A GRAVE STATE OF AFFAIRS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 109, 28 October 1911, Page 6

A GRAVE STATE OF AFFAIRS

J MORALITY OF YOUNG PEOPLE. Auckland, October 25. Some comments on one aspect of the morality of the young people in Auckland were contained in a report on St. Mary's Homes presented at the Anglican Synod yesterday afternoon. The committee admitted that home were, after all "only an ambulance at the bottom of the precipice" (to use Miss EH ice Hopkins' words) and that very little in proportion to' the need was being done in Auckland "to make a fence at the top of the precipice." They were told that all the institutions of a similar nature had been full tlus year, and applications were being refused for want of room. From a social point of view this was a grave st;tte of affairs and gave cause for thought. Those who knew the history of these girls knew how in Auckland open at night, unlighted and unpoliced, play in ruining the girls of Auckland. If the number of girls who entered the reserves at night was known the public conscience would be shocked. If the truth about this were known it would startle many fathers and mothers out of their careless apathy about their children. In the year there were thirteen girls between }4 and 17 years of age admitted to St. Mary's to become mothers whilst yet mere children, and in only one case was a prosecution obtained because either the culprits had disappeared or too long a time had elapsed before a complaint was laid. It was much to be desired that the law upon this point should be altered and that the parents of these poor children should be less apathetic in- the matter. Efforts had been made in 30 cases to obtain payment from the men concerned. Seventeen orders for maintenance had been made and twelve voluntary agreements were secured. The rest failed.