. * PENDENT CHILDREN. INTERSTATE CONGRESS OF WORKERS. Adelaide, May, 1909. THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES DEPENDENT CHILDREN. 7^9 INTERSTATE CONGRESS OF WORKERS. <& Adelaide, May, 1909. [DB w , ] tAa & Go Pa rw 3tbbbt H 1 CONGRESS OF WORKERS AMONG DEPENDENT CHILDREN. Meetings held in the Deputation Room, Public Works Office, Victoria Square, Adelaide, South Australia, from Monday, May 17, to Saturday, May 22, 11)09 (both days inclusive). . must be true thysi It, If thou the true wouldst teach ; Thy soul must overflow, if thou Another's soul wouldst reach. Bow of heart it needs To give the lips full spi Think truly, and thy thoughts - .. !] the world's famine feed : lk truly, and each word of thine .1 he .i fruitful -' Live truly, and thy life shall be A great and noble creed. — Horatius Bonar. First Day, Monday, May 17th. Full List of Delegates : — Queensland— Mrs. J. Williams (National Council of Women), Mr. W. P. Spargo (Secretary Society for Prevention of Cruelty), and Mr. G. A. Ferguson (Inspector of Orphanages). New South WaQes -Mr. A. W. (Jieen (Boarding-out Officer Relief Board), and Mr. II. <;. Maxted (Secretary to the Board). Tasmania Mrs. J. <:. Edwards and Mr. Milner MacMaster. Victoria .Miss Vida Goldstein (Women's Political Associa- tion), Mr. Thomas Smith (Secretary Departmenl for Neglected Children) and Mr. A. I-:. Clarke (Chief Probationer Officer). Western Australia— Mrs. Cover (Society for the Protection of Children), Very Rev. Dean Latham (Perth), and Mr. J. Long- more (Secretary State Children's Council). South Australia The President (Mr. W. T. Rhodes), and iii.ci-s of the State Children's Council. General Secretary, Mr. James Gray (Secretary State < i oundl). 13535S0 ELECTION OP PRESIDENT. Mr. 0. ii. Goode (South Australia) moved "That the Pre Bldenl of the si;iio Children's Council of South Australia (Mr. I'. Rhodes) be elected Chairman. Mr. T. u. Smeaton, M.P., seconded. The motion wms carried. Mr. T. Rhodes acknowledged the greal bonour thai had been done him and promised to do his best. His health was not sufficiently established i<> take i in* whole of the work, and he would be pleased if thej would appoinl a Deputy-Chairman also, lie BUggested, if there were no nominations, the name of Mr. .1. i longmore. Mr. E. W. Hawker (South Australia) seconded the suggestion, w hit. li was adopted. Mr. .1. Longmore (Western Australia) si would be glaa to do what he could. SECRETARY'S RIGHT TO VO Mr. J. Gray (South Australia) hail a sr__ 3tion to make It would be of interest to the public if it were known how the voting at the Congress went, ami it would have weight also with the Governments of the states if motion- were known to be carried unanimously. The voting would be by V 'i' • s. and in i of dispute a division would be taken and the names ivcor He proposed that. Mrs. Edwards (Tasmania) seconded. Mr. Smeaton (South Australia) wished I • a point he the nMiioii was carried. He wanted to know if Mr. Gray to be regarded as a member of the Con^i Secretaries were l.ot always members of Conferences, and Mr. dray would think him interfering if he asked that the point should be settled. Chairman said that he thought Mr. Gray was esseutiaLly •a member of the Congress. Secretaries from the other States were members, and they should not disfranchise their own officer. Mr. Smeaton (South Australia) moved— '"That Mr. Gray considered a member of the Congress." Mr. Longmore (Western Australia) second- The motion was carried. Mr. Gr ■■lion relating to voting ■>. ried. Mr. Gray South Australia moved— "That Mr. Howard H. op I..- Mb Secret o gn -- The motion was carri (d 5 THE OPENING ADDRESS. The Chairman (Mr. T. Rhodes) delivered his address as follows : — '• On behalf of the State Children's Council it is rny pleasing duty to offer a very cordial welcome to you ladies and gentle- men, who have travelled long distances in order to be pre- sent and take part in what I believe will be an important Congress. This remark is justified by the consideration that you represent the interests of thousands of neglected, depen- dent, and delinquent children all over the Commonwealth. The importance of our work is accentuated by the fact that the section of the community whose interests we meet to con- sider frequently is drawn from a social stratum that demands the most careful and sympathetic treatment. They may merge into the community as useful members of the body politic, or they may become a burden and menace to society. The proper discipline, treatment, and training of these young people are your particular responsibility, and your presence here is sufficient evidence of the profound interest you take in this important matter. UNIFORMITY WANTED. When these facts are taken into consideration we can arrive at a fairly cor imate of the scope and influence of this Co _ ■-. Australian history, 1 believe, supplies no instance where the States have combined to obtain some a ; ee of uniformity of enactment and administration, and also to rn child, anil training him or her for a lite (ability and usefulness With the addition of two !• topics, viz.. to fairly ami squarely look ai the qui of infant mortality ami the contrivance of drastic machinery impelling unworthy parents to contribute maintenance, Idealistic. 6 A NATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY. While the subjects to be considered at this Congress may appeal to those more particularly engaged in the ministry of the children, we have ample evidence thai leaders of though! everywhere have the deepesl interest in the subjects we i>r<» pose to discuss. we regret exceedingly thai through slight indisposition His Excellency the Governor is not. with us to-day, but we are glad to have his representative (Mr. Baillie- Hamilton). (Applause.) We shall look forward with mv.it interest to lli> Excellency being with us later on. 'The fact of the .Ministry being represented is distinctly encourag ing, and is ample evidence of the practical sympathy and interest felt in the work. We may also congratulate OUr- selve that generally wo have the sympathy of the press, the police. ;md the Court officials in some phases at loasl of Our duty. The present day is said to he ".in age of child worship." Perhaps the dawn of a more intelligent and thoughtful ap preciation of the potentialities of the rising generation or the fact that we have fallen upon an age of declining birth rate, may have led to fears of a child famine. Whatever the con- tributing reasons may be, all patriots will rejoice at the truer estimate of the value of a child, whether horn in the purple or the unwelcome offspring that first sees the light in the rags and poverty of the slums. Every child is a national responsibility, as well as a national asset, and be or she should be modelled into an element of national strength. PROBATION WORK REQUIRED. The philanthrophic side of our work, however, will not monopolize our thought. There are some matters of busi- ness which necessarily will engage our earnesl attention. There is the matter of attempting to reach seme degree of uniformity of practice anil co-operation among the various States. South Australians are not disposed to bide their light under a bushel in reference to their system of dealing with neglected and dependent chhdren. Their methods have been ably and lucidly explained by Miss Spence in her valu- able work on the "State Child in Australia."' (Applause.) one resuU of this publication has been a series of enquiries from the other States, and also from philanthropists in Eng- land and Europe. It may be therefore pertinently asked why seek abroad for counsel and advice, if so well Informed ? We reply, we do not claim to have reached perfection, and shall, therefore, be glad to sit at the feet of any whose wis dom and experience can aid us to further improvement. Without doubt there is a splendid freemasonry in our aims mid efforts, which no mere geographical lines can effect. In this connection if we can in some degree unify our work tangible benefit will accrue. Co-operation in the matter of collecting maintenance from defaulting parents will relieve the Government of some of its burdens, and will go far to provide a barred door to the nomadic wife and children de- serters. Action of this kind to be effective in Australia must be essentially reciprocal. It is perhaps difficult to dissociate the official or professional idea when continuously immersed in the duties of an office. We would fain hope, however. that one result of our Congress will be the development of the full-orbed humanitarian instinct which will command personal service in dealing with our wards. Our objective should be distinctly preventive effort. The probation work will be a powerful factor in this agency. It was with the greatest pleasure that I heard of the recent successful and enthusiastic Conference of Probation Officers in Melbourne. Probation work has come to stay. As far as our limited experience goes, we are more than satisfied that splendid work has been done locally for our young people. Conduct and character have been improved, and the public purse saved. This comparatively new adjunct to child-saving work is worthy of consideration by the Congress, with a view to its still further development. BOARDING OUT. It is unnecessary to say one word in advocacy of the splen- did boarding out system. It is a proved success, with which Mis< ('lark's name will ever be honourably associated. Even in this matter, however, we have not reached the Canadian standard. It is impossible to read the admirable Ontario reports without coming to this conclusion. The success in securing homes of pure adoption therein recorded is simply marvellous. Even some of our subsidized homes are not free from suspicion that children are taken simply to enable the foster parents to eke out a living. In some of t cases there is danger, however, systematically they may be Visited, thai the Child's surroundings are but little Letter than those from which they have been rescued, at least as fa dietary i- concerned. Of course, the ideal conditions are wholesome family life with good moral and religious training. Why should we be content with a lower standard than tl ! Canadian ? Surely in these broad lands of sunny Australia there is ample scope fOT young life as there is in the land ol our " Lady of the snows." in New York the editor of The 8 Delineator started a campaign to secure homes Cor dependent children, and the result was remarkable. Hundreds of eager bands were extended for the children, some men and women Journeying Cor 1,000 miles to secure a little one lor their child- less homes. Can we preach a children's crusade that will have ii BCecl of opening closed doors Cor the free admis- sion :ii)(l adoption of dependent little ones V It' we can enrich homes by so doing .1 social and national blessing will be conferred. VALUE OF FAMILY LIFE. While we must have receiving depots Cor the neglected and reformatories for the delinquent, we must avoid Institu- tlonizing the children. Childhood's joys and home endear- ments are largely unknown by the Institutionlzed child. The tish Poor i.aw report Cor the current year describes the surroundings of institutions "as dreary and unfit Cor chil- dren." The rep« it recommends "that effective stops should be taken to remove children from such environment, as it is impossible in barrack homes to produce alert, cheerful, and responsive hoys and girls." Here in Australia, such depres- sing conditions hardly obtain, but it is pretty safe to pro phesy. however, that the day is not far distant when improved methods will demand that only as receiving depots or disci plinary media will institutions exist. The management may be exemplary, the discipline perfect, and everything done with machineUke exactness, and yet fail previously in the output of sterling character and useful lives. There is doubtless a certain fascination about institutional children's homes, and what may he termed professional methods 01 treatment ; hut for best results pure, wholesome family life is incomparably to he preferred. (Applause.) It Is Bomewhal remarkable that boarded-out children in England are so little in eviden The Poor Law report above re- ferred to states that on January 1, 1908, there were only 1,876 children boarded out. while there were 234,792 in the care of the Poor Law Guardians. This fact demonstrates the difficulty ol effecting reforms in conservative England, and Bhows how ten;i< ioti- - leto methods are adhered to. This remark is made without - i ■ to minimize the oar- • the British authorities to improve matters. There may be difficulty in securing suitable homes or eligible foster parents. When we read, however, that under the presi : - stem ••many o. tildren arc growing up anae- mic, diseased, undisciplined, and unskilled." we feel that although we cannot disparage preparatory institutional train- ing, the death warrant of institutions, as places of perma- nent residence for children, is already signed. THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS. Just one word as to the latest progressive steps we have taken in South Australia, and I close. In addition to the probation work we have recently established a "State Chil- dren's Advancement Fund." for which we hope to receive assistance from our wealthy fellow-citizens. This is inten- ded to encourage the development of any special talent which our wards may possess, which cannot be provided for in ordinary expenditure. We have also made a new departure by inducing the Government to authorise the employment of a children's dentist for the exclusive benefit of our wards. (Applause?) This appointment will relieve much suffering, and in many cases prevent the development of incipient disease 1 . Lastly we have secured medical attendance for all children in the care of licensed luster mothers, whether con- ited with the department or otherwise. This is found to guard 10 infant life, and together with the most effective supervision exercised by our officers it lias reduced infant mortality to an extent unexampled in any civilized com- munities. The narration of these facts may appear egotistic. They are intended, however, to be simply suggestive of improved methods— a sentiment we trust which will be the keynote n\' the ''"ii-i^ss. The council trust that the visit will be enjoyable and profitable to every member of the Cong — and at its conclusion you will realize that the consideration given to the various subjects and the discussions thereon have been such as to lead to practical conclusions and bene- ficial results. We hope thai the interchange of thought will provide inspiration and stimulus to all altruistic workers, and that in - ■ • - ■ ■•• the Congress may be instrumental in easing 1 human happiness. (Applaus VICE-REGAL MESSAGE. 'II..- Chairo - <3 thai His Excellency had sent a mess to them by his Pri I - cretary, and they would be glad to hear I Mr. W. s. Baillie-Hamilton (Private Secretary] said His Ex- icy desired him to state that lie was not very well, and would have to spend the day quietly. His Excellency w mely sorry thai he was unable to he present, ma- did be expect n a visil to any Of the various institu- 10 9 on the following daj ; but lie hoped to be in attendance .-it the meeting of the Congress on Thursday. His Excellency w iiitcd him to Bay how deeply Interested he was in the work being done among dependent children throughout ••ill the States, and ln v hoped to hear Dr. McKellar's paper dealing with thai it subject. (Applause.) MINISTERIAL WELCOME. The Chief Secretary (Hon. i\ s. Wallis, M.L.C.) expressed his pleasure al being presem to extend n welcome to those who had conic from the other States to lake pari in the Congress. The work in the State Children's Department In this State and the corresponding departments in other states had been recognised by the Government of m South Aus- tralia as an extremely important one. if there was one ques- tion thai the Govemmenl required to consider in connection with the interests of the State it was what should be done with the children who had no parents and homes in which they could be brought up properly. Those children some day would become men and women, and what kind of men and women they would be depended upon the sort of childhood they passed. if there was no one to look after them they could not be other than a burden U< the State and a menace in some instances to its in- terests. What was wanted was that everything should be done during the plastic time of childhood to bring out what was good in them, and to give their minds the right direction. If they were left to take their chance the probabilities were that they ■would grow up ignorant, perhaps vicious, and become not Only a Lieat expense to the State, but also n bad example to many others, and in thai way do still further mischief. So far as the present Government could assist the Congress in carrying out any Of the decisions arrived at it would do so. i Applause.) During the short time he had had the honour of ocupying the position o1 Chief Secretary the Stat" Children's Department being under his control he had had brought home to him how very expensive the presenl system was in regard to the following up of men who deserted their wives and families. If only that question was dealt with and settled, and something like uniformity of action agreed upon between the States, and the system introduced by which an enormous, and in sonic cases fruitless, expense that had to be incurred would he saved, and which would assist in the tracing of the man. and the Insistence upon 1dm paying something toward the support of those for whom he was responsible, the Congress would have accomplished a greal work. He wished the gress every success, and he hoped that when the members 11 had finished their labours they would feel that they had accom- plished good work. (Applause.) COMMITTEES OF INSPECTION. Mr. Gray (South Australia i said he had arranged for the following Committees to visit the institutions iu which were children who were connected with the State Department :— Boys' Reformatory. Magill, and Girls" Probationary School, Beaumont — Mr. T. Rhodes. Dr. Rogers, and Mesdames MeAree, Cover, and Williams. Boys' Reformatory, Brooklyn Park, and Industrial School, Edwardstown— Lady Bonython. Misses Goldstein and Spence, and Messrs. Goode. Spargo, Smith, and Clarke. Boys' Probationary School. Mount Barker. Mesdames Ed- wards and Crompton and Messrs. Hawker and Ferguson. Girls' Reformatory, Redruth— Miss Stirling and Messrs. Long- more and MacMaster. INFANTILE MORTALITY. Some Contributory Causes to the High. Rate of Infantile Mortality, including the Lark of Fitness in Young People for Parenthtod. Dr. Helen Mayo (S.A.) read the following paper :— In speaking on such a subject as infantile mortality one must feel that there is little to be said which has not been said before. In spite of this, if its immense importance be sidered, one must feel that it is impossible to discuss too n the causes of this waste of infant life winch occurs year by year in our very midst. Such reiteration of the causes a1 mid lead to their gradual elimination. It will help our own failures and successes with those of others, to learn a - underlying these. We shall thus i" i tabled to go forward better equipped to fare what- ■ problems lie be! Tl . General's tables show that the infantile mor- y for South Australia bas fallen, though not quite i larly. for the last 20 L907 i»» Ing the lowest rate so far corded. As the sties for 1'.h»t were the most re< I could obtain I have taken them as a basis for y re- marks, showing as they do, in spite of the comparatively low Bgui ■-. _'. percei tag prei citable deaths. 