THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ORPHANS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1268, 11 April 1878, Page 3

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ORPHANS.

The “Nelson Mail ” understands that it is the intention of the Government, in the exercise of that economy which they consider necessary to the successful administration of the affairs of the colony, to discontinue the payment of the small subsidies hitherto granted to orphanages, but what they propose to do with the inmates has not yet been stated. In Nelson there are two of these institutions, one at Motueka under the excellent and kindly management of Mr Wallis, and the other at St. Mary’s Station in the town. At the former there are between forty and fifty, and the latter from fifteen to twenty, young children without parents and friends, and who but for the establishments in which they have found food, shelter, clothing, and careful training, would be in a state of destitution, and growing up the very outcasts of society, unless, indeed, they were in the meantime starved to death. Towards the support of these orphans the Government have been paying the sum of one shilling per day, and this amount, by extreme care in its expenditure, and aided by occasional gifts of money, clothing, &c., from the charitably disposed has been found sufficient to defray the cost of these useful institutions. Now, however, they are to be deprived of this pittance. What is to become of these children is a question that really does not appear to have caused the slightest anxiety to the authorities. They must live, but by whom are they to be supported when the State casts them off p There is certainly one solution of the difficulty, though not a pleasant or a desirable one to resort to. If they are turned loose in the streets they will then be sure to find their way into the police courts as vagrants, having no lawful means of support, and as such will be committed to gaol, where they will probably cost the country more than they do at present, while they will at the same time be graduating in crime instead of growing up respectable members of the community. This will bo a triumphant success for the Government to achieve and to bo able to boast of at the next meeting of Parliament.