E.— 4

24

where, in view of the fact that we favour the care of destitute children, normal in mind and body, in families whenever practicable. We recognise the right of each State to protect itself from vicious, diseased, or defective children from other States by the enactment of reasonable protective legislation ; but experience proves that tinreception of healthy normal children is not only an act of philanthropy, but also secures a valuable increment to the population of the community and an ultimate increase of its wealth. The people of the more prosperous and less congested districts owe a debt of hospitality to the older communities from which many of them came. We earnestly protest, therefore, against such legislation as is prohibitive in form or in effect, and urge that, where it exists, it be repealed. Permanent Organization. 12. The care of dependent children is a subject about which nearly every session of the Legislature of every State in the Union concerns itself ; it is a work in which State and local authorities in many States are engaged, and in which private agencies are active in every State : important decisions are being made constantly by associations, institutions, and public authorities, affecting questions of policy, the type of buildings to be constructed, the establishment of an adequate system of investigating homes and visiting children placed in homes, and scores of important matters affecting the well-being of needy children. Each of these decisions should be made with full knowledge of the experience of other States and agencies, and of the trend of opinion among those most actively engaged in the care of children, and able to speak from wide experience and careful observation. One effective means of securing this result would be the establishment of a permanent organization to undertake, in this field, work comparable to that carried on by the National Playground Association, the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis, the National Child-labour Committee, and other similar organizations in their respective fields. It is our judgment that the establishment of such a permanent voluntary organization, under auspices which would insure a careful consideration of all points of view, broad-mindedness, and tolerance, would be desirable and helpful, if reasonably assured of adequate financial supp<> friliin/ Children's Bureau. 13. A Bill is pending in Congress lor the establishment of a Federal Children's Bureau to collect and disseminate information affecting the welfare of children. In our judgment the establishment of such a bureau is desirable, and we earnestly recommend the enactment of the pending measure. Summary. 11. The preceding suggestions may be almost completely summarised in this that the particular condition and needs of each destitute child should be carefully studied, and that he should receive that care and treatment which his individual needs require, and which should be as nearly as possible like the life of the other children of the community. 15. We respectfully recommend that you send to Congress a message urging favourable action upon the Bill for a Federal Children's Bureau, and the enactment of such legislation as will bring the laws and the public administration of the District of Columbia and other Federal territory into harmony with the principles and conclusions herein stated ; and we further recommend that you cause to be transmitted to the Governor of each State of the Union a copy of the proceedings of this Conference for the information of the State Board of Charities or other body exercising similar powers. Yours very respectfully, By order of the Conference, Hastings H. Hart, Edmoxd J. Butler, Julian W. Mace, Homer Folks. James E. West, Committee on Resolutions. The above letter, embodying the conclusions of the Conference on the Care of Dependent Children, was unanimously adopted at the close of the afternoon session on Tuesday, the 26th January, 1909. Homer Folks, Vice-Chairman. James E. West, Secretary.

BOARDING-OUT OF CHILDREN. Opinions and Suggestions of Officers who bave had Experience >>v res Administration. Education Department, Wellington, 4th November, 1908. Memirrandum for Officers respecting the Boarding-out System. It has been represented to the Government that the bqarding-out system is defective for the following reasons :— (a.) The difficulty of obtaining suitable'homes : (b.) The impossibility of classification :