1 2 The infantile mortality rates per thousand for tho last 10 years are 1897 Kt'.U LS98 L39.9 1899 111.6 L900 99.6 1901 100J L902 98.8 1908 96.8 1904 70 1905 72.fi 1906 75.8 107 65.6 in i!K)7 the deaths <>f Infants under 12 inouth.s of age num- bered <;o} as against •'•-<'» in 1906. Recent returns give the portions in the other Australian States and New Zea- land :— Western Australia i.907 97.7 New Zealand 1907 88.9 New South Wales 1907 88.6 Queensland 1 : m »t 77. 2 Tasmania 1907 Victoria 1907 These figures show that in South Australia the rate for V.miT is lower than that in any of the other States, as well as being the lowest record for South Australia for more than 20 years. Moreover the Slates and New Zealand stand wall < n the whole in comparison with other countries. The rate in England has never been known to be lowt-r than 328 per 1,000, and has been over 150 in several years, or even higher, while l'e sia, Hungary, and Saxony all show- a still higher pro- portion during the first year of childhood. The influence of _e is \i>vy marked at the beginning of life. A largi propor- tion of infants die in their first month. In 1007 il of 2t:> '.14.". males and 99 females) died at this early period. In the two mouths following the deaths were only 10::, while in remaining periods of three and six months the figures stand aT 105 and 154 respectively. The deaths occurring in the first month are due to deve- lental disease, debility caused by various pi ; condl- -. actual disease inherited, or premature birth, with also ■lis from violence and from enteritis, but On the whole the influence of the p. s marked. the infant -rows the influence of its surroundings is more and more noticeable. The parental inheritance still sht ws itself, i in the environment produced by those in charge 13 of the infant is more potent, and may either modify or intensify the physical condition already present. Hence in the later months we find digestive diseases, notably enteritis, causing a high percentage of the death returns, as well as such respiratory diseases as pneumonia, broncho-pneumonia, and bronchitis. In these later months we also rind infectious diseases playing a part in the production of infantile morta- lity. In 1907 51 deaths were attributable to this cause. Of these the number due to whooping cough was no h-ss than 4J. Infectious disease is, however, a very variable factor, the death, rate from this cause in some years falling very low. The causes of infantile mortality have been arranged in two chief groups : — (lass 1 comprises — Alcoholism of parents. Dise • >f parents (venereal dise - tubercular disease, accidental diseasi . Industrial employment of Women, and in this Class may be included frailty obstetric practice. Class 2 comprises the environment, the causes operating in which will be afterwards examined. — Alcoholism. — This habit in the mother profoundly influences the unborn child. In the report for 1905-6 of the Registrar-General for England, statistics show that the married women admitted to Reformatories under the Inebriate Act show an undesirable fertility, the average number of children to each married woman being 5.3, whereas the average of the general popula- tion was 222 per 1,000 married women. other statistics taken in gaol confirm these figures, the average number of children born to married inebriates being over one more to each than those bora to sober members of the same family. The child mortality, age not given, among these children, was 15.4 per cent. This compared with the infantile rate for England during the same period, namely 13 per rent, is very high. It will be understood that this high rate oi mortality Lependent on two factorSi physical deterioration before birth as well as subsequent faulty environment. The preva- lence of alcoholism in women is not. as far as i am aware, \ei\ marked in South Australia, though a certain proportiou of women habitually drink more alcohol than is good. Linong men tno iii sueli parts a • uderable proportioi a dtual drunkards, but I believe thai ou the whole this lias uol 14 attained the proportions that it reaches Id more densely popu- lated cities where the ooadltitons of life are harder. Venereal disease In tiie parents is one which profoundly influences the child. One effeel of this may be to cause com- plex sterility in the parents. Short of this repented at- tempts .-it reproduction may fall to bring the child to matu- rity. The action, however, which concern's us for the pre- senl is that on the child who Is born alive. As in tin- cas< <>t' alcoholic parents, a high proportion of the children (lie after a longer or shorter period. Many die in the lirst few months, others live for some years, dying from subsequent develop- ment of disease, while others still outgrow the manifestation, and under persistent treatment become comparatively healthy men and women. The high death-rate found among illegitimate children is largely due to this disease, though there are some contribu- tory factors which render it peculiarly potent In an investigation anion- prostitutes undertaken in New York, by Dr. Sanger. 947 prostitutes out of 2,000 bad 1,017 children. The mortality amongst these children was more than OX) per cent, which was greatly in excess of the general rate in New York for children under 5 years, which was 17.~> per cent, for the same period, and (if the two sets of figures may he compared) in excess also of the high, death rate among the children of alcoholics, namely 4r>.4 per cent. It has been found thai in country districts where illegiti- macy may he dissociated from prostitution, the infantile mor- tality rate is low. Hence we are forced to the conclusion that one of the causes of the high mortality among little chil- dren is venereal disease, and that this disease also affects, though to a less extent, the legitimate mortality rate. It is easily understood that this high rate of mortality among the children of parents affected hy such disease or habit is not altogether an evil, tending as it does to the elimi- nation of the unfit. Any measure to prevent this mortality that did not also attempt to modify the underlying evil, would inevitably tend towards racial degeneracy. This is no) the only disease in parents which affects their offspring. Any wasting disease or severe illness affecting the mother may cause a lack of vitality in the infant, and in either case premature birth may occur, which ohviously dis- counts whatever Chance of life the unfortunate infant may have possessed. of the 242 babies who died under the age of one month in 1907 no les s than KM deaths were given in i returns as due to premature birth. 15 Pulmonary Phthisis, acute febrile disease such as pi monia and typhoid, and many others, may cause the prema- ture birth of a devitalized infant if they supervene in the later mouths of pregnancy. It is possible also that prema- ture birth may be caused by undue exertion undertaken by a ,ian who is nor tit for ir. owing; to illness or debility from insanitary surroundings, or insufficient food. Premature labour is sometimes induced by the mother- illegitimate infants and others. Ir is possible that the nu i- sures takeu to procure it have, even when unsuccessful, 3 deleterious effect on the infant, tending to reduce its vitality. It is probable that regular work even involving considerable muscular exertion, is net harmful to the unborn child, but in association witli such factors as illhealth. or in the condi- tions of extreme poverty, found in districts where large num- bers of married women are employed in factories, it may be the cause of premature birth, and hence of a rise in infantile tality. The industrial employment of women, however, comes into action more perhaps after birth in causing an environment by do means favourable to an infant who may be already delicate. In Adelaide thu industrial employment of married women is confined chiefly to housecleaning and laundry work, and hence has not assumed serious proportions. In some parts of England, however, it is .1 question affecting large numbers of the population and causing an appreciable increase in the number of Infant deaths. This has been so marked as to call for investigation with a view to legislation on this im- portant question. The concensus of opinion is. however. that the prevention by law of such employment of married oen withon; adequate compensation, would bring greater evils in its train, involving concealment of pregnancy and in- duced abortion, and the poverty of the homes would be increased to such an extenl as to render the mortality rate . e high as ever. Every year a certain number of babies die in the act of birth. This is not always preventable, but there is no doubt that if skilled assistance were always available, or perhaps I should Bay made use at the time, the proportion would he lower. This lack of skilled assistance may have efll directly on the child, or indirectly through the mother. It easily be understood that if the latter becomes very ill or di«-s. the chances Of life for the infant . inished. - The fad that many infants begin !)!'• isly handi- 1G capped physically, lias been shown, and l now turn to the •utl division of ni.v subject, which has reference to their environment The causes of infantile mortality already mentioned are only too often Intensified by the conditions of life Into which the infant Is bom. l. Ignorance of Parent 3. There Is In our educational system, as Herbert Spencer points out. no provision for teaching the duties of parent hood. Children growing up to become parents learn a. school a good deal of necessary knowledge, ami some thai is educative in t use of laying a broad foundation for the future, biii the duties of parenthood and the teaching of the simple principles of hygiene, are entirely omitted. Presum ably the assumption is made thai mothers will teach their own children. So far as mj experience uoes this is excep tional. One reason is that the parents having been simi- larly brought up have no systematic knowledge themselves, and consequently they can only give erroneous teaching, or none at all. if parents realized the importance of giving the baby •natural food only for the firs! si\ or nine months of life, if moreover, they realized that regularity in feeding, abun- dance of clean fresh air. and such factors as cleanliness warmth are the first essentials to an infant's well-being, surely - lould find a greater number of them acting ou their knowledge, and hence a lower rate of infantile mortality. In Paris, Professor Budin has conclusively shown thai extraordinary amount of illness and death is caused by the • of the simple rules governing a baby's lit'-. A sulfations in connection with a large maternity hospital, the babies were brought up regularly once a week, undressi 1 ig ted, th.- weight being recorded on a chart. By means of tins. Professor Budin judged the condition of the child, both over-feeding and under-feeding being detected and rectified. The result of his work was such that, though infantile mortality in Paris among artificially fed infants rose during the summer months, as he himself expressed it. "like Ltable Tour d'Eiffel," and even among breast I infants there was a considerable proportion of deaths, th > tality of infants attending the consultations remained Not a single infant died, ami tins was \ ■ nta'ole > - ^ince - incept. 1 ig nil. 17 Again, at the time of the Siege of Faris. and also during the Lancashire Cotton Famine, when the genera] mortality rose enormously, the babies had the single advantage of their mothers" milk, and the infant death rate actually diminished. This illustrates even better the extraordinary importance of this one factor. But the ignorance of the mothers or nurses comes into action more especially when the infant cannot have its mother's milk. There are real difficulties to contend with, and even when willing to do all they can. they do not know what is best. One of the first essentials is to obtain a milk as free as possible from bacteria and from the effects of l»a« - terial action. This is not always easy. In the cold weather if reasonable precautions are taken the milk will probably conform to the required standard. In summer, however, more care is necessary as the growth of bacteria is then far more rapid, and the milk, it ool guarded from contamination and kept cool, may quickly become unfit for consumption. Even more important than the rare of milk in the dairy, is the protection of milk in the home. For the summer diar- rhoea which carri. s so many babies, is due to the specific infection of milk. This infection is much more likely to occur in the home than in a dairy, aud the fact that this disease spreads with alarming rapidity, not among those sup- plied from any one dairy, but from oue child to another in a house, and from house to house, in a thickly populated neigh- bourhood, points to tile agency of flies, the incomplete dist- inction of infected discharges, and the Inadequate protection of the milk supply. These three factors acting together, pro- ■ the most alarming death rate among infants (13] deaths in 1907), and this alone does not indicate all tin- damage, as the children who manage to survive often do so with seriously enfeebled constitutions. This is one of the reasons why patent foods are in such demand. The lack of can- is not so potent when on. dealing with a sterile dry powder, and the ease of preparation appeals to mothers whose work is often already far more than they can manage. Son f these foods are of great value in tr. . >abies with delicate digestions. Ian most el' them are injurious before the age of six months, and unnei sary a ft. awards. in their train fellow scurvy, rickets, and other troubles, while at any rate, the absence of fresh teed tends to depress the viiality of the infant even when actual illness does nol supervene. Promiscuous feeding of infants is only too common, cab- bread, apples, bacon, and otto r indigestibles IS are all given tbem by their loving parents, one of die habits that leads to this is thf presence of the infants :>t the parents' meals. They give it anything they are eating, and rejoice in see 1h>\\ ii takes It, never realizing the mischief they arc doing. The surprising thing Is ool thai so many should die, but thai any of these infants should survive. in y< i another way the parents unknowingly cause the death of their offspring. The u I for abundant fresh air is often ignored and houses which may be already difficull to ventilate are kepi closed, and the rooms rendered intolerably stuffy. in the homes of the poor this evil is enhanced by that of ivercrowding, the minimum air spare required for two people often being shared bj five or more, and the possi- bility of changing the air being prevented by every means at command, the air is breathed over and over again until it becomes absolutely poisonous. I have mentioned overcrowd- ing as one of the causes of infantile mortality because though not very serious in Adelaide, it is still present to some extent, and is one of the evils against which we have to guard in future. it is t.. this lack of fresh air, combined with exposure t" draughts, that much respiratory disease is due. We find on examining tin- death returns from this cause that bronchitis, pneumonia, and broncho-pneumonia are the forms in which it occurs. All of the-, are far more prevalent in the winter than i;i the summer, and their inci- dence raises the infantile mortality considerably in the coldest months. The conditions under which these infants live pre- dispose them to disease, and the change from such an atmosphere as has been described to keen cold air and vice versa is responsible for many attacks of respiratory troubles. A certain number of infants die from actual neglect. Tins more usually obtains in the case of illegitimate children, when the motive to care for the child may be entirely absent. It may happen, however, in other cases from ignorance or stupidity, or from a lack of the sense of responsibility. It is this latter factor which often leads to the birth of illegiti- mate children : many young people do not realize in the least tin ii responsibilities to themselves or to each other, and when children are born to them they are only too apt to let tin- satin- habit of mind which led h> their birth prevail, and the children ate utterly neglected. Actual vice in almost every instance takes its rise in some such irresponsibility or lack of moral standard. Bach l number of deaths due to violence is recorded. This is frequently due to overlay 1 _ I is [H>ssjble only 19 when the infant is put to sleep in its parents' bed. The fact that it lias been repeatedly found to occur on Saturday nights throws considerable light on the causes at work. These are the usual causes of infantile mortality. I will now give some slight account of some of the ways in which attempts have been made to remedy the conditions under con- sideration. All the world over the first essential is allowed to be edu tion of the parents in school, before marriage, during parent- hood. Education in the high nature of their calling, in the duties which they owe to themselves, to each other, and to their children, enforcing in every possible way the best me- thods of performing these duties. Huddersticld. iu particular, has adopted a scheme which has led to a remarkable diminution of infantile mortality. The central idea of the system [3 "Help the mother to nurse her infant in her own home." 1. Notifications of birth reach the .Medical Officer within -P-* hours. 