BIRCHING INQUIRY.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 403, 9 April 1937, Page 7

BIRCHING INQUIRY.

COMMONS CHEERS. Move for Abolition. London, March 19. Ch ers rang through the Houte of Commons when the Daiyy Herald campaign against .he birching of chil dren scored an important victory. Sir John Simon, the Home Secretary, announce] that he would appoint a smaJl Depar mental committee to considei the whole question and. report to him. This only three (hays after Sir TohD had refused to take any action to stop birching. “This is a subj.ct on which many people have strong views on on side or the other,” he said, “and it is one regarding which the practice of the juvenile Courts di.Ter widely. If the report is to be of value, the m mbers of the committee must be select;d v*;th a view to seeing that they approach th subject with open minds.’ “Then don’t put me on the commit ee,” exc’. imed Mr Will Thorne, Labour member for Plaistow, who brougl? up a family of 10. “I have not got an open mind.” A storm broke out when Mr F. A. Macquisten, K C., the Tory member for Argyle, trotted out, “Spare the rod and. spoil the child.” “Would you have your boys torched?” demanded Labour mem hers. Sir John Simon’s decision is popular in all parts of ihe House. His stiitement that 164 boys were birched iast year and 218 in 1935 horrified all lovers of children. If the report is favourable, Sir John can urge all magistrates to stop the barbarous and ineffective floggings of boys. Next s ep must be the legal prohibition of birching.