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In conclusion 1 desire to state that in my opinion there is need for a complete statistical investigation of all the determinable personal, psychological, physical, moral, parental, material, industrial, economic, social, and educational factors that play a part in the life-history of the various classes of children who become wards of the State. Information concerning these factors should be standardized, analysed, and classified so as to present sufficient reliable and properly arranged data for a thorough investigation of one of the most insistent problems confronting the nation —the problem of the prevention of human wastage. In urging the necessity for such an investigation I am asking only that, in the interests of humanity and national efficiency, there should be given to this vital problem at least as careful, minute, and organized research as has been given, say, to the study of the classes and species of insects, their habits, and their life-history. The chief function of the State is to promote the well-being of the people, and to my mind there is no nobler way in which the State can exercise this function than in protecting the most valuable and yet the most fragile, the most helpless and yet the most responsive, members of the community from the evil conditions of life which threaten to defeat the child before he is able even to prepare for the battle of life. J. A. Hanan, Minister of Education.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not (riven ; printing (1,100 copies), £12.

Authority : Marcus F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9l7.

Price lid.