2. Two lady assistant Medical officers of Health visit the homes, enquire, advise, and help. :;. The notifications are s"nt every Monday to voluntary workers, ladies who supervise", visit at intervals, and help in the hoi; - 4. If the baby does not thrive, and is not under medical care, the case is referred r >> the Medical Officer of Health and appropriate action is take Notification within 48 hours has been secured by law since 1906. Ninety-four per cent, births are notified within the time limit. Stamped postcards are supplied for the purpose on requ< - Th. Assistant Medical officer of Health at once visits and leaves cards of advice. The visit is not enfoi in any way. I'.i> _ is urged. If necessary the visit is repeated, otherwise it is handed over t> the voluntary visitor. The Borough is divided into districts each in charge of a lady superintendent, under whom are lady helpers varying in number according to 'he proportion of babies likely to bo- born. The maximum number of babies apportioned to any one lady helper Is 15 to 20. Each week the list of babies tie Lady Superintendent and is divided up among h.-r help ho visil and advise, and if the child's progress I ..1 report to the Public Health Department, gifl - r it v in anj - permitted, it ' ;i . ■ - required Infoi Lble 0i - ion already - 20 \ isms of lad) helpers are also entirely optional on the part of the parents, if a doctor La required and Is not in atten- dance the lady assistant Medical Officer of Health attends. The result o\' the year's work in 1907 was that 2,189 births occurred, and in - J infants died, giving an Infantile mortality figure of !»t per thousand births. The records of this Depart- ment extend back tor 33 years, and how very successful the work has boon will be understood on comparison with the figures of former years. Huddersfield. Infantile Mortality per thousand births: 1896-1904 (ten years preceding special measures) 142 1905-6-7 (three years during which special work has been In progress) 117 1897-1906 135 1!H»7 07 it is of interest to compare these figures with those for the Oity of Adelaide during the last i:; years. The figures given show the infantile mortality tor the five years immediately preceding the passing of the Health Act, the five years imme- diately succeeding this, and the last three years. Adelaide : - 1894-5 to 1898-9 (five years antecedent to Health Act) 160 1899-1900 to 1903-4 (5 years subsequent to Health Act) 138 1904-5 to 1!Mh;-7 (three years since) 123 1907-8 1M Before these figures can he compared with Huddersfield it is nect ssary to correct them, as they include deaths imported from elsewhere which took place in Public Intitntions. The corrected rate for 1907-8 is 103. Hence 1 wo see that here as w. 11 as in Huddersfield most excellent work is being done. A number of factors have contributed to this desirable re- sult, chief amongst which are Boards of Health and State Children's Department constituted by Act of Parliament, in ad- dition to charitable agencies. The work of the state Chil- dren's Department is of immense value, particularly witii respect to illegitimate or neglected children, which form i large proportion of thos< in its charge. These children are for the most part hoarded ,,iit. and their welfare watched over by Visiting officials paid and voluntary. Medical attention is also provided when necessary. littles for feeding are strictly enforced and the result is excellent. Other children are boarded out by their mothers, and the State Children's Department undertakes t<> watch over them for the first two years of life. This it accomplishes by licensing foster 21 mothers and by providing vigilant inspection and medical attendance. Yet another way in which infant mortality is diminished is by licensing Lying-in Homes, subject also to inspection. By these two latter provisions baby farming has been practically stamped out in Adelaide. A considerable reduction in the waste of infant life is thus effected. These measures affect chiefly the illegitimate death rate. But diligeut supervision, advice, and the rules given to the foster mothers, must ultimately lead to the diffusion of know- ledge of the laws governing an infant'.- well-being. This may, and indeed must, in the long run, materially diminish the rate of infantile mortality. The Local Board of Health of Adelaide sends every mother situated within its jurisdiction a small book on the care and nourishment of the baby and mother as soou as possible after the birth of the child. In South Australia the Act provides that the birth of an infant shall be registered withiu 42 days. This allows time to elapse in which much may happen to the infant. As far as possible this has been remedied by the 11. -a lth Officer, who has the books sent to all mothers on 3 ing notice of birth in the newspapers. To those who have not so received a copy it is sent on registration. The pamphlet has been carefully selected, and the Local Board of Health has kindly placed a few copies at the disposal of this Con- gress. The work of the charitable institutions is of several kinds work among the mothers of illegitimate infants before and nft.-r birth. In this field there are many agencies at work. At several institutions which receive the mothers, including the Destitute Asylum, the mother and infant are retained for six or twelve months. The child is thus given the advantage of its natural food during this susceptible period of its life. These institutions the massing together of - mothers in any institution. In so many cases it 'is only direct personal Influence and individual attention of th< In charge that can effecl the moral teaching so necessary to se mothers. When the numbers are too great this \ able Influence is d ■ - agly available. Incidentally 1 think the Ideal treatment for these mothers and babies would to have possibly a central institution for the management of confinements. Subsequently they could be sent to col hones in the country, presided over by women whose duty would be i i teach them all they should know about them selves and the care of babies On this much nmr uld be •' Bald, but it would be hardly pertinent to the subject of this paper. This work among mothers of Illegitimate infants should have also its complement in work among tin- fathers. it is useless t<> expecl much real advance in its prevention until both sides of tin evil are attacked. Work is being done, but I wished, in discussing tin maternal side of the question, not to love sight of the Importance also of the other aspect of the problem. Another important Institution that renders valuable aid Id the care Of infants is the Children's Hospital. Here many are brought to receive advice and medicine ; there is no doubt that the work done is of Incalculable benefit The rules of the In-patient Department however do not admit infants under two years of age to beds in the ward, in reality the authorities fre- quently do SO admit them and save many lives by SO doing. lint it would he an advantage from the point of view of this paper were the rules altered so as to allow the right of ad- mission of a certain number of infants to the benefits of this excellent institution. Tin Hospital Almoners' Association which is doing such good work iii England in the education of the people and the prevention of hospital abuse, is an agency which might well be a help to the working of the out-patient departments here. This Association consists of a number of trained Workers attached to a hospital who visit out-patients to see that advice given is followed, and to aid them in carrying out their instructions. Reverting finally to the general problem this paper has so briefly investigated, one cannot fail to be struck by the enor- mous number of infant deaths that are. or should be. preven- table, in spite of the excellent service rendered by state and chariable institutions, im infant death rate throughout the civilized world is admittedly still far too high. A propor- tional reduction has undoubtedly been effected, a further re- duction is our continual aim. What means may best serve this end must be considered. [ .v it has been shown that a child may suffer from two ies of ills those due to faulty inheritance and those due of defective care after birth. And in answering the question a- to remedies for these, our investigations prove them to be capable of solution not singly, but together. For both evils arise from a detect in the personality of the parents— that is a moral fault. External circumstance may indeed at times ■ «\ much for the hist, and the mosl learned of us. But .n spite of this the problem is obviously almost entirely to be 23 solved by an improvement in the individual attitude of par- ents towards their responsibilities, and a co-ordinate improve- ment in the national attitude towards the duties involved in parenthood. The practical means then that may be sugges- ted to help forward our progress in this direction may be classified in brief as follows :— 1. Education of the Parent. 2. Constraint. If constraint be considered tirst, as more germane to the discussion of a present evil, we are able to indicate imme- diately certain directions in which legislation would be of un- undoubted service. — First, as to the Notification of Births. — In South Australia births need only he registered within 42 days, and in 1907 (our best yean 242 deaths occurred in the first month of lite. When one ((insiders this it is seen that here is a factor which militates against the possibility of affording instruction to the mother when in a number of in- stances it would undoubtedly prove efficacious. But what is more important still, is that the opportunity of instructing the mother at a time when she is most open to instruction on the care of her baby is lost. For in may cases the baby itself is unlikely, from the first, to survive. In Huddersfield the compulsory registration of births within 48 hours has been in operation since 1906, and has been found most satisfactory. Another case in which legislation might prove beneficial is concerned with summer diarrhoea of infants. This is, as we have seen, of an epidemic character, and the cause of a vast amount of illness and deatb among those under two years of age. If it were added to the list of diseases reportable under the Health Act, the visits of the Sanitary Inspector to enforce necessary precautions would lie a valuable educative factor ae yell as an actual preventive of the spread of the disc: And lastly, with regard to developmental and inherited disease, one feels that there should lie some check on Hie marriage of unsuitable people. The difficulty here is that the natural operation of any opposition to marriage is apt to cause an increase in the Illegitimate birth rate, it is. how- ever, a matter i< r concern that there should be no possibi- lity of preventing the propagation of those manifestly dis- eased or imbecile. This perhaps hardly comes within the Scope of this discussion, but is yet so cognate with the (pi 'S- tion of infantile mortality thi 'i'h paper would be com- plete were it omitted. The other means of Improving the personal factor In the problem was stated broadly ms education of the parents. The polnl here is thai they should learn themselves Intelligently to direct their actions. The following lines of development, though to some degree In practice, it is well at all times to emphasise, 1. Teach those who are going to be parents the duty thej owe to themselves, some of the simple rules of health, and above all, the duties of self respect and self control. 2. instinct parents how best to care for themselves so that their children maj be born healthy, and being properlj looked alter may continue physically tit. :;. General instruction in the laws ih it govern hygiene. How Iii'n! to put this into practice i> not easy to decide. In lludderstield it is Suggested that girls should receive such instruction in the schools. In this way the authorities design to reach the prOSpeCtve mothers of the Xation. 4. The careful distribution of literature on the subject of the mother and the child. This as at present undertaken by the State Children's Department and the Local Board of Health has proved of undoubted benefit. Finally, it must be remembered that no wholesale method of reform is ever of avail. Minute investigation and careful study are necessarily involved. The education of public opinion and an increase in the number of expert workers are both factors that ultimately count for much in national pro- gress. But those members of the community that do not or will not take their proper place in the general scheme miisi be controlled. The unlit, and by this civilization means al- ways those morally unfit, must be eliminated. This is accom- plished sooner or later by natural or rational means : educa- tion for those still young enough to learn, death to remove thus- for whom that time is past. But those who have no desire to live decently must be constrained ; the others in whom the elements of this goodwill appear must be helped to gain the knowledge that is still required before they can be- come good citizens. Mr. <;. A. Ferguson (Queensland) read the following paper: In my opinion the treatment of such a subject is far better in the hands of a medical man than that of a layman. Seeing my position on the Agenda and the qualifications of the spea- kers on the same subject, I have not attempted to say anything in connection with the "diseases" that are respon- sible for the high rat- of itd'aut mortality. My own personal 25 experience with "Dependent Children'' has only been of a few months' duration. The statements made referring to hap- penings in the State of Queensland in the Sub-Department of which I have the honour to be the head, have been taken from the experiences gained in the working of the Depart inent. It might be of interest to some to know that, in Queensland, the true infant mortality — that is. the ratios of deaths of children in their first year to the births— for 1907 was 7.72. and the mean for the ten years, 1S98 to 1907 was 9.41. A gradual decline during the last 20 to 25 years is apparent. During 1907 the infant mortality of Queensland was greater than that for either South Australia or Victoria, and less than that for any other State of the Commonwealth, and also less than that for New Zealand. The Queensland Government Statistiean, in dealing with the subject for 1907, Bhows that the greatest average infant mortality was that for Western Australia (9.77k and the least, that for South Aus- tralia (6.59). All the Australian States show most favourably when compared with European countries, some of the latter from the most recent records procurable showing, as com- pared with Queensland's 1907 return, from 3 to 5 per cent. higher for the divisions of the United Kingdom up to double and treble the Queensland rate in several other European countries. To prevent the waste of life in its early stages is naturally a problem of deep interest. One most important cause of the high rate of infant mor- tality fs the improper feeding. in sheer ignorance, mothers have in some instances killed their little ones. I think it is an accepted fact that the best nourishment for the child is the natural food of the mother. In some cases the mother cannot supply what is needed, and it lias been compulsory to fall back on artificial foods. A danger to the child life omes j ;i selection, or rather, by experience finding out what food is suitable for the child. Want of means in poorer classes prevents the purchase of the best, at times, and a consequence is the illness of n e offspring. Preparation the food is an important factor. That should be very fully done. And in the preparation, the cleanliness of tlie utensils, the purity of the food Stuffs, and the milk use>vi\< of England and Wales for 1906 show that in- fantile mortality from all causes amounted to 261.35 pei 1,000 among illegitimate children, as compared with 129.13 •among legitimate children. It appears further that 29 of the excess of deaths iu illegitimate children, a larger pro- portion is due to prematurity and immaturity than to diar- rhoea, and that a greater proportion is due to immaturity than to prematurity. Among legitimate children, on the other- hand, more deaths are reported due to prematurity than to immaturity. These figures indicate that the high mortality among illegitimate children is due to parental causes rather than to environment. The experience in Queensland has been that the rate of mortality is very high when infants are con- gregated in a home. That applies whether they are attended by their mothers or not. In the State Infants' Home during 1907, when OS children were dealt with, there were 25 deaths all of infants under two years of age (being 36.7 per cent.) Since the abolition of the Infants' Home as a permanent resi- dence for the children, and the conversion of the Institution into a Receiving Depot, from which the children are boarded out with foster mothers, tinder the Orphanages regulations, there has only been one death in the last 12 months out of L'4 children passing through the Institution, being only 4. If. per cent. At the State Infants' Home mothers are not ad- mitted. The only other Institution dealing with infants under two years of age that comes under the control of the Department is one in which children are admitted only when accompanied by their mothers. The death-rate there for 1908 was 10.63 per cent, the previous year being 17.64 per cent. This high death-rate in homes docs not apply to Queensland' alone. The mortality of children appears lowest when the mothers are between 30 and 35 years of age. greatest when they are under 20, and gradually increasing when they arc over 35, though even then lower than when between 20 and 30 years of age. The influence of age of the father appears to act in the same direction. Inasmuch, however, as the higher age incidence of marriage is usually found among those having greater sense of responsibility, it is possible that this factor may have greater influence than that of age. One writer has said, as we have found that deaths from naturity predominate, particularly among illegitimate chil- dren and children of inebriates, ii appears that if a satisfac- tory reduction is to be made on the rate of infantile mortality, the advisability of allowing fr lore to the criminal and Ineb- riates, and the feeble-minded continue to propogate, successful efforts in lowering the death-rate among children of such ents musl lead to racial degeneracy. Mrs, Edwards (Tasmania) desired to refer to the question ol Infantile mortality, as Tasmania had the highesl d< itb rate of 30 Infants of anj of 1 1 1 « - States in the Commonwealth, and also held the pride of place in having the highest birth-rate. Thai was a Btate of affairs that should not exist. She had a copy of a lecture given by Dr. Klklngton upon die question at the Instance of the Australian Natives' Association. The means which the Doctor emphasised should be taken firsl of all. t,> remedy this, was early notification of birth. They would agree that the period ot six weeks allowed in all the States was ten long, because a -ie.it deal happened to in [nfanl that might reasonably be pie vented bj instruction of the mothers in their homes. The Dr. advocated thai an Act should be passed to provide thai in districts where statistics showed thai the death-rate was unduly high, early notification should be declared to be compulsory. The next thing ill ii the Doctor advocated was the employment in Hobarl ot" one whole time trained visitor. She would deal with cases ol life and death and health in circumstances requiring very special technical knowledge and personal qualifications, tactfulness, and knowledge of people. She must be really and truly a lady visitor in the besl sense found very often young mothers, in good positions perhaps, who were away from their own mothers, ami had not many friends who would have | n -lad to have notified these nurses ami ob- tained their advice. Several young married women had told her how glad they were of the nurse-;- advice when rearing their chil- dren. The nurs.