PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 29, 29 October 1917, Page 3

PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN

ANNUAL REPORT The twenty-second annual report of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children states \ that "twenty-two meetings of the committee have been held during the yoar, the average attendance being 6 8/11. 'The letters received number 190, and those written by the secretary 298. The total number'of coses dealt with since the inception of the society is 1429, of which 122 are new cnses this year, classified rs follows:— Separational and maintenance, 2 cases; maintenance obtained, 19 _ persons, 7; 7naintenanco. sought, 12; maintenance of illegitimate children obtained, i; maintenance of illegitimate children sought, 6; neglected children. (63), 14; children committed (5), 2; homes for children, 5;

cruelty to children (2 and i alleged), 6; cruelty to wife, 6; unmanageableJjirls placed in homes, 3; Nursing Home found, i; girl medically attended, 1; investigations made, 16; boy removed from undesirable home, 1; maintenance obtained f or,mother, 2; alleged neglected children (21), 8; general advice, 21; inquiries regarding'missing husband, 1; persecution nnd slander of women, 1. Total, 122. A large number of old cases were dealt with during the year. Tho honorary solicitors were consulted in 36 oases. Seven necessitated Court proceedings, in six of which tho society were successful. One case was dismissed owing to insufficient evidence. "The committee is grateful, on behalf of mothers, wives, and children of soldiers for the increased pensions and allowances which have been granted by the Government to wives and children (legitimate and illegitimate) or dependants of soldiers. "The committee regrets to report that there has been a marked increase during the past year of cases in which married men are responsible for the seduction of young girls. There has also been an

increase in the number of cuses of <10-. sertiou and cruelty to wives and children. Tho numbor of illegitimate childrou attributed to married men is eleven, to singlo civilians two, and to soldiers three. This record*contradiots the statements made against soldiers in this connection.

"Tho committee again urges that the ago of protection should bo raised for both girls and boys, and that the clauso in the Act which makes it possible for an offender to evado justice by pleading that ho believed the girl to be over 16 years of ago, should be immediately repealed as has been done in the House of Commons. They also urged that tho example of Britain should bo followed in allowing twelvo months in which to lay au information for indecent assault.

"Attention is again drawn to tho need for tho establishment of labour farms for wasters and wife deserters, where they could earn wages for tho support of their families, l'or many years tho Dunedin Board and tho committee have affirmed the principle of segregating the unfit and criminal on farms where they would bo taught self-supporting industries.

"In the experience of tho committee, most of the cases of cruelty and neglect of children and unsatisfactory homes are attributable to the drinking habits of tho parents. However, during tho year many oases have been oome across in which tho negleot is attributable to the high cost of living which renders it impossible for the mothers to secure comfortable conditions for their families on the wages obtainable by their huebands. Under these circumstances the poor women lose heart and let things "The committee has como across several instances of very large families, and would suggest that as women are urged to keep the cradles full some provision (as is proposed in Australia) for grants for every child after tour should be given to women who are bearinc heavy burdens for the State. The conservation of child life is the most important problem of these days, but. under such conditions how can children thrive F ■ . ~ . "The committee again urges the need for an amendment in the law. which would give the mother of legitimate children equal rights with the father in the guardianship of hev children. "Another matter which requires attention is the frequent appearance of advertisements from persons wishing to adopt' children with premiums. As it ia il'egal to pay premiums on adoption and dangerous for the safety of the children steps should be taken to prevent such trausaotious. Thei;e are many well-to-do people in New Zealand who would derive enormous pleasure from adopting some of the uncared-for littlo ones, as they have been doing in England.' /'The committee regret that repeated and urgent requests to the Government for the appointment of policewomen, women jurors, justices of the peace, i-nd visiting justices have not yet received attention from Parliament. The appointment of a woman censor for picture films has received the endorsement of the Minister, but nothing has yet been done. . , , "During the year several important • meetings' were held under the auspices and at the instigation of the committee.The first, on July i, was a discussion on the proposals of the Council of Education in tho segregation of the sexes and differentiations of education from ten years of ago. Vigorous protests were made by leading educationists ot experience in private, secondary, and public schools. Other speakers supported the reactionary proposals, but the protest was carried by an overwhelming majority, only six supporting the proposed innovation. "A Social Hygiene Committee has been formed for the purpose of organising a free clinic oh tho lines of the free clinic in Christchurch, which has shown satisfactory results. The Hospital Board has approved the clinic, and Tins promised a grant for expenses. The Minister has been written to for a grant to meet the balance of expenses.. "In thanking subscribers and the "eneral public for financial support during the past vear, the committee draws attention to the need for continued assistance for the increasing work of the society, whioh, though working quietly and unostentatiously, is of benefit to the most helpless of the community— tho children—who are deprived of their right to home and parental protection. In making an urgent appeal for subscriptions and donations the committee is confident that generous support will bo forthcoming at this time, when the conservation of child life is of more importance for the future of our Empire than it has ever been in tho past."