THE GOVERNOR’S VIEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 399, 25 April 1902, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR’S VIEWS.

PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, last night.

Speaking at the annual meeting of the Society for the Protection of Women and Children and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Lord Ranfurly said he noticed i that the Society -had an Inspector of AniinWU, hut he did not see that the Society had' any officer to look after the interest? of children, He thought such a man would be a boon. He was aware it was a heavy order, but trusted that it \yould come in time. There was practi-

cally very little intentional cruelty, but there was neglect of children. There was carelessness. He noticed also a paragraph in the report regarding the agitation for a change in the laws. He did not think it was the laws that wanted altering, but the action of local authorities that allowed absconding husbands to leave their wives and children to tight for themselves. He understood the Charitable Aid Board would rather keep a wife and family than , . non .-JO

bear the initial expense of £2O or £3O to bring back a husband. It would be far cheaper for a charitable aid board to he very strict in bringing every absconder back, and make him perform his proper obligations, than to support wives and children, who had in one or two instances he knew of been deserted in a most scandalous and shameful manner.