct bias towards the more skilled trades as against blind-alley occupations, and help to eliminate the undesirable results often accompanying poor education and the lack of a skilled occupation. ■ WHAT IS PROPOSED.

The Minister has arrived at the conclusion that future action should be based on the following principles: (1) That definite steps should be taken to apply the axiom, "Prevention is better

than cure." (2) That it is advisable to influence parents as well as their children. (3) That neglected and delinquent children under the care of the State should be placed as far as possible under natural homo conditions, and that admission to an institution should be used only as a last resort. (4) That there should be a reclassification of those resident inmates of {he various institutions who could not be boarded out

under ordinary conditions. The following are some of tho reforms that are now in progress or have actually been established as the result of tho Minister's review of the position : Extension of the probation system to the four chief centres of population. Establishment of probation homes for boys at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Reservation of the Boys' Training Farm, Nelson, for boys of school ago. Reservation of the Boys' Training Farm, Weraroa, for the training of boys over school age. Establishment of central training school for girls, combined with a receiving home for children at Christ-church. _ Closing of the girls' industrial schools as such at Auckland and Caversham. and converting them into special schools for feeble minded children. Establishment of receiving homes for children at Auckland and Dunedin. Closing tho day schools attached to the training farm at Weraroa, the Biirnham Industrial School, To Oranga Home, and the Caversham Industrial School.

The report goes on to state that, owing to the overcrowding of institutions under the control of the department, it seemed as if it would be necessary to provide : A fourth institution, at a cost of not less than £21,000, with a recurring annual charge of about £6OOO. A subsidiary institution on tho Burnham School estato for the detention of incorrigible boys, at a capital cost of at least £BOOO and an annual maintenance chargo of £2500. The rebuilding on a much extended scale of tho first division building at Te Oranga Home, Christchurch, destroyed by fh-o some time ago. The cost of building was estimated at about £6OOO, and tho increased annual cost at about £I4OO. Additional buildings at tho Auckland Industrial School at a cost of £ISOO, carrying with it an increase of £650 in annual maintenance. The present social conditions and tho unusual amount of liberty given to many children probably account to some extent for tho largo number of uncontrollable children that aro brought before the Juvenile Courts throughout Now Zealand. Under the probation scheme it will probably bo sufficient iu at least 90 per cent, of these cases to supervise ohildren in their own homes. A remarkable fact in regard to the present inmates of boys' schools is that at least 80 per cent, of the delinquent boys wero engaged hi street trading before their admission to the schools. This fact may bo regarded as direct evidence in favour of the proper regulation of streettrading among children, and proposals for

legislation in this direction and regulations thereunder ore now being prepared. Tho matter of regulating the attendance of children at picture theatres and other places of publio amusement is also dealt with in the proposed regulations. _ Provision is also mado for The regulation of admission of children to private orphanages and similar institutions, and for the method of conducing these institutions. In order to provide better guidance in connection with the employment of children after leaving school it is proposed to establish juvenile employment bureaux, so as to provide, if possible, that a boy or girl who has the ability will have ample scope for employment of a congenial character, and also that the employer will b© able to obtain a boy or girl who is suitable for his particular requirements. It too often happens at the present time that because his parents are poor a boy who is really fit for a useful career has to take the first position that offers the highest immediate wages. In most cases such attractive employment leads to nothing, and in a few years' time tho boy finds that he has arrivod at the end of a blind alley. As a rule it is impossible, on account of financial considerations, for him to start life over again in employment that would offer better opportunities, and ho joins tho ranks of unskilled labourers.