-s should be available for anybody, high or low. who asked for their services. At the same time she would have P. have tact in wiun. _ y into homes. They knew what I they hoped that the trained 31 nurse, when they obtained her services, would do the same. The training of the mothers was an important factor in the saving of infant life. What they wanted was properly skilled nurses to give proper skilled instruction, early notification of births, and a strict enforcement of the law. She would like to see some law I ssed in every State to regulate or prevent, so far as possible, the importation and sale of certain drugs. She agreed with Dr. Mayo, that infantile diarrhoea should be a notifiable disease. They had a system in Hobart of dealing with illegitimate children. They were all boarded out with foster mothers. They had a certificated nurse who inspected the hemes, and whereas not quite twelve months ago they had four or live homes registered in Hoi .art. and ii the subject from South Australia. Recently ;i visit was paid to dairies within a certain radius <>t" Melbourne, and there was not one that could bo recommended from where milk could be obtained to supply the poor children. That was due to the cleanliness of the people punning the dairies, because some of them had most elementary ideas in regard to cleanliness. si.e was Interested In a report of the New /calami Society for the V Otection of Women and Children, and what it had done to get rid of this problem. n undertook to supply regular milk to mothers who could not feed their own children, but it made it a special part of Its work, the encouragement of mothers t<» feed their children. So many women shirked that, responsibility and thought ii was all very well t<> have ordinary milk. The Society made it its firm aim to impress upon the mothers the advisable- ?S , t feeding their own children, and when that was net pos- sible, the Society undertook to supply them with properly prepared milk. The officers believed that, oows milk was not suitable for the digestive apparatus of the infant, bur it was treated with sugar and made t () resemble mothers' milk as much as possible, and it seemed to have had very good results. The Society was really started by Lady ITunkett. Then nurses went to the homes of the mothers. There was no idea of charity about the Association, and women in good positions felt quite reads to ask for the nurses, ami for the advice of the nurses. Dr. .Mayo had referred to the industrial eiiiployement. of women as affecting infantile mortality. It was a great difficulty in the thickly populated eastern States. It was surrounded by a great economic question, and the moment they heard suggestions made for increasing the pay given to men there were shrieks from ah round the country. There was necessity that the men should be better paid, because the women did not want to go out and work, but they were forced by the stress of modern life to go to work, but if the men had better pay the women would not need go out to earn their living. Dr. Mayo referred to habitual vio- lence. Judge Lindsay, of Delivers, had solved the problem of the i win. were habitualy week end drunkards. Tie locked them up from Saturday till Monday, and the wives got the pay. When a man came before the Court and was sentenced to a month's imprisonment he did not serve it right off. but was imprisoned from Saturday until Mondays till he worked it out. That was an ingenious way of solving the difficulty. Dr Mayo said that so far as she knew the supply of milk in Adelaide was not on a satisfactory basis. They had no certified e. The dairies were inspected, and she knew there were some where real precautions were taken, such as machine milking of cows, the sterilization of buckets, the rapid cooling of the milk. 33 and covered vessels to take the milk to the dairies, hut on the whole there were uo satisfactory provisions so far as minute pre- cautions were concerned. .Mrs. J. Williams (Queensland) said precautions were taken in Queensland in i> gard to the milk supplied to poor children. Quite recently Lady Chelmsford had started the movement for a pure milk supply. They had imported certain bottles from England, which were the same as those used at the Battersea institution. They had adopted the method of sterilization of the milk under medical supervision, hermetically sealing- it and distributing it. That was rather in advance of the Lady Talbot institution in Melbourne. Their infantile mortality was high in certain months owing to causes referred to by Dr. Mayo. She was much inte- • -led in the paper, touching as it did so many cases, and she was struck by the reference to alcoholism in the parents. Dr. Mayo said that the rate of mortality in children of alcoholic parents was 45.4 per cent., and the death-rate among others was 13 per cent. That was a question the Conference might well give attention to. Alcoholism was very rife right throughout the Com- monwealth, and it was affecting very deleteriously the infant life ii: other ways. They had seen by the paper how many children were boru to inebriate parents. an d how much the death rate was, and that was a question that was affecting the nation. All of them must be deeply interested in it. She would deal with the question of illegitimacy later on, but she hoped the Conference would deal with the qestion of inebriate parents. The length of time allowed for the notification of birth was important, and she moved "That in the opinion this Conference it is considered necessary that the lime for notification of births should not ex- ceed seven days." She would like to have it 48 hours, but there was such a big difference between thai and the period now in operation that it would he wiser not to ask too much, in Queens- land it was 'ill day-, and it was open to much abuse. Miss Spence (S.A.) seconded the motion. She preferred 48 I, (iirs if it w«re possible to secure it. Notification was given to the South Australian Department if any of their children were concerned. She desired to refer to what had been said about the great rate of mortality among children of inebriate parents. In rndlng the admirable minority report of the Foor Law Commie sion which sat for three years, what struck her was that con- sidering the high rate of mortality they should have regard also to tie- health and vitality of those who did not die. Where there was such a 1 1 i -_r 1 1 rate of mortality in an asylum, or in a crowded city, or In sium<. it Beemed that the causes which gave rifte to the large number of deaths must also operate in diminishing the vita- lity of those who survived, so that it was not only the deaths et 34 the children which were to be lamented, but also the vitality and lower powers for ail purposes of those who survived. Mrs Edwnrds moved as mi amendment "That this Confe- rence urge upon the Governments of the Commonwealth the necessity tor the Introduction <>f legislation compelling the notifi- cation of births within 36 hours. Mies Stirling (South Australia) seconded the amendment. Lady Way (South Australia) asked it' it were possible for the pttrents t" make the notification in such a short time. Dr. Mayo thoughl ii would be possible, in Eluddersfield spe- cial arrangements were made, ami the inldwives were supplied with postcards to send in to the depot when a child was horn. Those cards were given to anyone who asked tor them. Mr. Ferguson (Queensland) said it would lie impossible to gel registration in ::<; hours. The present Queensland law was 60 3, and it it woic not done in thai time the parents had to make a declaration and pay a tine. With 36 hours it would l»o impos- sible, because there were many places which were five days travel from the nearest registration place. The Sergts. of the Police were made registrars, and it might he possible to do with seven days in the back blocks, but it would be impossible to do it in 36 1 ours. Mrs. Edwards This is notification, not registration. Mr. MacMaster (Tasmania) said it would be impossible to _ ster in of, hours in the country. It would be possible j n the city, where it would be eminently desirable. Under the Tasma- nian Act for the Protection of Infants everybody who took an, illegitimate child had to be registered, and he had asked the Coni- 3ioner of Police how it had -worked, and In- was told that it working admirably on the whole. There was one weak point, and that was the six weeks during which registration i. ight take place. The parents then had the opportunity to evade il \ct. and there were a large number of homes through that \ :h which the police did not com" into contact- lie was so impressed with that that he had asked the Registrar of the State ii he could not give the police information when registration was Le t but the official said he could not do that, as it would be de- ering information, and would convert his office into a branch of the Police Department, and might raise a feeling against it. The failure was from the six weeks delay, in which parents made arrangements to evade the Act. and gel the child out of the way, bo that the police would not com" in. Therefore it would be able thai the resolution should be carried. The registration should be required thirty-six hours after birth in the city, and at the earli • te in the country. 35 Miss Goldstein (Victoria) said the notification should be 48 hours in the metropolitan areas. it was in those areas that they had to pay special attention to children, because they ran a greater risk there, but any legislation of that kind could not apply to the country districts. She moved a further amendement — That the time be 4S hours. Mrs. Edwards said early notification required special legis- lation. The notification for that purpose was quite distinct from the ordinary registration of birth, and hence the work of the registrars need not be increased. The notifications could be ar- ranged in such a way that the visitors would receive them with- out delay. A brief Act enabling early notification of births to be made compulsory in any area proclaimed for the purpose by the Governments would cover the whole ground. Each such ajea would, of course, be carefully designed, with a view to effective working. Mrs. Gover fW.A.) thought it would be a pin- to have tw<> laws. Last week she had a case. A child was born ;it the Asy- lum, and they could not get hold of the father for some time, as he was miles away. When they did get him she asked him if he had registered the infant, and he replied no. and when asked why he had not done SO, said ;>.■ i lie had not got a name for it. They had a children's Protection Act in Western Australia, and it was carried out pretty much as in South Australia, hut there would ne a difficulty in having registration in 36 hours, Fre- quently mothers came t" Perth from miles away to have their babies, and they could not register in 3G hours. She desired to tier the stated food for children was enforced in South Australia in all registered homes, or on State children only. Mr. J. I - ■ -'id it applied to children in tiie care of • •:■ mothers, wl • supplied with a copy of the list of the foods to be given. - >n who took a child under two year- of age had i the child that fowl. It had to be fol- lowed in every case unless a medical certificate were given that other food should -tituted. Mrs. Edwards said she would amend her amendment by mak- ing it 4> hours within proclaimed districts. Miss Goldstein withdrew ber amendment. Mr. J. Longmore (W.A.) said if they attempted to bring the down from 60 n : • they would have greal diffi- culty in getting Parliament t -to it. it would he wise to try and ool - i far, but t ss something Parliamenl would be likely I V said 1 ■' sd fo ours they might ... ei da - Parliamenl mlghl them 1 1 d 3G Mr. T. smith iV.i said in Victoria it was three consecutive days iii the case of Illegitimate children. Mis. Edwards understood thai the notification was Cor all children. The damage to the child's organs mostly occurred with- in a iVw days <>i' birth. Mr. Gray (S.A.) was clad to see the keen [nteresl In the ques- tion, it Congress Looked carefully at the resolution submitted by Mrs. Edwards, they would agree with it. Mrs. Edwards was leaving registration where it was, and trying to secure something entirely different. The plan thai was in Mrs. Edward's mind was thai the Governmenl should proclaim certain districts. In those districts there would be a properly '•(instituted authority to receive the notification, and thai notification would be really com- pleted by the posting of a notice, unless it was nearer lor the per- son giving the notice to go to the officer Instead of to the post office. Mrs. Edwards was asking for some properly constituted authority, say In Adelaide, the State Children's Department, and in the far distant places, the police, should be informed that a baby had been horn in a certain honse. There was no necessity to state the name or sex, or anything else, hnt it was a question Of having someone told that the baby had been born. There should not be any difficulty in getting the legislature to pass such a provision. It would be only one more section in one of die Acts they were going to ask for. Dr. Mayo thought Mi's. Edward's motion was in connection with the general scheme for inspection and care of the babies when born. The idea of sending the notification at such an early date was that if should be sent to someone in authority who would be trained to advise. It was not a simple notification to the police station, but to some authority in connection with the work of inspection and advice. Mrs. Edwards said that was so. but even where the work was not carried out the notification would be of considerable use, more especially in dealing with illegitimate children. Early noti- fication was absolutely necessary before any scheme lor inspec- tion could operate properly. Mr. Ferguson wished to point out something that had escaped his notice in relation to illegitimate children in Queensland. The Infant Life Protection Act of 1905 contained the following three sub-sections: — 17. (1) The occupier of every house or place in which an illegitimate infant is born shall, within three days after the birth of such child, give notice thereof in writing to the district registrar or an assistant district registrar of births and deaths for the district. (2) The occupier of every house or place in which an Illegitimate infant under the age of five years dies, 01' to which the body of an illegitimate infant who has died under 37 the age of five years is brought, .shall, within 24 hours after the death of such infant, or the reception of its body, give notice in writing of such death to the district registrar or an assistant dis- trict registrar of births and deaths for the district. (3l But if such house or place is not situated within any city or town then such notice may be given either to the district registrar or an assis- tant district registrar, or to the officer in charge of the nearest police station, and may be given at any time within one week after the birth or death of such infant, or the reception of its body, as the case may be. The Chairman was quite in sympathy with Mr. Lougmore that they should ask for something which the Legislature would be likely to grant them. The amendment was lost. Mrs. Williams said she would not object to the addition of the provision regarding proclaimed districts. This addition was made, and the motion, as amended, was stage the Congress adjourned for luncheon. Delinquent Children and their Imjyrovement tinder Supervision in the Homes of their Parents. Mr. A. E. Clarke. Chief Probation Officer. Victoria: I have ii<>t prepared a straighl out paper on the subject on which I have to address the Congress, but I am going to present certain facts to you which I think will meet v ith your approval The first thing necessary to state is thai the procedure is different In South Australia from what it is in Victoria, in the first place the child In South Australia i< made a ward of the state, and it is with the Secretary of the 38 state Children's Department, to Bay whether the child is to be released or not fn Victoria 11 is the Court which decides whether the child is to be released on probation or not In Victoria we have 238 Children's Courts, and it is necessary to assign probation officers to each of them, so you sec the is .i colossal one. Probation has come to stay. The Act reing Itself on those who are responsible for its adminis- • ation, whether they like it or not. The * - 1 1 i I < l released on probation In Victoria would have been allowed under the old method to leave the Court on promising either on hi* own be- half or through the parenl no1 to offend again. The Children's Courts Act lias come in for some criticism. Under the old methods the child which the Court aims at would have returned to the parent on what We term ;i sus- pended sentence, without supervision. Dnder the ftourts Act lie returns to the parent under supervision. Those children are not tit subjects tor institutional treatment. Unfortunately - ..niy after frequenl appearances when he has drifted from had to worse— that the child is committed to an insti- tuition. Frequently they are told to he good and sometimes they are bound over. The child who is admonished is one who may steal an apple or some other little thing, and the child bound over commits a more serious offence such as housebreaking or larceny. They recognise the offence more than they recognise the circumstances which surround tin 1 home life of the child in Victoria. In all cas,. s the conduct and method of living- are the same they are either good or bad. It is the home condition which is the crux of the trouble, and the thing which should guide the justice in decid- ing whether a child should be released or not. Recently a child of 11 years of age was charged with hav- ing damaged some property. The facts were that be was i a bird's nest, and in climbing be tore down some ivy which had been twining for some years about the property of an old gentleman. This so tickled the justices that they admonished the boy and let him go. Another case was that of a boy charged wit - nth a fixed line, which is an ace in Victoria. In these two instances the offences were . trifling nature, but in the Inst case the child was in a delinquency, and at the same time the parental control was so weak that the Court was called upon to strengthen it by means of a probation officer. The lad showed that the Child was a confirmed truant, that two summonses had been ed againsl the parents \'<y the Court. This is the report of the probation officer in regard to one of the girls, and it will apply to the four others : — " While under my supervision her conduct and behaviour were exceptional. She has atten- ded school regularly, and brought her home lesson book for me to see regularly once a week. She has also attended Sunday school, going some distance to it. I am sure the child has improved. 