The Curfew Law. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 69

The Curfew Law. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,— On November 13 last you kindly inserted in your paper a letter from me on the urgent desirability of the establishment; of some system whereby the children of our country might be protected from ths great evils resulting from late hours on the streets without guardianship. I have now received further information on this subject from some who are practically in* terested in this important matter, and who have also lived long in cities in which this curfew law has for years been successfully enforced. I shall be grateful for the publication by you of a few extracts from the communications relative to this law which have just reached me. — I am, etc., Hon. Sup. Moral Depaktuex* W.C.T.U,

40 Cargill street.

Statistics show that we have in the reform schools of the United States 20,000 boys and girls, and 98 per cent, of these are from the cities, towns, and villages. Two hundred thousand boys and girls are arrested in the United States every, year.

The revival of the curfew movement in our country was started in 1894 by the Boys' and Girls' National Home Employment Association. After" years of careful study of hoqdlumism and crime among" - boys, this society recommended the revival " of the curfew as the most practical remedy. Since then more than 1000 cities^ and towns have adopted it. The list of these towns can be supplied by the writer of this letter.

The curfew law meets with opposition, in the beginning, but with favour after in is tried. No reform of- social conditions vcas ever carried out unattended with cliffi-— , culties and opposition. Many who approve laws forbidding* child labour in factories or compelling parents to send children to school oppose" a curfew, law because ifc seems to interfere with the rights of the . parents. "" This is a mistake. Instead of interfering with any inherent rights of parents it assists parents in discharging their duty to their children and the community. The curfew interferes only with the wishes of those parents who ignore their duty.

The testimony of Mayors, police, schoot teachers, and prominent citizens where the curfew ordinance is enforced has been almost universally favourable. There ha* been a reduction of from 50 to 100 per cent.- in commitments of youths to reform schools.

The curfew law is as essential to the well-being of the young in a village as irt a city. The size of the place, either greafe or small, should be no reason why the law should not be enacted.

In a few places the steam whistle blows in various parts of, the city, but in most cities the firebell sounds to notify the youth that the hour has arrived for seeking their, homes for the night. Do not accept ths. ordinance without the' signal. It is use-> less.

It is a well-known fact that street education is demoralising in the extreme, an* if we can save the children from ifs pernicious influence, we shall lessen crime and , pauperism »and promote the best interestsof the home.

Teachers in the public schools tell ua where the curfew law has been faithfully, tried it has increased the attendance at school and raised the standard of ths pupils in both deportment and lessons, especially .among the middle and poorer classes. To secure this law we must work with* literature and petitions until tJie object is accomplished, never yielding to discouragement

Mr Helen L. Bullock writes: — "It ha* been my privilege during the last 19 years to stand at the head of a training school for wayward, erring girls, and not one girl' under Curfew age has ever come there from a Curfew town. However, the age is tog low and the hour too late. In over 5000 towns and cities the Curfew bell rings oi whistle blows at 8 p.m. in winter and 9 in summer, to warn the youth under 1b off tho streets. In some cities the age is 14 and 15, and in a few 17. Provision is made foi the messenger boy, the child going for a, physician, or on any other important errand.. Otherwise all children under Curfew age, unaccompanied by parent or adult guardian, are for the first offence -warned and taken home, for the eeoond arrested and parents fined, and for continued violations .sent to the Reform School. Notwithstanding this fact this ordinanco has greatl* reduced the number in the Reform Schools."