CHILD DELINQUENCY

Southland Times, Issue 25023, 8 April 1943, Page 4

CHILD DELINQUENCY

Corrective Measures Suggested

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, April 7. Remedies for child delinquency were suggested in the report of a special committee to the Auckland Education Board today. The committee expressed the opinion that the method of dealing with delinquents at Children’s Courts was too lenient and recommended that a teacher approved by the board should be appointed associate on the Children’s Court. The committee attributed the increase in delinquency to lack of parental control, war conditions causing the absence of fathers and mothers at work, allowing children too much pocket money and pernicious literature of the salacious and gangster type. Corrective measures suggested were: (1) The screening of only suitable pictures at children’s sessions; (2) the introduction of compulsory saving to counteract the high wages paid to youths; (3) the appointment of fulltime attendance officers for schools and a recommendation to the Minister of Education that such officers be granted the powers of special constables; (4) Government action concerning the unsuitability for children of many broadcast programmes; (5) prohibition of the sale 1 of contraceptives to children; (6) the establishment of suitable playing areas in congested areas; and (7) the establishment of continuation courses up to at least 18 years of age. The board decided to send copies of the report to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education.