1 have visited the home regularly and have seen both father and mother, and have been able to help them also. .v friendship exists between us which will not asily be broken." In two cases the sisters had obtained it certificates through the coaching of the probation fficer. This is the case of a little boy I know. He was very troublesome, and the probation officer reports: — ""I lis conduct and behaviour have been very satisfactory. He lias reported himself regularly to me each week, and has attended both Stale and Sunday schools regularly. His exercise books are i lean and neatly done. The patents have aided me much. especially the mother." Then we have the case of a mother with one son. and you can just imagine how anxious She would be for his welfare. He got into trouble, and in a short report the probation officer states that the boy is getting to be a great help to her and i- a very good son. " Av the term of probation lias now ex- pired, 1 think that he is now an industrious, intelligent . lad, and there is every I ; j of his becoming a useful citizen.'' In the case of another boy. the report is: — "Very great improvement. The boy's time is now devoted to ins mother. and his home, and useful occupations." That was in Sep- tember last At the end of December last the report was : "Prom the start I took steps to free him from unsuitable chums. He has new boy friends, and remains in his home at - t. A few weeks ago I called to see him — a surprise visit and found him chopping wood for his mother and making himself useful at home." Here is the ease of a class of boy we find it difficult to handle the boy passing over the age id' control, which is '7 years lb finds the chat- t the street more exiciting a the lioin. circle, and in many cases it would !>■' a punish- ti cut on the child that he should not go oul after dark, be- - • there is no charm tor him at home. These particular ih others, held the streel againsl all ami sundry. The 42 officer who bad tii«' cases is actively engaged In business, inn finds time Cor this work, He says : "i feel certain they are on the up grade, so that they can improve themselves to qualify for better positions ,n life. I have furnished them wiiii exercises, composition books, pens, and pencils to assist them, and When I call I inspect their work and give them a fresh Bel for the next." In bis report three months after he states that he has visited each boy nine times in the quarter, and each child reports himself five times. He says concerning one: ••Conduct good; no cause Cor complaint, and from g( tic. ral appearances the restrictions placed upon him had had the desired effect. Be has now- allotted every week a set of borne lessons for evening. Home life respectable, but rough." Of tin' other he says: " General improvement. At first a little contrary, but now :■ _ bis duties and the' full striclioiis placed upon him. be is now desirous of Improving himself, and 1 am doing all 1 can to assist him. 1 have all hope of a thorough change in his character." A boy was charged with trespass and the officer reports that at first he was inclined to be troublesome, but that has now changed, and there is an improvement. Just to demonstrate how the probation officers follow up their work and the in- ~i they lake, here is a notice as to whether the child j< - rving the conditions. The answer is : — "Yes, except failure to report three time-. The first time Mas during New Year's holiday week; ihe second and third times during his first two or three weeks in a new situation. 1 think he may be excused, as his conduct is very pood." The supervi- sion is carried out without any complaint, and so far I have had no occasion to complain of the laxity of supervision by the probation officers. In the case of a boy 16 years and 10 months the probation officer visited him 10 times, and the child reported himself 12 times. He states : — "Good conduct and exemplary behaviour. Home nice and clean, mother tidy and industrious. She is a widow. Her son is now her main support, is a -ood boy. and helps her in every way he can. In my opinion he is diligent and industrious, and will be a worthy member of society." The last ■ -■ that of a boy who was charged with receiving stolen property. This was a serious offence, because it had been carried on for some time. Tlie justice himself wi - • probation officer, and this w is placed under his supervision. He wis surprise,] to find that tin- hoy brought his from night school to him, and for several months these two worked togeth< • ery week. The boy was slightly backward, and the justice, being an educated man. assisted him. in that cas< ' - 43 factory to see the boy as we see him now. He was success- fill in finding employment, and is still a great friend of the justice, and we have every reason to believe that his future career will be satisfactory in every way. One other little matter before 1 close. That is, we have, frequently, children not subjects for institutional treatment, and not subjects for probation. The Children's Courts are opening up a large question. In London and other places there are training ships, and after a child has served for some years he is drafted on ships for Australia, where they abscond. We had a case of a lad avIio had been on a ship for eight months, absconding with 35/. It was thought, after collect- ing evidence of the boy's previous character, that he was a subject to be deported. It is a serious offence when that decision is come to. There were many difficulties in the way, and the probation officer took an interest in the case, with result that he found before the lad was finally dealt with that he would make reparation if he could get employment. If the child recognises that he must do that then you have good work. In this case, after some time had elapsed the money was sent by the boy to the probation officer, and ii was forwarded to the sergeant of police, much to his mishment, with the receipt made out ready. There was — ity for that boy to wear a medal showing that he 1 got into trouble and had made restitution. In his future it will always occur to him that he got into trouble and made amends. It was pointed out to him that he took the money In m a little boy, and he would not have liked anyone to have it to him. When a good service was done to him he good service by making reparation. The Children's Courts Act is a colossal undertaking. "We staff '.l'li Court with the probationary officers of a certain temperament. It is not a position which should be taken for the mi re sake of getting the appointment, beci se work is arduous. Take South Melbourne, where there ►re than 50,000 inhabitants. wherever there - tii.n of population we get the trouble. We have in South Melbourne a Special Magistrate and an honorary worker of the justices . and though the Chief Probation Officer can do e than find suitable people, Ik- cannot lie credited with thing going wrong, in South Melbourne recently the lal Magistrate of the Children's Court met the chief Pro- ■ !, Officer and tb< local probation officers by invitation, to <]i adequately protect her home, or her special kingdom, woman needs to go outside; she needs to protect her home, and to secure its stability and sanctity by 45 protecting it from vice, gambling, and drink. She needs to protect her children against impure water and milk supplies, against bad sanitation, and against a bad education system. All these things she has to consider in protecting her home, and I use that illustration to show you that just as effective home agencies come through many channels, so effective supervision of children on probation comes through many channels. The most efficient officer in the world cannot ac- complish very much without the aid of the parent, nor is the aid of the parent enough. When a child has begun to go Avrong the loving patient care of every one who has to do with his education is required — education in the family, school, shop or factory — so that in dealing with a delinquent child we need the assistance of the parent, probation officer, school teacher, ami employer, clergyman and even of the magistrate, who tries him. all these means working together loyally tO' save the child. When the probation officer has ignorant. indifferent, or incompetent parents to deal with her path is a very thorny one. and here we strike a serious defeel in the educational system. I mean the lack of preparation or the old student for tin- most serious responsibility and duty of life, fatherhood and motherhood. l>oes it not strike you as strange that although marriage is the chief profession for women, it ; s the one tor which she gets no training. If she goes in for any other profession she has to undertake a long severe course of training, bul beyond a little sewing and less cooking she gets no training, and men gel absolutely none, for married life, so it is not surprising that we have so many wayward children. It is surprising we have not more — it says much for the inherent goodness in mankind. The wayward child finds itself in the court because of the temptations. It is not reasonable to suppose that the wayward children are con- fined to the poorer classes, but many are of the well-to-do class, but the children .if the well-to-do arc better protected from temptation, am] their waywardness finds openings in other and more subtle ways. !n nine cases out of ten in deal- ing with a delinquent child, to correct him we have to begin •orrecting the parent, and really no matter bow careless. incompetent, or indifferent the parenl may be. ii is surprising to find how quickly they respond to the friendly care of the probation officer. it is probably the first time they have had the right thing to do in any single thing pointed out to them, and when we see the readiness and quickness with which they perate it makes one's liearl ache that such g I material should be waste. |. If parents getting on in year-- can lie ied ie exercisp a certain amount of wisdom in dea 16 . children, and a greater degree of order in managing 1 1 1 1 » i r hemes, it onlj goes ii» show what amount of unhappiness and trouble might have beeu averted If the training had begun early, rather Hum late in life. Order Is i tirst law, bu1 In most of tiic homes from which delinquents come it Is an un- known law, and children w ho are uol trained to habits of order, punctuality, method, reaped for their elders, neatness, cleanliness in mind and body, f;ill rapid victims to the dis- order rampant outside their boines, So much Cor home In- fluence, No matter i<<>\\ successful the probation officer may be with tiic parent, she n\ ill be hampered unless she gets in ■ touch with the teacher who comes nexl to the parenl in making or marring the child, ami here we And a defect in our educational system that is the large Dumber of children in each class, ii i> absolutely impossible for a teacher to do justice to individual children when there are such large num- bers banded together. Each child is nice a delicate plant, ami needs most careful tending and nursi - Recently in New York this question was discussed, it was answered by rrespondence in the newspapers carried on by some per- - there, who urged that women were nntit to be teachers of boys. After thai a meeting of the .National Education As- sociation was held, and .Miss Julia Richmond, Superintendent - ime of the biggest schools in New York, dealt with the question at length, and gave illuminating instances of how difficult, wayward, children had been reclaimed by the ways i f teachers who always sought to show love in dealing even with the most hopeless cases. She quoted the story of a little Italian, who was the terror of his neighbourhood, had been dismissed from three schools, and was a lawless, defiant, lemeanent. One day she said to him. "I believe you are trying hard to !"■ -< '"1 dear."' From that time she noticed a ■ improvement. He worked well and steadily, and gradu- ally won his way to the top of the class, and later on he told the teacher that it was her calling him dear that made him try to please her. He had been so starved in affection that no one had ever called him dear before. Then there was a little Irish boy who was an exceedingly difficult child. He had been tried under several different teachers, but no one make tl impression until he came tinder a her who was very wise, and one day when the principle entered the ell and asked " How is Tom getting on ?" looked at the class standing up in lines and said. "Tom is _ 5 to be all right He is the best stander in the da ed, he stood straighter than ever. It best in anything, and he 47 worked hard to win commendation. There was another in- stance of a Russian who was sullen, and looked upon every- body as a natural enemy, and it was a wise teacher who gave him a warm bath, a clean suit of clothes, and a warm glass of milk. In conclusion. Miss Richmond said to her hearers. "go back to your schools and back up your ways of teaching finding out if heart-hunger, as well as stomach-hunger, is not the worst feature of the disease.'* There is not a tea- cher who would knowingly let a child starve to-day. but why should the heart and soul starve to-day because of the want of a little affection, sympathy, and understanding. So much for the school influence, but if the child is not at school then the probation officer must seek the help of the employer. It is »reat pity under modern industrial conditions the employer • 50 much out of touch with the employee— adult as well as juvenile— but in the case of children this wall must be broken down ami the employer must be made to understand that he sonal responsibility for tin* children in his em- ployment He should interest himself in the child, make -opportunities to talk to him. interest himself in his work, and even his play, ami let the child see that the employer is in- terested in him. So many children drift to the Children's Court simply because nobody lias taken interest in them, not even their parents. Then comes the clergyman who has spe- cial opportunities for helping the delinquent children, and with the probation officer, the school teacher, the employer, ami the magistrate, all trying to help him, it is surprising what good results are obtained. There is a large percenl _ indeed of successes. Patience, understanding, and love are wanted in dealing with delinquent children, and. ineded. with all children, but delinquents need an extra supply. There are iti.d qualities in dealing with these little mites. Judgu Lindsay, the guardian angel of the Children's Court in Ame rica, has spent over 20 hours in getting to know a child. only infinite patience and love can compel a \ rson to m a sacrifice like that, and he thinks that it does uot matter ill the ]e;,sf bit if "lie Spoilt the whole il;)y in getting the 111- teresl of a child, because by so doing you would probably learn .-it the outset whal are the serious defects that ueed to be met. and by learning thai you will in all prob the child from criminality, and give the SI and no one can render a better - I t that. I will § one Instance of bis dealing with children. One day he w - Judge in an Important law 3Uit, be< - also ] Ig the County Court, an I this was a law suit lnv< worth £200,000. I 48 Bel*s argumeul a little curly beaded Fellow popped his head in the door :i nc considered as a silly, misled, misunderstood child, who was to he led. helped, and edu- cated, ami above all. loved. They did not get that from (he legal ad. 