CONDUCT OF GIRLS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 October 1943, Page 3

CONDUCT OF GIRLS

“SHOCKING THINGS HAPPENING” REMITS PASSED BY JUSTICES’ ASSOCIATION (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Concern about the behaviour of young girls “apparently congregating in towns where Allied service men are visiting” was expressed at tne annual conference of the Federation of New Zealand Justices' Associations in Wellington yesterday. Mr J. B. Paterson (Auckland) said that shocking things were happening to young girls, and young men were being led astray. The Government should introduce appropriate legislation to protect the morals of the community. A remit was adopted, suggesting that, as an urgent war measure, police should be given authority to question any young girl found loitering alone or with a male companion in a doorway or side street at a late hour, unless waiting foi' a conveyance to go home.

Stating that there had been a considerable influx of young girls, particularly Maoris, to the cities, another remit adopted suggested the employment of women police, who could be primarily responsible for ensuring the better behaviour of these girls or their return to their own district. The conference also expressed the opinion that a clause should be inserted in the Offenders’ Probation Amendment Bill, providing that, on complaint from parent, guardian, police or proba-

tion officer, any young person between the ages of 17 and 21 years, who was delinquent or living in a detrimental environment, could be brought before a magistrate in chambers, who could, without recording a conviction, make an order placing such a person on probation.