EVILS OF TOWN LIFE.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 September 1923, Page 1

EVILS OF TOWN LIFE.

mi. .trues -m'M>s WAiiNixr;

[by T]•;JAK<JUA L’H—I’Klt I’JIKSS ASSOCIATION

CHRISTCHURCH, Sep. 24

Archbishop Julius, in an address to fathers and mothers, dwelt upon the opportunities which were available tor the children, and said that, if they crowded into cities, it would be their own fault.. ’(’ln* land was broad, and the people should develop a strong vigorous and healthy race in body, morals and in mind. Were they doing

His Grace relcred to the pli.vsiial condition of the generation which was growing up, and said that one could stand in the Cathedral Square any day and see weak and unhealthy youths and girls. In the country, on the other hand, were found strapping folk, but in the towns this was not so. The moral condition ol New E eland "-* verv low. ho said. He knew that Ins point would be debated, but be would refer tbc-m to the report ot the t ommisiou of the Hoard of Health upon the subject. They would see lor themselves what illegitimacy there was in New Zealand. The spiritual condition was low, and there was an astounding ignorance displayed with regard to religion. Ho referred to the large number of institutions which were uecesary in New Zealand to look alter other people's children, who had hocti deserted by their fathers and neglected 1 1 \- their mothers. The people wanted State institutions to bring up children hut the State did not know any more about training children than about training horses. Although there might he worse countries than New Zealand

- and he had no doubt but that there were— this Dominion should he hotter than it was.

Speaking of tin* education of the present day. His Grace said that one eon Id pick up an examination paper at any one of the schools, and could find there questions relating to a large number of subjects, but there was nothing in them about parentage. The mothers ;md fathers of the future were educated at these schools, hut it was not; there that they picked up their knowledge of sexual matters. They gained such knowledge! in the streets—worse luck —and there seemd to lie no real training with regard to parenthood There was nothing to he ashamed of about it. It was the gift of God, and it was of infinite value to the State.