THE CARE OF CHILDREN

Southland Times, Issue 20014, 30 October 1926, Page 12

THE CARE OF CHILDREN

GUIDANCE DURING LEISURE RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS. “It seems to me that if we go on as we are now it will not be long before the State is asked to take charge of children at the cradle and bring them up, lock, stock and barrel,” said the Hon. R. A, Wright, Minister of Education, at Auckland when a deputation from the Auckland Play Association asked for a subsidy of £ for £ toward meeting tho cost oi its work among the children. He said he had noted a proposal in Auckland to provide free meals for school children, and that was a step in the direction to which he was pointing. They euulil not allow that to go on K The work of the association brought to the Minister’s notice by Mrs N. E, Ferner, who said there w<s need for organised control, guidance and instruction of children in their lci»ur* hours. New Zealand had lagged behind other countries in this work, which been carried on in Auckland for a number of years on a voluntary basis. The p;ay *f rhe children was organiser! and controlled on Saturdays and holidays, but the work had increased to such «n exUsut ths> further help was necessary. They asked the Minister to recognise the wmk of tin* nswiciation and grant a subsidy o: £ for ? on the same lines as subsidies were given to schools. The Minister pointed to the call for subsidies that would cornu from all parts of the Dominion if ho acceded to die wish of the deputation. He wanted to zee the child life of New Zealand improved, but he was againsr launching any scheme until he saw how it could be financed. He had no doubt that the aswcHidon was doing good work, but he ihomdii 'hat in matters of this kind they were justified in appealing to the parents. “We must not let fathers and mothers of this Dominion caihrr the idea that the Government is • kind body which will do everything for tbei- children,” Mr. Wright continued “We axe doing a great deal, but I think the parent* should come to light and give you tha niotusy you want.” “We work in the poorer qnartars of the city,” said a member of the deputation. “Well, I have had some experience in these matters,” the Minister replied, “and I may say that in Wellington the greater part of the money we want comes from what may be termed the working class and tjie middle class. You desene encouragement and the people should you. It must be a great thing for the |>rople to have their children taken off their hands for a few hours and have them cared for in the way your association is doing. That, surely, is worth some sacrifice.” The Minister promised to the representation of the deputation before Cabinet.