ENGLISH ADOPTION LAW

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1926, Page 2

ENGLISH ADOPTION LAW

N.Z. QUOTED AS MODEL

BILL BEFORE COMMONS.

[Australian A- X.Z. Cable Association.]

LONDON, February 20

The systems of adoption prevailing in the Dominions and India were freely referred to in tlie House of Commons during the discussion of a private member's bill dealing with the adoption of children, which was read a second time.

The hill was introduced by the Conservative. Mr J. F. W. Galbraith, K.C.. to legalise the adoption of children in Britain, provided each adoption is sanctified by the High Court or the Police Court. The hill provides that a child cannot he adopted by a person of less than twenty-one years older than the infant, or by one of two spouses without the other, or by a person not domiciled in Britain.

Mr Galbraith, in moving the’ second reading, declared: “We are behind the Continental countries, America and the Dominions in this matter.” The bill would .Mr Gailbraith said, abolish the secrecy now practised by adoption societies in regard to the whereabouts of a child in view of the possibility of parents reclaiming their children.

Sir W. Jeyntoii-llirks (Minister of Health) whole hearledly supporting Die hill, said Du; legal systems of adoption were working admirably in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, particularly New Zealand, concerning which Sir William quoted a statement by the Senior Magistrate of the city of Wellington (Mr W. G. Riddell) that the New Zealand system of adoption was in every way successful.