BABY-FARMING.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20483, 8 December 1934, Page 30 (Supplement)

BABY-FARMING.

ALARMING GROWTH. TRAFFIC IN CHILDREN. WEAKNESS OF BRITISH LAW. From information that has recently come to their notice the authorities in Britain are satisfied there is a growing disregard ot the provisions of the law relating to the adoption of children for reward, and they are to take immediate and drastic action in the matter. It was the infamy ot Mrs. Dyer, the notorious baby farmer, who over a quarter of a century ago was hanged for her crimes in adopting babies for large sums and later throwing her charges into the Thames, that drew the attention of Parliament to the need for legislation to prevent the traffic in children’s lives. A number of Acts have since been passed, but, notwithstanding the rigorous nature of the law against it, and the vigilance of social agencies, baby farming continues, and on an increasing scale. The director of the N.S.P.C.C. has recently reported that “the fact that the professional baby farmer no longer exists does not mean that trading in infants and children no longer goes on. Cases have come to our notice of men and women whose sole means of existence in this terrible trade.” Under the Children Act, 1908, when a person undertakes for reward the nursing and maintenance of one or more infants under the age of seven years, apart from their parents, he must, within 48 horns from the reception of the infant, give notice in writing to the local authority. That notice is to state the name, sex and date and place of birth and other essential particulars. It. has been discovered, however, that notwithstanding the adoptions that are known to have taken place, the number of notices given in the areas concerned is negligible Powers Rarely Used. Every local authority is armed with considerable powers. They are not only'entitled to make, but are supposed to make, careful inspections of their districts to see that the law is being observed. Their officers have the right to enter premises and interrogate those whom they wish to question on matters affecting children. But investigations have revealed that these powers are rarely exercised.

The attention of these bodies is now being called to their duty and their rights in this respect, and in most of the larger areas special inspectors are to be appointed for the express purpose of investigation

and supervision. They are to work in close co-operation with the registrars of births, marriages and deaths, from which they will be entitled to receive any material information thev may require.

Particulars of all births registered will be available to them, and in those oases where they think it desirable they are to keep careful watch upon the career of those infants about whose future they may be anxious.

Local authorities are also to be required to furnish * reports to the Ministry of Health as to what steps they have taken to prevent the traffic in the lives of babies and young children.