MATERNAL HOMES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1734, 27 April 1906, Page 2

MATERNAL HOMES.

THE PREMIER AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES. iu

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, last night. The vexed question of Maternity Homes for the aooommodation of single girls, or " fallen women,'’ was placed before Mr Seddon by a deputation to-day. The Rev. T. K Elliott eaid it seemed extraordinary to him that no provision was made in State Maernity Homes for oases of this kind. He did not think the Homes were ecoomplishing what the publio thought they would. He suggested that there Bhould be a wing added to the Slate Homes for such oases. Dr Edith Huntley said the interests of ojhildren made neoessary £he establishment of a Home tyhere every woman,' no matter hovv degraded, or how 'many previous lapses m ! ght be obarged against her, would meet' with competent and humane treatment in her urgent necessity. MrSeddob, in'reply, said' that' it was most reprehensible that' unfortunate women should be placed in the positioa they wepe in Wellington, when the legislature had intended that provision should be made for them, and had even provided the money. Considering the wealth of the charitable aid district, which included the city and Wairarapa, there ought to be ample provision. He wanted to know why the Charitable Aid Board of this, the wealthiest district in the oolony, had not done something to meet suoh emergencies. The Government’s answer was that there was ample power and money already provided to meet auoh oases. The State hospitals were intended for oases entirely different. Suoh cases oould not be treated in State bones where reepeolable women were sent, even to the extent of adding a wing for Shat special purpose. Still girls who had been misled were entitled to aseielaooe, and no olty was properly equipped whioh did not possess an institution for that purpose. Parliament granted 24s for every ill voluntarily subscribed, and 20s for every , ill of rates collected by a local body. , Surely the wealth of tbe oommuoity wes entitled to find something. It was tbe duty of Chatitable Aid Boards to deal with tbo matter.