The Stoke Orphanage.

White Ribbon, Volume 6, Issue 64, 1 September 1900, Page 7

The Stoke Orphanage.

fhe published accounts of the inquiry have caused a painful sensation throughout the Colony. That the unfortunate children of the State should be improperly fed and be allowed to be personally dirty in dirty quarters, while at the same time a handsome profit was being made out of the sum paid by the State for their maintenance seems bad enough. Hut when we further read that the poor little lads were cruelly

beaten, were loaded with chains, and kept in solitary confinement for weeks at a time in dens of seven feet by four, it is difficult to control one’s feelings of indignation The Marist Brothers stem to have imported into this free e immunity some of the worst features of convict life of a century ago. One of the most painful aspects of the case was the untruthfulness displayed by certain of the brothers. What influence the practice of this institution must have on tiie morality of the boys is painful to contemplate. It seems incredible that such things could be done in a religious institution.

* One thing is certain. Ihe State has

a clear am. definite duty towards the little waits and strays. It may be convenient and a saving of trouble to hand them over to private institutions such as these. Hut the Government has no right to attempt to shunt its responsibilities in this way. Treated as these l>oys were, the waifs will swell our criminal class. Trained rightly they may be made good citizens, truthful, clean, upright and honourable. It can be done if we are in earnest about it, and it will be cheaper in the long run. Let every mother who gathers her lads and lassies around her with loving care, resolve that, God helping her, she will never rest until the children of the State shall have a fair share of comfort, and a fair opportunity of le lining lessons of kindness, purity and truthfulness.