'I hey were often twitted with having a lay mind, and not understanding the things thai a lawyer understood, bul ii was quite true that there was a legal mind that did not understand as a rule the lay element, and especially the element of love. Hence the idea that the child on probation should be a ward of some authority separate from the Court. There was another rea- That was that the Court as a rule had not time for that sort of thing. Judge Lindsey might make time, but there were aol many Lindseys. There were not many magistrates who, assuming that they were expressly appointed for the children, would give up their time to look after the 150 or 160 children hi the State. The two probation officers gave their time, and they brought their difficulties to him, and between the three of them they managed to make time to look after them. He doubted whether they would get one person to do all that work and have ihe Intimate knowledge of the child that was necessary. The mode of procedure was thai the child was charged as a criminal with a view to its being called a convicted child, or a neglect M child, or a destitute child. Either of those became a probation child. The convicted Child might be convicted of a crime, and in- stead of being sentenced to imprisonment, he was sentenced to the reformatory. That was what the Court had to do. That was where tin- lawyer's work came in. The Court might decide that the Child was i eglected, and must be sent to an industrial school, or some institution in the care of the Council. Then came the question of probation. The probation officer having 51 made enquiries and reported, they took into consideration whether the child might be placed out or not. Some most touching things occur in that room when the parents came in and found that in- stead of a mere judge they had met a friend who wanted to help them, and the boy or girl who came up. Many tears of joy or sorrow were shed there, and the children went away with the father or mother a great deal better if only for that interview. There was one case he felt moved to give them. A man and woman both given to drink and to objectionable habits in more ways than one, came to him after the trial of their child and asked that the child might go home. It did not seem well that the child should go home just then. They applied again s after. He pointed out the folly of the course they were pursuing, and advised them that instead of giving way to the craving for drink they should try every means for overcoming it. They said. '• If we do that may wo have our boy again'.'" -Yes. they might." They went away, and did overcome the drink habit, and he did not think they had heard a whisper about them since. The boy had gone back to them, and was doing well, and so were they. Tin re was another ease of a man and woman who were absoh degraded along the line everywhere. The woman promised that if she could have her two little children back she would do be Tlie man said the same. They gave up the drink and they gave up their evil living and got a house ,ve. Where that was done the childxet did well, ami where it was no! don- they did not do so well. Mis- Spence (S.A.) seconded both resolutions. Mr. .v. B. Clarke (V.) said unfortunately he had iii leave for Victoria on the morrow, and & old not pledge himself to take any pari in the resolutions. Several questions had been asked ntly wiiii regard to the exclusion of the Press from the Chil- dren's Courts. The section which provided Cor thai In their \, i onlj excluded the public, and In several Instances it had been rboughl thai thai Included the Press. \- to the misled child, ii\. > did noi run away with the Idea In Victoria thai the child ronld do no wrong, it was a question of tii<' method of dealing with ti hild. He had cases where the probation officers had stepped the mark with enthusiasm, and it was thai very en- thusiasm thai brought the child into trouble, and which bad led to Its removal from the home. Sometimes the boy was wide awake to the fad thai he could do wrong, and they had to be wide wake to thai fad also. As to America, they « 1 i * 1 things in a dif- ferent way from what they n probation. Then the section provided thai the pro- cedure at the enquiry should be guided by the real justice of the without regard to legal forms and solemnities. The boy was on the floor of the Courl with the Special Magistrate, and the public were excluded, which included the Press. The point was That the boy was by himself with the Magistrate, who could get to thai boy and have his whole attention. He was not anxious to bind himself to a resolution which might improve mat- ters and mighl not. They hail had a hard task in Victoria, and \ct was a forced measure because no member of Parliament claimed it as his child, but it w - .-d on tie Legislature by ■ Ion. They found that 4 answered the purpose for 53 which it was intended, and he would be very sorry to have the administration altered until they found out how the Act was pro- ceeding. Even yet they could not get at the bottom of the failures or successes beyond this, that in the first year the Act was in operation they had about 700 visits paid to children by probation officers, and visits by children to the probation officers. In 1908 it had gone into 5,000, and out of nearly 300 chil- dren they had only 15 unsatisfactory cases. It did not prove that use a child was troublesome he was going to turn out a cri- minal. The boy might not be subject to the good advice of the probation officer, and still turn out to be a good man. They did not abandon hope because he preferred to manage his own affairs. With their Act he was perfectly satisfied that they got what they wanted, and he would like to see that state of affairs continue until they really had an opportunity of going into it thoroughly. Mr. Mat-Masters (T.) said there was a strong feeling in Tas- mania that South Australia was much ahead of Tasmnia in deal- in- with neglected children, and in Victoria he was told by the ector not to seek information there, but to go further. In Tasmania they had a considerable number of children growing up under the most undesirable conditions, which tended to ruin them body and soul, and the Under Secretary and Manager of the De- partment told him of a Dumber of these cases, and that the dis- gusting details were quite correct, but they could do nothing, and could not step in because the parents were not actually criminals, and they could not be dealt with as neglected children so long as they had a lather and a home, and nourishment and food, even of a sort. How far did the Court in South Australia meet those ses. Mr. Gray (S.A.) said the definition of neglected child was '■any child who habitually begs or receives alms, whether under the pretext of sale or otherwise, or frequents any public place for the purpose of so begging or receiving alms ; or wanders about or frequents any public place, ('I- sleeps in the open air and does not satisfy the justices that he or she has a home, or settled place of abode ; or resides in any reputed brothel, or associates Or dwells with any person known to the police, or reputed to be a prostitute, whether such person is the mother of such child or not; or associates or dwells with any person who has been con- victed of vagrancy, or is known to the police as of bad reput who has 1 u or is reputed to be a theif or habitual drunkard ; or being under the age or apparent age ••!' ten years ^eiis or offers for sale between the hours of eight o'clock in the evening and live o'clock in the morning, in any public place or in any place other than the child's home, any matches, newspapers, or any other article, Whatsoever ; or is brought by his or her parents 54 re Justices as an unconti'olable or incorrigible child to the intern that such child may be senl to an Institution or otherwise dealt with pursuant to this Act. and whose parent undertakes to give security to the satisfaction ol the justices for the mainte- nun.- of sucb child in su.ii institution; or is under the guar- dians! i of any person whom the justices shall consider unfit to Lave such guardianship; or is illegitimate, and whose mother is dead or is unable to maintain or take charge of sucb child, and - Father or putative father is not known, or cannot be round, - unable to maintain such child, or is out of the province." -• were the words of the section, and it put the matter entirely in the hands of I ft. There \n;>s absolutely no appeal if in the opinion of the Council the parent was unlit to have control Of the child. The difficulty in South Australia was (hat for the first offence the justices wore unwilling to convict. There was a notion ti ed to be popular among justices that it was od thine to give a child another chance. Freqeuntly the child banded back to guardians who were not the best and sent bad; to environments thai were eminently unsuitable instead giving the child the chance of bettei environments and better maagement. The Chairman asked if Mr. Clarke would still object if the wands "and if possible adults" were taken out. Mr. Clarke was in sympathy with the resolution. Mr. Clarke said he hail no objection. There was the case Of a man who had borne a good record lor 75 years, and who because he had made a sudden slip was regarded as unfit to be released on probation. If a man had shown a good front to his friends for 75 years he was entitled to leniency, and the system of proba- tion should apply to him equally to the child. It did not follow that because a man had done wrong he should go to gaol. Miss Spence (S.A.) said they were not concerned with them, but only with the child. 38 Goldstein (V.) asked I there were probation officers in Queensland ': Mrs. Williams (Q.)— No. Miss Spence (S.A.) said they had bad a Court in South Aus- tralia for many years, but it was only within the last few years that they had had probation officers, and the results had been most emarkable. Miss Goldstein ti • . I fch< ition system was the whole key to the problem oi the children, it was a farce to have a C( less they had an efficient system of probation. Mr. Longmore (W.A.) aaid they had heard a great deal of West ■• Australia from Dean Latham. The members of the ware That in Western Australia they had pas 55 an Act recently that was almost similar to the South Australian l< £ slation, with perhaps a lew improvements, and in the defini- tion in the Western Australian Act it was provided "not being duly licensed for any trade." South Australia did not deal with every trade, but the Western Australian measure did. and all the children in Western Australia had to be licensed. The Act was carried 'in very strictly. As regards the probation, he did not know whether it was the exact words of the South Australian Act. but the clause in the Western Australian Act was perfectly plain, and seemed to meet the difficulty. It provided that the Court might release the child on such conditions as the Court might order, and in such cases the child should be subject to the supervision of the Department until he or she attained the age of 18 yeai That met every difficulty. The remarks of Mr. Clarke seemed to make the Victorian system rather complicated, and he could not find out what was actually meant. In his State had a Children's Court, and had no difficulty in carrying it out. It had got on remarkably well. The Court was open some lime in June last year, and it had dealt with 4(50 cases in Perth. He knew Victoria was a- much bigger place, but the number of Courts seemed to be much greater. They had a children's Court in every chief town in Western Australia, and the number did not reach anything like the number in Victoria. In that State they had 233 Courts. It seemed to be an enormous number, and he did not sc tli' necessity for them. The simpler those matters were dealt with the better. In Western Australia they had dropped the word reformatory. The orphanages and the Refor- matories were now industrial schools. It was thought that the I reformatory carried with it a certain stigma. Mr. Gray had opened up i big question, whether the Court should take full Con- or whether tin Department should. In South Australia he understood that probation meant that the child was placed under the '-are of the Department, and dealt with from the Department's standpoint. Mr. Ferguson Q | -aid there was only one step from the Chil- dren's Court to the Hi- art. In Queensland the honorary ma- . - did not allow • 'resfi or public to be present, only the child's guardian and th< legal representatives of both sides. On an indictabe offenci the child had to appear before the higher Court a judge in public. They had no probation r, nut something similar was done by the Orphanage Branch. Where children had shown an improvement in home lite and a change in living the Minister, upon his recommendation, made report* from tb< police officers ami inspectors, could approve of the child bi Ing dlfichai - Mr. Gray la thai a total discharge V 5G Mr r n'guson , > es. Mr. Gray Ours is not. Ferguson- it' thej became neglected children or came before the Court they might gel Into Ins bands again. Children broughl before the Bench under the age of 12 were committed to a re forma tor; or Industrial school, which was administered by another branch of his Department, and upon the recommendation of the Minister or Home Secretary, and with the approval of the Governor the child might be admitted to the orphanage, and then il came under his care. Thai was the only way they could - t neglected children. When the parents Improved tbej were dis- charged, lie had b case where the mother had i n drinking heavilj and the child passed Into the Department. The father was away, bul on bis return to Brisbane be made application for the child to be discharged. The mother had destroyed the home ami pawned everything, and there w ts no home. He suid the woman had kepi all right for three months. He refused to dis- charge the child and recommended thai the father should make nnother application in 12 moths. The Chairman said in South Australia they could send the children oul under licence to the parents with full supervision er them until the sentence expired. The words, "and if possible adults" were struck out and the motion, as amended, caried. The Conference adjourned. Institutional System 'in Western Australia. The Very Rev. Dean Latham (W.A.) :— 1 first want to thank the Council for allowing me to come here, because I am not really a delegate, but only a visitor. I have only had experience in Australia for three years, and it has been unlike the experience of all other delegates. It has been almost entirely of institutional work, and that. I propose to speak of this afternoon. My experience would have been different had I 1 n here, because I understand that in South Australia, at all events, you pin your faith almost entirely, bo f.iy as neglected children arc concerned, to the boarding- OUl system. In Western Australia our experience has been almost entirely of the institutional system. The conditions of the two States are very different, and the history id' the two state- is so different. Perhaps we should be as helpless if we attempted to start a full boarding-oul system in Western Aus- tralia as those in South Australia would be If they started an institutional system, and looked around for someone competent to carry it out. So far as my own cht - • concerned Unit, 57 movement began about 41 years ago. It began when Areh- deancon Brown found there was need for it. and he took a couple of cottages. The need he attempted to supply ver\ •soon brought to light other needs, and the work began to grow. In a few years the work became publicly recognised, and a serious demand made to put the whole thing on a permanent footing, and no longer leave it to the effort of one good man. tain principles were laid down on which the institutions have been worked ever since. In the first place the girls' orphanage was to be strongly religious, and beyond that it was to be strongly denominational. The work was emphatically Anglican work, although from the first there was a strong •conscience clause, and the doors were open to others, while co-operation in the management and the support of other peo- ple were invited. 