PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1925, Page 3

PARLIAMENT

LHV TKI.KOII.U’It —nut PRESS association.] THE HOUSE. WELLINGTON. July 17. The House met at 2.3!) p.m. The aHeriionn sitting was occupied with a- discussion oil the report ol the Special Committee on deterioration of lands iu the central districts of the North Island. The Minister (lion A. D. McLeod) said the committee had inspected 87 LOCO acres, forty per cent, of which were going hack to their primitive state. 'flic discus-ion was 'adjourned and will lie resumed next week. At the evening sitting the following Bills were lead a second time:—Kauri (Jilin Control, Stone Quarries Amendment. Weights and Measures, and the Iron and Steel Industries Amendment. The I louse rose at 10.30 till 2.30 on Tuesday.

Sir James Pari', explaining the Child Welfare Bill, said that ii purposed to put -lie special schools for defective i hildren on a proper footing, changing the name from Special Schools to Child Welfare Department. Altogether there were about live thousand children in charge ol the State, and now more up-to-date legislation was required to enable the Education Department to deal effectively with them. In many respects move power uas required. Efforts were being made to substitute a bo'iriilng-ont sv-tem for the old disciplinary institutions, attendance at which was reduced by about 85 per cent. Children hoarded out were watched and carefully followed tip, and the experience was that in tlie homes selected for them they had a much better chance than if brought up in disciplinary instil ill ion.-. This brunch was costing .something like £105.90'.) annually, but against, lliat tliere was a recovery ol from £28.099 io £30.1)0') annually. The measure did not- contemplate any increased expenditure. The most important proposal was the creation ol children’s Courts, in which offenders would lie dealt with on the lines ol protection and guidance for the children rather than punishment. A special Magistrate would he selected lor the purpose, and lie would he assisted by n skilled lady referee. Roman Catholie children would lie still committed I" Roman Catholie institutions, as at present. It was proposed that illegitimate children should he notified to tne .superintendent ol Child Weliare Depart incut. This was done because it had been found that the death-rate amongst illegitmate children was 100 per cent, higher than amongst children of t!m same age horn in wedlock.