A SHOCKING PRACTICE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 266, 17 December 1909, Page 2

A SHOCKING PRACTICE.

UNWANTED CHILDREN. UUOfPED ON THE BANKS OF THE WANGANUI RIVEK. DISCUSSION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. When the Industrial Schools Bill was under consideration in committee of the Legislative Council this evening, uie Hon. Jenkinson drew. attention to die practice, as reported in the daily paters, which had grown up of dropp:.':;r .ang children on the banks of the \,.,uganni river so that they could l.\ adopted by Maoris, and urged that something should he done to stop the practice. It had grown to such an extent that they had heard that in one case four children between the ages of four and nine, who could not speak or read English, were living under such conditions that consumption seemed almost a certainty. Ths Attorney-General said he was glad the matter had been mentioned. He had been very much shocked to read the reports alluded to, and was calling for police reports on the whole position. The law as it stood was sufficient to meet the case, if established, but the law they were then passing would iielp them in dealing with the position. Replying to suggestions, the Minister said his first duty was. the safety of the children. Having achieved tnat, lie would, as Minister for justice, if permitted, deal with the parents too.