CARE OF ORPHANS

Otago Witness, Issue 3509, 14 June 1921, Page 47

CARE OF ORPHANS

TIIE STATE’S OFFICIOUS PROPOSALS.

The [.reposal to extend State control over orphanages and philanthropic social service was discussed in the Dunedin Presbytery on the 7th inst. The matter was introduced by the Rev. G. H. Jupp, who, in the absence cf the Rev. Dr Cameron and the Rev. \Y. Trotter, spoke on behalf of the Presbytery’s Public Questions’ Committee. Mr Jupp said they were aware of the trouble that had been caused by the State s eking to lay its hands on all children v.ho had lost their parents. The churches were supposed to have been guilty of doing various tilings “under the. guise of philanthropy” in “obsolete"’ institutions. They desired that a resolution on the subject should come straight from the Presbytery, and he moved—“ That the Presbytery, having considered the proposal of the Education Department to make orphan and destitute children the wards of the State, is of opinion that the pioposal is very dangerous, and views with extreme disapprobation tlie terms used in referring to the social service of the church—viz.. ‘That the State has allowed private enterprise under the guise cf benevolence to step in and handle the children of the State under a system that is obsolete.’ and makes emphatic protest against any interference with the work being carried on b\- our Social Service Association.” Mr J. Tait seconded the motion. The Rev. E. A. Axelsen briefly explained how the present situation had arisen. In the depart mental report he had in his hand there were some excellent proposals. He went over them in Wellington for three hours with their framer, and was quite familiar with them. Such proposals as regulation of street trading and employment of children generally, regulation of attendance of children at picture theatres, and inspection of private institutions were excellent. But there was a paragraph which said “State guardianship of illegitimate children and of all orphan and permanently destitute children.” That cut the ground from under

the feet of all their institutions, and it went into every home in the community. The moment a man died if he had not made legal provision for his children, no matter what wealth he had. the officer of the State could walk in and claim to be the legal guardian of the children, and bring them up according to his ways. When these points were brought up in tire press there came an answer saying they had quite misunderstood the position, and that no provision had been made for such legislation. I nfortunately there was another clause in that report, saying “Provision has been made in draft legtslaton for the State to take over the guardianship of all children who h ive lost both parents unless guardians have already been appointed during the lifetime of one or other of the parents.” lie had written to the Minister telling him what he proposed to do, and asking him if there was any chance of the proposals being modified, but the only answer he had received was: “I acknowledge your letter of the 13th inst, and have noted the conients thereof.” So that the department had not in any way committed itself. That was why they proposed that motion should be passed in all Presbyter’es up and down the country, and the Anglican Church was doing the same in its Synods. The motion was carried unanimously.