NEW ZEALAND LAGGING.

Waikato Times, Volume 99, Issue 16485, 2 May 1925, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND LAGGING.

CHILDREN’S COURTS. URGED BY COMMITTEE. CRIMINAL PROCEDURE TO GO? (By Telegraph.—Special to Times.) WELLINGTON. Friday. The report of the committee of inquiry into the question of mental defectives gives a special section on the subject of children s courts. It states that several witnesses pointed out the need for the establishment of special courls for children and juveniles. The committee recommends that 1 such provision be made, and also that : clinics be established providing for ! the physical and physiological exam- | ination of all children coming under i the jurisdiction of these courts. The I fuller knowledge thus acquired would • he extremely valuable to the authorii lies dealing with children. Many i countries have recognised this need and have established properly constii tuted courts for dealing with children ' and juveniles as apart and distinct [ from police courts. In this connection it is surprising to i find that New Zealand is lagging be- ; hind in that in the laws relating to the punishment of crime hardly any distinction in procedure is made between child and adult. A practice has grown up whereby children are dealt with in the police courts at a time apart from the hearing of the adult cases, but the procedure of the Criminal Court has been retained, i.e.; the young delinquent is charged with an offence, is required to plead, and if found guilty is liable to conviction. Most cases are investigated by the juvenile probation officer of the Education Department prior to hearing, but these officers have no legal standing in any court, and are not even empowered to bring a destitute child before a magistrate for committal to the care of the State. This function must be carried out by a police officer. The Children’s Court, as it is constituted in other countries, is a court of equity, and its principal function is to consider all children brought before it as cases requiring protection and care. It is the business of the court by investigation of conduct, school and family history and mental condition to ascertain the reason if possible for misconduct, eliminate or modify the causes, or remove the child from environments contributory to its condition. Presiding magistrates are usually selected on account of their experience with children and knowledge of child psychology. In some of the courts in America women are selected for these positions. It is essential that if children appearing before the courts are to be dealt with in a scientific manner there should be provision on the lines recommended above.