SHE IS ONLY A CHILD

Observer, Volume XVI, Issue 922, 12 September 1896, Page 2

SHE IS ONLY A CHILD

An i-veful Tale from Stratford.

A i'lTn'Di, story comes to us from dowu Stratf ord way. It is the story of the betrayal and rain of a child of fourteen. Spurned in her shame by all who knew her. the poor, wronged creature was glad to quit her native town, and, with the aid of kindly Salvationists, made her way to Wellington. Numbers of girls who are cast upon the world in this way find their wav to Wellington in the expectation of hiding their shame there, only to realise that their situation is in no way improved when they get there. In this instance, the Army, haviDg no place in Wellington suitable for the girl's treatment in her impending further crisis, applied on her behalf to the Wellington Benevolent Trustees for help in sending her on to their maternity home at Christchurch, where they were prepared to give her succour. The Benevolent Trustees resolved to give the aid solicited, notwithstanding the grumbling of some of their members, who didn't see why the ratepayers should be saddled with this expense. There are always some flinty-hearted individuals who would with the utmost complacency allow a girl to die in the gutter because she i had sinned and fallen by the way. The remarkable part of the story is that the girl alleges she was seduced by the husband of her own sister, and was left to her fate by him on the plea that he could not afford her further protection. This accusation may be true, and, if so, why are no steps beiDg taken to punish this man ? The betrayal of maidenly innocence is cowardly and despicable, but what can be said that would adequately express one's abhorrence and loathing of a wretch who could take advantage of a child whose age and relationship alone should have assured her protection at his hands. Once more we ask the political women, who are so fond of beating the air in their advocacy of such reforms as raising the age of consent and making it impossible for men to sin, what they are doing for the protection of the children of their own sex under deplorable and shameful circumstances such as these.