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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 46, 31 March 1914, Page 6

One of the outstanding.characteristics of- the political side of the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. F.' H. D. Bell) is his outspokenness and a.haiut of talking common sense. As Leader of the Legislative Council he is looked upon by his enemies as straight and uncompromising in definite issues —such as Council reform, for instance. This desirable quality the Minister demonstrated yesterday to a deputation of the women's societies of Wellington which waited upon him to urge the Government to undertake and expand various social reforms. A similar deputation whhih waited on the Prime Minister towards the end of last session went away gratified by Mr Massey's sympathy and promises, but it is more than probable that Mr Bell's frankness yesterday will afford his thoughtful hearers a more lasting satisfaction. One request was that the Government should raise the age of consent. The idea at "the back of the appeal is praiseworthy—the protection of young girls from unscrupulous men. But the Minister could see another aspect: That it was not always the fault of the man. He enlightened the deputation further by pointing out that the danger was double-edged — that as there were unscrupulous men there were also unscrupulous women, who would not hesitate to abuse the law for nefarious purposes of their own. It is quite impossible to make people moral by legislation —one may restrict the tendencies of the unmoral, but there the limit is reached. The law has made in its wisdom certain regulations; it can see that these are properly regarded, but to attempt anything further is on a par with using benzine to rid the leopard of its spots. A great assistance to the Government in this particular matter of safeguarding young girls would be a more conscientious parental supervision. If this be not forthcoming, then mothers and fathers are simply privy to those indiscretions which mean infractions of the law. The Minister ,;has given the women's societies a strong point to con over.