ADVANCED LEGISLATION IN NORWAY.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13809, 25 August 1913, Page 7

ADVANCED LEGISLATION IN NORWAY.

A very advanced measure of social reform is contemplated by the Norwegian Ministry. M. Castberg, the Minister for Justice, promises to bring in a set of Bills securing, among other needed improvements, better factory inspection, limitation of the working hours of adults, reduction of those of children, and suppression of night work for women. But the salient features of his social programme are (1) the State insurance of mothers of families, whether they work at any branch of industry or devote themselves wholly to their households; (2) maternity benefits for all mothers; (3) a revolution in.the status of illegitimate children. At present a payment for the education and maintenance of such children can be recovered from the father until they attain the age of 15, but the sum usually awarded is from seven to ten kroner—say 8s to lls— per month,- and rarely reaches 15 kroner, or 16s- 8d;- and they cannot normally inherit from the father's side. Under the new law, a monthly payment will be recoverable for them, proportioned to the wealth of the male parent, and applied under the supervision of the State; and they will be entitled to bear his name and to share in the property left by him at death. M. (Castberg claims that he is thus averting the descent of many of an unfortunate class into the ranks of pauperism and crime.