The Globe. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1879.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1549, 5 February 1879, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1879.

It in to bo hoped for flu; credit of Canterbury that there are no more fathers like McGrath, whose tender parental care towards his daughter was the subject of investigation before Mr. Mellish. Tnc particulars of the case, as detailed in evidence, show that this man exhibited towards the unfortunate girl a brutal neglect such as one could hardly believe to ho possible. Left without covering and for days without food, the child was far worse off than the boasts she was set to watch. Yet withal there is a grim humor pervading the story. When told by the sergeant of police of the miserable condition in which his child was, the kind parent, who lay snugly housed, mentioned that he was .about to visit the “ dear sw-eet child.” This ho it remembered was the man who had sent a girl of fourteen out to herd with the boasts, with scarcely food or clothing and without caring one jot what became of her. That such barbarity should exist in a civilised country is hardly conceivable. When wo sco the idea of parental responsibility which possesses the mind of McGrath, it is not to wondered at that another member of his family, a son, who might under happier influences have turned out a useful member of society, has fallen into a career of crime. Wo have called attention to this ease because it appears to us that some provision should ho made, if it does not already exist, for executing on such inhuman parents some punishment beyond that of the contempt and scorn of all right-thinking men. If a man shuts an animal up in a yard insufficiently protected from the weather, and starves it, he is liable, under statute, to imprisonment and fine. Wo ask whether the cases, as regards the circumstances, are not analagous ? This poor child was driven forth into the Sandhills, with hut scant protection against the weather, without clothes and without food for days. Yet there appears to be no law to punish the author of all this. That is. we assume there is none, or Mr. Mellish would doubtless have given the tender father, whoso anxiety to visit the “ dear sweet child” was so groat, a good long sojourn with Mr. Restou at Addington. The case then stands thus The illtreatment of an animal by starvation and exposure —result imprisonment! Illtreatment by the same moans of a girl of fourteen —result a magisterial lecture ! Now avo cannot think for one moment that such a state of things is right. This man, who has by his conduct degraded himself below the level of tho saA r ago should have been made to recognise by the only argument to which ho is probably amenable—viz., severe punishment by the law—that lie has duties to fulfil towards his children. Magisterial reproof, however severe, or tho contempt of his neighbours, can have little or no effect upon such a man. But a sojourn at Addington and a little healthy exorcise with spado and harroAV in tho public service, or perhaps, occasionally, a touch of tho cat, would teach him a lesson ho would remember for life. This it must ho borne in mind, is no more personal matter. It is one Avhich affects the whole community, perhaps far more heavily than at first sight is apparent. Parents such as McGrath, and conduct such as his swell the ranks of tho thieves and lost women of tho city. It is through such men that our gaols and reformatories are kept supplied with inmates. Means should positively exist for punishing such barbarity. If a man maltreats a cow or a calf, he can ho imprisoned for a period, or fined aceording to tho discretion of (he magistrate. But in the case of a child a man can snap his fingers at tho law. Now that attention has boon drawn to the matter, it may ho well to consider tho desirableness of enacting a law hearing on the subject. Years may elapse—and we | trust will—before its provi-iens would recpiiro to ho put into force, lm‘ the mere j fact of its existence on the statute hook! would act as a deterrent to any one

who felt inclined 1o imitate Mr McGrath. It, is quite certain that tlie anomaly which grants to animals protection, and to children none, should cea«o. It is satisfactory to notice that the Goliornmcnt have abandoned the cheese paring policy of economy which prevented, New Zealand from being adequately represented at the recent Paris Exhibition. They have decided that this colony shall put in a, good appearance at (Sydney in August next. A central commission has boon appointed, at whoso disposal £2OOO lias been placed, and local sub-committees will shortly ho added. Wo trust that those in Canterbury who can exhibit, will, on this occasion, strain every norvo to send forward such a collection as will ho worthy of ns. This will be no mere competition of the colonies. English and French exhibitors have applied for space, so that our products will come into competition with those of the old world countries, Therefore it is that wo should do our best to send from hero such articles as will show what our country is capable of producing and manufacturing. Lot the intending exhibitors cordially cooperate with the local committee to this end, and wo have no fear of Canterbury occupying a backward position amongst the provincial districts of New Zealand. Wo hope the central commission will make such a selection for a local commit ice as will ensure the services of our best men. Wo do not want men who will do nothing but take. What we want is an energetic working committee, with a smart active secretary. The latter is the most important appointment of all, for on the activity, tact, and energy of that officer will depend, to a groat extent, the kind of show that wo shall make at the exhibition.