Protecting the Weak.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXIV, Issue 3751, 7 April 1908, Page 2

Protecting the Weak.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. Amongst the deputations which waited on Sir Joseph Ward was one from the Society for the Protection of Women and Children, supported by the Society for the Promotion of the Health of Women and Children. The Rev. W. Curzon Siggers explained that the object of the deputation was to get the Industrial Schools Act of 1882 amended in the following directions:—l. That societies such as those represented should be permitted, through their president and secretary, to lay complaint under section 16, dealing with children living in undesirable surroundings, etc., this power at present resting with the police; 2. That a magistrate may commit a child when he is satisfied that, morally or physically, the surroundings of the child's life are such as to militate against healthy and j moral development; 3. That on the j plan of the children's courts in England and America, stipendiary magis- : trates be empowered to deal with | cases under the Industrial Schools j Act, by holding an enquiry, with the , freedom, re evidence, of a Coroner's , Court, rather than after the formal and legal methods of a Police Court. The deputation also sought an amendment to the Destitute Persons Act, to provide—l. That a wife, or society acting for a wife or child, may apply to have a wage earners' wages attached for the support of a destitute wife or child. At present only the Minister, or local authority or trustees can apply, and this meets practically no cases of distress till too late. 2. To insert additional definition to make it clear that a wage earner, that is, a person liable to support a wife or child, shall be deemed to have deserted one or other if he is proved, to the satisfaction of the magistrate, to waste his money by drinking or gambling, to the detriment of those dependent on him. Sir Joseph promised the fullest consideration of the requests by the Government. He was at one with those who urged that all protection should be given to women and children, consistent with what was due to the rights of individuals. The Government would be only too glad to try and improve things. The aims of the society, as set forth by Mr Siggers, formed the basis of legislation which would be brought down next session, and of which he personally approved. Very valuable reform could be effected whereby proceedings could be taken, on behalf of women who were, under existing conditions, afraid to proceed on their own behalf for fear of after consequences, for attachment of wages. He agreed that the definition of a "wage earner" in the Act should be widened. The Government would have to go carefully into these matters, for interference sometimes made matters worse. The Government was very anxious to assist in the preservation of infant Ufe, and to help women who, unfortunately, too often re quired outside assistance.