The White Ribbon. For God and Home and Humanity. WELLINGTON, NOV. 19, 1917. THE QUESTION OF ILLEGITIMACY.

White Ribbon, Volume 23, Issue 269, 19 November 1917, Page 9

The White Ribbon. For God and Home and Humanity. WELLINGTON, NOV. 19, 1917. THE QUESTION OF ILLEGITIMACY.

The Hon. G. W. Russell, speaking in Wellington at the annual meeting of the Society for Protection of Women and Children, referred to what he characterised as “a most appalling matter,” the illegitimacy question. He would have to tell his audience some terrible truths, but if they were truths, they ought certainly to be made known. Five years ago the Statistics Department began compiling figures showing the ages of mothers of illegitimate children, with the following results :

During the four years under consideration no fewer than 2071 illegitimate children were born to mothers of the age of 21 and under. When it was remembered that the age of consent was 16 years, it would be recognised that a sorrowful state of affairs existed. The Minister called on the women of the country to assist in checking this evil; and he stated that he hoped very soon one or two suitable women would be appointed as Health Patrols, so as to guard the young and unwise who went about the streets and public place-, and were thus exposing themselves to temptation and danger.

Years 1912 1913 19U 1915 Totals *3 4 — — — 4 M 5 4 7 4 20 1 5 12 U >7 M 57 16 II 32 38 30 *3i »7 7« 54 73 62 260 18 94 «7 110 88 379 »9 • s 7 114 U5 114 430 20 84 9i 114 118 407 21 92 100 102 89 383 Totals 480 496 576 5i9 2071