Adoptions

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31005, 10 March 1966, Page 16

Adoptions

Sir, —As parents of an adopted child we are greatly concerned to read in today’s issue of a court case in England involving the return of an adopted child 17 months after adoption. Should our child’s true mother change her mind in later years and want her child, notwithstanding that she signed permission for adoption, would we be forced to return the child to her? If the New Zealand law does not cover any particular situation, do not our courts refer to an English ruling? Today, when people are being encouraged to adopt children, the peace of mind of many adoptive parents would be at rest if some reassurance were given by the Minister of Justice. Until this highly contentious point is clarified the obvious recommendation to intending adoptive parents is caution. —Yours, etc., “OUR” CHILD?

February 23, 1966.

[The Minister of Justice (Mr Hanan) replies: “1 cannot say anything about the English case referred to as I am not aware of all the circumstances. However, in New Zealand the position is governed by the Adoption Act, 1955, and once a final adoption order has been made the natural parents of the child lose all their rights in respect of it and cannot by changing their minds in later years obtain custody of the child again.”]