1 am glad to say that we respect so far as n ■ can the consciences of the other people. One of the first Slings I did when I took charge was to enquire from the parents of the children of other denominations whether they objected to the teaching of their children by the manager or not. That was the only honest thing to do. Other denomina- te Roman Catholic and Salvation Army, have started their institutions, and thi se are strongly religious, and deno- minational. There was a second great principle laid down— close co- operation with the State. And that for more reasons than one. It is amazing to a man who has lived Jn England to see how much the Stale comes into the life of the ordinary citizen here. The State and the citizen out here seem to work hand in hand in a way to which I am not yet accustomed, although I appreciate it highly. The Siare aid takes this form. The Church is no1 -' ■_ enough to bear the whole burden, and it is quite right that the State should bear its fair share. The amount paid by the State was l per day; now it is a little more. The Church provides the buildings, the personal enthusiasm and devotion, and the care of the children From tl with the girls' orphanage we wen; blisb oil" for boys, and then we provided for an industrial school. Then we found it necessary t<> distinguish between the white children and the natives and half-caste children. A native and half-caste mission was started for >id now we are providing one for the hoys. In this do- tie provision Cor them as we do for the children of our own i We receive children from two sources— the State children, and those whom we look upon as private eases \ State child < I tute child or neglected child received inn. a Government Institution or a subsidized Institution, 01 appren- ■ i or placed oul under the authority of the A.ct. That is such an Institution as our own, where the children ar< main- tained wholly in- partly al Government cost, and cadi Insti- tution has to conform to the regulations laid down by the Department. The Secretary to the State Children's Depart- ment can. at his discretion, commit children to this institution, having, so far as possible, respect to the religious picas of the ais. We recently, In an experimental way. began the boarding-out system in Western Australia, in practice, the etary boards out little children under two years who re- quire more direct attention, and the older om - ommits to the Institution. when they bave been placed in the Insti- tution they become, to all intents and purposes, the wards of the manager. He is the person appointed by the - rning body, and Ts recognised by the Government. If thi - any- thing wrong is the one upon whom the Government drops. lie is the legal guardian as well as much more to the children. The children come there from two to four years of age, and we never cut their hair off nor put them in uniforms, and we provide them with a certain amount of pocket money, ana they spend most of it in hair ribbons. Until they pass the third standard they are taught in the orphanage, for which the Government provi< 3mall educational grant. Then by a reform recently introduced, from the fourth standard until they leave school ! them to the nearest state school. That experiment is not yet proved. In the case of an infec- - lis< B( qo one is allowed to go to the school, and it works out in practice that when one child is beginning to get well and the time for going to school approaches, another gets sick. As thej become older we begin to make them acquainted with the realities of the world in which they have to live. We give 'lem an industrial education teaching them the making and mending of clothes and household work. So that when they reach the age of ]<> or so they are ready to be out to soi vice, and the demand for them is so great that I am able to pick and choose. Frobably for every ten demands for children at the orphana^i we can satisfy only one. That is. briefly, an outline of how we train them. We make the religious work the foundation of their lives, and I think rightly SO. Besides I • State children we have those who conic from other Quarters, whom I call private cases. Sometimes we '■ a man hit a widower out hack, who cannot look after his children. I hud ;i case of a man the other day who was 59 left with two little girls, and the clergyman wrote a most appealing letter to take both of them so that they would be safe from trouble It was unsafe to leave the young girls out in llif bush town. There are mothers who want to do something for their children, and require assistance. In other eases the parents have to travel, and we take their children and they pay either the full amount or part of the burden. If you ask the children in the orphanage themselves they scarcely know whether they are State or other children, and many of them do not know on what conditions they are there. We have to face a difficulty that many of you are familiar with. The parent may bring the children and promise to do a lot, and - away, and does nothing. The recent Act has done some- thing to help us in that. Now we have the cases where the children may be committed to us direct by the Childem's Court, or in the case of a parent whom we have reason to think can pay, and wont, we can make thein State children, and it becomes a criminal offence to take them away. one hears many objections to institutional life. We have 41 years' experience behind us, and the first great thing that stands out is undoubtedly that everything depends upon the personality of the workers, and more especially upon the per- sonality of the manager, and infinitely more upon the charac- ter and personality of the matron in charge. If you get what you want in those respects, especially in the matron, then the work is thoroughly good, and the results are thoroughly good too. What I know about our own orphanage re- sults have been almost uniform and good. I do not deny that some of our girls have gone wrong. Children ;ire not always angels, and there are cases where it seems almost impossible to keep the girl straight. Why, heaven only know«. It. is probably the stock they come from. Speaking broadly the failures have been exceedingly few. Many of the former girls are now happily married and are Cul member* ol the society. The orphanage has been useful for the girls to have a home to come back to. They use it and we make il > strong point that they can come back and stay Cor a resl and holiday. Tin greal proof of the ap- pr< iation of the institution is thai they do come bark. With us we ar< a good deal tied up by our history. The that thi - ous bodies of Western Australia undertook -e of destituto children before anybody else did, • the - tself the religious bodies acting as such has com- mitted us. not officially, but in practice, to a certain line of \y. great army of workers and a great ii Is a greal national asset which is not 60 to be ligbtlj disbanded or thrown away, if lu practice it had turned ou1 badly it would have bad i<> go al any cost, and we would hare bad to begin again, western Australia win be committed for many years to o me to the institutional sys- tem, and I bope it will remain so from what I bave seen. There is nothing to justify us to change to the boarding-out. Western Australia is a country of vast distances and a shift- ing population, and it is hard to hud in Western Australia a proportion of good homes In which we might safely hoard out. The moving population and the distances make Inspection difflcull to carry out as it should be done. We bave found even in the case of grown up children thai the person who has taken them one year has. owing to changed circumstances, been compelled to return them the next. For many years to come l feel that we must have institutional methods. One thing is they must lie strongly religious, and Strongly deno- minational. In the first ease they depend entirely upon the workers. There is a great deal of exceedingly valuable work done, and it is the kind of work that you cannot get done by paying for it. You can only get your workers from the reli- gious people, and if you cannot gel them your work is beaten before it begins. The only motive on which you can get such work done is the religious motive. In 99 cases oul of 100 where people an- so keenly religious as to become religious workers they are strongly attached to their religion. Ami for that reason there must he deiioininationalism in your work because of the support that you can get only for per- sonal or denominational needs, and because you only find the enthusiasm to support it and undertake the dreariness and burden and sacrifice of it in a strong religious community. Then it must be religious and denominational for the sake of the children themselves. Many of them come from had stock, and they have to go out to the world handicapped by the want of good fathers and mothers, ami all that that means. You must give them all the help you possibly an, and the only thing that can help a man or woman, boy or girl through all the difficulties is close communion with tied, and beyond that .lose communion with Christians. Therefore the children should he in close communion with the people of the Church Mrs. Edwards (T.) said it was interesting to bear of the good work done in Victoria by the honorary probation officers, mid she saw no reason why such work could not he- easily he carried out in every State in the Commonwealth, and with equally good re- sults. In every town in the State cue found worker-. . | women in different societies, who would he willing and glad to 61 rake up this work if it were put before them, and they were work- ing under proper directions and laws. They bad in Tasmania a Children's Court, but they bad no probation officer, and in conse- quence of this the work of the children's Court was to a great extent nullified. The children were brought to the Court, and committed to the neglected children's department. The Act in Tasmania was not very precise. They bad lit Acts and amend- ments relating to neglected children, ami about six or seven sepa- rate Acts relating to deserted wives. That made it difficult to decide under what statute neglected children came, and it was one of the thin-- the Society for the Protection of Children was agitating for and appealing to the Government to have all the Acts consolidated, ami a proper children's Act brought before the Parliament, and the Society was agitating for a State Department to deal with matters relating to children and an Act dealing with the Children's Courl there by not bringing the children into touch with the police any more than could be possibly helped. She had had a great deal of experience with the police, and her ex- ;■- rience had raised the police considerably in her estimation. She had found them humane men, desirous of doing all they could ar as the law would allow, to ameliorate the condition of ■ dren. The Governor and Lady Strickland would be a loss to - tiania in regard to children's work. They both took a deep interest in the work, and her Ladyship had assure:! her that she was watching the work done by the Conference with keen interest. Lady Strickland had forwarded to her :;• letter by a local correspondent <•!' one of the English papers dealing with the Chil- dren's Act. which had just 1 n passed. It States — "As a strik- ing example one section enumerates no less than 13 courses which ..pen to the Courl when a child is found guilty of any offence, the thirteenth being 'by dealing with the case in any other manner in which it may be legally dealt with." and thus perhaps, compri- sing alternatives in itself. If indeed a judge should be given a broad discretion when he sentences adult prisoners he should have far wider limits in dealing with children, for the simple reason that unlike an adult, a child lias no choice in the matter of its •■ and Surroundings, which in some cases may reduce it< real guilt to the vanishing point." There was another provision in the Act which closed die Courl to the public with a certain reserva- • n favour < f Press cepresental i\ es. Were press representative admitted to the Courts in South Chairman Yes, hut there is some qualification to that: Idom use names, . Edwards fhey do not publish the names 62 Mr. \Y. p. Spargo (Q.) in Queensland the press are nol ad- mitted. Mr. a. (;. Clarke (V.) Nor In Victoria. Mrs. Edwards said In England the press were allowed in al the retlon of the judge, bul they were nol allowed in In Tasmania. Ai present they were only touching the verj fringe of the work. They had some excellenl laws steps In the right direction, but they wanted the machinery to carry ii out. They wanted a pro- bation officer ami a greal deal more money, und a State Chil- dren's Department, and thej hoped thai when they returned 1<> Tasmania with the Information relating (<> the South Australian Department and those in other States, that ii would go a long waj ic i i ip them In the good work. RESOLUTION COMMITTEE. Miss Spence advanced the subjed of passing resolutions. She doubted whether it was wise to pass resolutions immediately. If thej were agreed to at once the Conference would not have had time to weigh and think over the papers. For instance, the morn- big - ssion was devoted to infantile mortality, and sh< did nol think they could go far wrong in passing the resolution they had, but that afternoon they had the most important subject of proba- tion, and the improvement of children in their own homes, and they had a speech by Dean Latham on a subject to be touched on on Wednesday, and they could not pass a resolution on that at once. They must stick to one thing if they were going to do anything at all. She would like to take the sense of the Conference as to whether it was well to have resolutions passed at every session, or whether it would not be better to have a day for resolutions at the end of the meeting Miss Goldstein thought ope resolution might conflict with ano- ther if they passed them every day. and after passing one they might r the subject from a different standpoint later on. The Chairman said he v is in the hands of the meeting. The difficulty was that it was i ard to recall the whole points days 3CUSS on. It - I'/ him to he well to pass resolu- tion- v. ' : i - before them. Miss S e said - | that day might go well with the disc uith their opinion would he more bal- anced a ■ comp] had the two points to go upo i. The Dean ! should be taken in connection with iscuss i rtitut - - was whether iriotiid take thai daj c delay it until there w - g •'' al ons. 63 Mr. Longmore understood tliat in other conferences a 1 lution committee was appointed which drafted resolutions for the conference to adopt. He moved that a committee be appointed to present resolutions at the close of the Conference. The Chairman said it was exceedingly important that they should put their opinions in the form of resolutions, or else they would stultify their work. Mrs. Williams asked if members of the Conference could - • in resolutions to the resolution committee. The Chairman — That is the understanding. Mr. Gray said it would meet Mrs. Williams if the resolution committee were appointed, and all resolutions were handed to it, to be brought up for final revision at the end of the session. Any resolutions passed would b' handed to the committee, who would formulate a series of reso ations which could be passed without much difficulty or i lis - >n. The resolution was d, and Messrs. Longmore. Ferguson, - Ith, Mil- 1 ! -• - ml Gray, and Misses Spence and Goldstein were appointed members of the committee. Second Day, Wednesday, May 19th. The Congi milled at 10 a.m. The Chairman (Mr. T. Rhodes) pi The Chairman said there was one matter he wished to bring forward. The Committee of the Aborigines Friends' Association •ly anxious to be present on Friday at the discussion on the i bility of the sine to half-castes, and he asked the Congress to Indicate [ta approval to that step. Approval was given. VISITS 'lit I\SI II QTIONS. The chairman asked the Committees who had visited the various Institutions on Tuesday to present their reports. — Beaumont and Magill. — Mrs. Gover (W.A.) said she wis very much Impressed with iter visit. She would llki \ much concerning the different G4 phases ol the work she saw, bu1 thai would encroach too mnch «ni their time. The Girls' Home a1 Beaumonl was in a splendM Hon, and splendidly kept, and the type of girl was much above ill,, type "i' these she had me! In other Institutions. Witu the , - . , | • t i i >i i of two or three she was much struck with them. She would like to know the history of one girl. She was deeply in* ssed with the way the girl --poke to her and answered her questions. Their vocal powers were beyond description. They sang remarkably well, and when she went outside into the gar- den and sav the surroundings it seemed to her not like an Insti- tution at all. she t'lt. too, ih.it there was no need for a special parh for girls by which ;h \ should be branded, and everything seemed like heme. 'The Magill institution was the finest Institu- tion she had seen iii her travels. She was much Btruck with Che boys. They did uol appear to be of the criminal set. They i a much higher grade of boy than thos< she had met with the ex- ception of four, whom she should imagine were horn of criminal parents, in those eases only the grace of God could do for Hu boys what was necessary to make them real citizens for the good of the State. The officer, Mr. Button, was an admirable man. and evidently knew his work, and thoroughly understood human nature in so far as dealing with boys was concerned. When she- asked him how long he had been then- he said 20 years, and 14 years on the water. She asked him what he should do if lie got notice to quit, and had to leave the institution. His answa was that he did not know. Probably he would open a private institution of his own. because he loved the work, and loved the boys. That was the typo of man they wanted to gel bold of. That was the sort of man they wanted, because he broke down the hard pie.-e of machinery which they generally found in those institutions. She thanked the Council for having arranged the S, because they were SO much better than having things on paper. Mr. S. Williams (Q.) was delighted with the opportunity of in- specting the two institutions that it was their privilege h> inspect At the Girls' Home they paid a surprise visit. They did not know anything aboul their coming, and so they found them as they were generally. They were delighted with the cleanliness and order, and the homelike appearance of everything. She did not think there was anything in the institution that pleased her more than the home life and religious atmosphere. Those matter-- were ssary in dealing with young people, and especially with the - of girls they gol in the home. The matron was away, and they did not meet her. but she evidently was the right sort of woman. The happiness and contentment of the young people impressed her. and there was discipline, and at the same time m 65 reasonable amount of freedom. AYith regard to the Magill insti- tution the building was a splendid one, but it impressed her as being too much like a prison. She should like to bring even to naughty children the influence and atmosphere of home life more than could be done in such a place. The boys were healthy and active, and there, as well as at the Girls' Home, they had out- door life, which conduced to good health. The Superintendent was the right man. There was only one thing she saw which she Avould like to mention. It „ax, ;*--< fact that the boys had not any part of the day for Jueation. Although the boys and girls were away from home and friends because they had done those things which they ought not to have done, the State should m t neglect that very important part of their lives. She asked question, and she found that lessons were given to boys who were willing to take them. Her experience of boys and girls was that they were not willing. They did not want it because they did not realise how much it meant to them by and by. The boys needed sufficient education to make them capable in life, and that was a very important thing. It should not be expected that after the - had done their days work they should have school lessons, but they should have some part of the day devoted to education, and they should have that great opportunity — it might not come to them again — of being educated in some sense. The girls, she understood, did go to school, and it was only in the Boys' Refor- matory that she noticed the absence. She wished to express her appreciation of the opportunity of visiting the institutions, and she felt that the President of the State Children's Council was the right man for the position. As she listened to the words of admo- nition and kind and loving counsel lie gave to the boys she felt that they were happy in the officers of the Council. Mr, Gray (S.A.) wished to introduce Mr. A. W. Green, from New South Wales. The Chairman extended a welcome to Mr. Green. Mr. A. \Y. Green (N.S.W.) apoligised for the absence of Dr. McKellar. He was President of the Bank of New South Wales, the annual meeting took place that week. He begged to thank them for their welcome. Dr. li. S. Rogers 1S.A.1 said there was one remark which called for reply. That was l>y Mrs. Williams, \ n regard to schooling, it was understood thai all the children were educated up to 13 -■ . At the Reformatory they had only three boys under thai ;it- r '-. Those boys received their daily education, and the re- mainder were employed ;it their various tasks during the day. it was thought by the Superintendent thai it would be unfair to Impose upon those children evening lessons after they had com- 66 pleted their dully work. .Mr. Button was also of opinion that there mtghl be other difficulties. Suppose, for Instance, he said, that o boy found II distinctly t<> iiis advantage to remain In the Institution in order to acquire more education than be was already furnished with, n might be round when thai boy was senl to an establishment for boarding oul thai he would flnd a pretexl for misbehaviour in order thai he mighl be senl hack. Miss Spence (S.A.) said there was one point she wished to mention. That was the prison-like appearance of the building at _ 11. That building was erected for an Industrial school to hold :j:;i> children, it had been deprived of thai use because the industrial children were aol there, it was built foolishly, with four Boors, though they had 80 acres of land. Now they bad industrial children there in separate cottages, which were much e home-like. They could not make the Magil] Reformatory 1 ok like a home because Of the error in building it in the first place. .Mrs. Gover said they were informed by Mr. Button that one Ilighl a week was set apart for going into school, when the boys were to write to their parents, or do some other work which was found to bo helpful. The Chairman wished to point out that they had at Magil] only a fragment of the usual number of boys there. That was the tesl of success. They used to have about 120 boys at Magill ; to-day they had only about 20. At the Catholic Hoys' Reformatory, Brooklyn Park, there were 19 boys, and a few at the Probation School. Mount Barker. So fax as the boys were concerned they had every reason to congratulate themselves. They had a qualified teacher at Magill, but on account of the limited number of boys they some time ago suggested that there Should be a uight school, and if they could improve on that they would be obliged to the hint given to them by .Mrs. Williams. He wanted (inly to supplement those remarks by showing that their revenue was good. The cash sales bad been £362 2/5 : fodder, fruit, vegetables, firewood, milk, honey, meat. &c, consumed on the place. E501 6/ ; carpenter's work done on the premises. £9 8/6; boxes made for children's outfits, £71 12/; and there were other items which brought the total to £982 3/11. That was a very cre- ditable record. Ml-. Gray said that besides the educational facilities referred to by Mrs. Will iios there was one afternoon devoted to drill and Singing, and one half-day spent in receiving religious teaching, . thai the solid line- for work was materially diminished. The chairman said he meant to refer t<> the Beaumont insti- tution. He was e igly pleased with the changes he saw- there. The Salvation Army had spenl a greal deal of money in 67 building substantial erections at the back of the premises, and they now made an ideal place. There wen' large dormitories and playrooms, and the old shanties had been done away, so that they could now no much better work. — Brooklyn Park and Edwardstown.— Mr. Spargo (Q.) said he was deputed to make the report in regard to Brooklyn Park and Edwardstown. At the former place they were welcomed heartily by Father Healy. and scarcely had they entered the building when they heard the strains of the National Anthem sung in admirable voice. Some of the members of the committee gave the boys advice. They went over the place, and Father Healy proudly showed them through and mani- fested a good deal of pardonable pride in the garden and the land. They had 25 acres in all. Among other things he was anxious to know was the routine of work. The hoys rose at six, and after prayers had breakfast. Then came the ordinary work, younger boys of a school going age had school in the morning, and there was midday dinner at 12.30. The smaller boys . into school again, and the larger ones went into the garden, a I from three to five all the boys went into the open air. Then there were lessons in the evening, so that there was not failure so far as education was concerned at Brooklyn Park. He wanted to know the procedure on the Sabbath. He found that there were prayers in the morning, and following that the children were taken to the parish church. In the afternoon they had their Sunday school at the little church in the institution. In the even- ing ordinary lessons of an elementary character such as reading, writing, and arithmetic were given, and Father Healy was strong on the temperance catechism. On the walls he saw nothing better than a large copy of the pledge. He asked Father Healy about it. and the reply was that the cause of all those institutions was drink, and they were trying to inculcate the spirit of temperance into the boys. He was pleased on the whole with the institution, and he asked Lady Bonython what die thought was the greatest lack in the place. She hardly knew, but he remembered what Miss Goldstein had said in her address. There was the lack of a woman's love and life ai>out the place. It was an admirable • and exceedingly well kept. 'I hen- was the strictest disci- pline, which was uecessary from tie- character of the boys, and Father Healy had splendid assistance in the two lay brothers. They had a little lunch, and made their way trial School at Edwardstown, where they had another lunch. They could not help contrasting the touch of a woman's hand then- as against the other place. The Edwardstown Institution beautifully situated, ami made a great Impression on the 68 minds of nil the visitors. There were three cettages. One for small girls up to the age of 14 years and another for hoys, and the main cottage for the bigger girls. There were officers In charge Ol each cottage. AH the cottages were well furnished and kepi beautifully clean, and the ventilation was perfect Those cot- i re entirely separate although there was mi dividing fence. Tbey saw the boys and girls together, and be asked If there was any trouble In regard to sweethearting. They were told that there little or mi trouble In thai particular direction, [f they found :i boy rude or fael they Immediately communicated with Mr. Gray, and the boy was cleared out. A sharp lookoul was kepi, and there bad been practically do trouble since the matron had been there, which was over a Dumber of years. There was one ward for the babies. They were well cared for, and the ward looked exceptionally clean. They wen- peased to find the hospi- tal very nicely arranged, and well kept. The fumigating chamber was available for anything In the way of contagious disease. The staff consisted of a matron, a sub-matron, and four nurses, in ad- dition to a gardener, a man living In the neighbourhood, who supervised the garden and taughl the boys the art of gardening. Everything was apparently working most harmoniously. There was a certain element of home aboul the place. The Gospel Of lOVe certainly reigned in that institution, and everything was well oiled by kindness, grace, and love, and that made the machinery nm. lie Should judge, very smoothly indeed. There was plenty of work for the children as well as plenty of education. The girls were called upon to do the laundry work and keep I lie place clean, and the boys had the outside work— chopping the wood, and clean- ing up the place and gardening. The matron informed him that the garden, although somewhat small, was productive, and they had an income of over £21 last year as a result of the fruit and vegetahles produced, hesides their own consumption. He found also an admirable method, which was to be commended. The newly committed children, instead of hoing placed with the other boys ami girls, were separated and put in the hospital ward, and kepi there for 14 days, to avoid anything in the way of contagious disease being brought into the institution. Another point was that some of the boys had heen in the school for a considerable time. He was informed that the Council had arranged for the apprenticeship of one hoy to the furniture trade, and another hoy was in the employ of a member of the Council. Those boys lived at the school, and were subjeel to the same discipline and regula- tions iis the others. They were charged the modest sum of 2/ a week if they earned i;/, ami more on a gradual scale. The idea was that the school should he a home for them. Evidently it was appreciated in the highest degree by the hoys, who never got into 69 trouble. He asked if the same concession was given to the girls, and was informed that they had not the same privilege. The idea of home life was certainly prominent. The Chairman said they would like to hear the opinion of Mr. ■a. Mr. Green (N.S.W.) quite agreed with Mr. Spargo in regard to the want of the touch of a woman's hand at the Roman Catholic institution. In New South Wales they did not send boys to a place where there was no woman. There was uo home in New South Wales for Government boys unless there was a matron in charge. They had the cottage system in vogue, and they had 14 of them. They dealt with feeble-minded children, ophthalmic children, and epileptic children in cottages. They limited the num- ber so far as they possibly could to about 16, and they thought that was sufficient for a man and his wife to look after. They dealt with truant boys in cottages. They had no large institutions for the State children now unless they included the training ships, which were not under the Uelief Board. They were in the Education Department. Truant boys who had to be separated from their parents were placed in the cottages under a man and his wife. They found that system to work well. The Brooklyn Park institution was admirably managed so far as he could see. There could be no doubt about that. It was a real good institu- tion as an institution, but to his mind the principle was wrong. It was wrong to have boys brought up without a mother's care and love. Brooklyn Park was nicely planned, and the dormi- tories and living rooms well kept, but after all there was no woman's life about the place. The Edwardstown institution was an ideal one. He was proud of New South Wales, but he did not think they could come up to that. They had newer buildings, but they were not so well planned as at Edwardstown. He should have likM to have seen Edwardstown on ground not quite so level. The want of good drainage might ultimately affect the health of the Inmates. They had always made it a point so far as possible to get the cottages on rising ground, and to get the drainage as far away from the homes as possible. Unless they in Edwardstown had septic tanks, or something like that, thej ,t hav some trouble. He hoped they might never have it, but that was the only failure which he could see. The govern- ment Of the institution wafl |USi as it should be. They saw the woman's hand at Edwardstown just as they missed it at the other place. He congratulated them upon the girls - school. ft on.- of Hie besl places he had seen In his life, and he bad bad ■nrs in the work. Mi— Goldstein ("V i was simply delighted with Edwardstown. it was on • of the besl sic had seen anywhere, she hoped thai In 70 Victoria the example of South Australia would be followed. The children seemed thoroughly at home and happy, simply because they managed the place ou family lines. If she had beeu con- sulted as to the place she would have wished to go on the visit of inspection, the Receiving Depot at Edwardstown was the one she would have chosen. Everything about the place was in per- fect order, and even in the bedrooms the place was filled with flowers. The beauty aud joy of flowers meant so much to chil- dren. So much could be done and taste cultivated through the simple medium of a flower garden. Other speakers had touched upon various phases ; she wished to touch upon the domestic part. They had lunch there and it was simply a triumph of culinary art. She understood that the dinner was prepared by the girls. After- dinner they saw several of the girls working in the cottage, and they were pictures of health. When the luncheon was spoken of they seemed pleased to think that it had been enjoyed. Every- thing was beautifully cooked. She could not help thinking what it meant to the girls in the future. They would look forward to recent development should be extended. In every girls' school there domestic training must mean a good deal to them. Oue heard much of the problems of the drink in the home. The wonder was not that they had less, but that they did not have more drinking. She often thought that the kitchen was sometimes to blame for driving many people to drink. The foundation of the home was 5n the kitchen. It meant much if there were properly cooked meals for a man when he came home tired from his work, but if the meal was badly prepared and badly served it was enough to drive him away. In the kindergarten children were learning to serve meals, and in Melbourne it was wonderful to think of the reform that was being worked through the kindergarten. If was a real reform, and the managers at Edwardstown were to be con- gratulated on the special attention they paid to the domestic side of a girl's training. Nothing could compensate for that, and the reason for so much trouble in the past she thought, was that that part of a woman's training had not been attended to. In recent years attention had been given to it. Recently in the Melbourne Exhibition of Women's Work, tin Education Department sent their girls, who had had training under special teachers, right through the exhibition, and hundreds of people wanted to go there, and there were never enough tickets to supply them. That quite recent development should be extended. In every girls school there should be a proper domestic training. One of the papers given at the ('(ingress spoke of marriage as women's chief profession, and that there was no training for it. She did not forget that training should be in the home, but the trouble was that the train- ing was not given there and they had to make up for it in the 71 schools. She thought the practice at Edwardstown of having the boys and girls together was a good one. She spoke to the matron about it. They would not separate the boys and the girls in the homes, and they should not do It in their institutions. They must keep up the family plan as much as possible. Mr. Smith iV.) thoroughly endorsed the remarks of Mr. Spargo. The matron at Edwardstown seemed to be a very suit- able person for the position, and everything was satisfactory. —Redruth.— Mr. MacMaster (T.) said Mr. Longmore and himself had had a really delightful day. and they were deeply indebted to Miss Stirling, who accompanied them, and represented the Council, for the information she gave them and for guidance in many ways. II,. confessed that when they approached the building at Redruth they received something of a shock. They felt that at least, on outside, it was ., veritable gaol, but once admitted by the smiling ja: hey received a warm welcome from Mrs. Hol- den, the matron. They were taken into a room where there was a decided touch of the woman's hand. Many of the articles in room were the work of the girls themselves. There was a i ween the outside and the inside of the building. The building in LtS< If was wholly undesirable, and he must con- gratulate t]i<- matron and the Council on the wonderful triumph over tli' • - idvantages. He held strongly that in most eases that it was the man behind the gun who counted. But in this - the woman and Mis. Holden had done marvels. The stone walls had a distinctly unpleasant suggestion, and over that Mr-. Holdei d largely to have triumphed. If those girls whom they s e girls who were considered to be too had g-out sysb m, and too bad to deal with at the indus- trial schools, then Mr. Longmore and himself felt they must con- South Australia on the exceptionally high type of chil- dren in the State. • - mething in almost every human being that could be reached by the infinite tenderness and judg- ment, hut quit< apart from that there were one or two girls in thai institution who. given a fair chance by the employers, should iop into r< ally useful membei s of s eiety. He was much struck wiih the bright ■ f the girls, and their bearing was all that could be desired. They readily responded t" the questions a- and i them said the position they most aspired to was to Mrs. Holden'8 personal maid. That spoke volumes for the matron. Some of the laundry well, was being done very nicely. and king was really admirable. Theirs was no! a light •■■iv|i moment said he would sample .■thing en the table, : mented Western Australia 72 on having such a conscientious officer. He went right through without shirking anything, and wheu he congratulated the girls upon their luncheon they showed that they liked it. He congratu- lated Mrs. llolden most heartily on the bright appearance of the dormitories. Looking into that place he was much struck with the bright appearance of the walls, with their little mottoes and rations, particularly the one "God is love." That was very nice, but he should like to see arrangements made to let more of God's fresh air into the bedrooms. Mr. Longmore and himself felt that the ideas of modern hygiene could not be carried out in the dormitories. He did not want to push that, because it was wonderful what Mrs. Holden had done in face of her difficulties. He recognised that the State Children's Council was not respon- sible for the building. As a newspaper man he knew what uncon- scionable fellows the Treasurers of the different States were, and how difficult it was to loose the purse strings. Mr. Longmore and himself had felt strongly that in South Australia they were particularly fortunate in many respects. What had impressed them was the number of ladies with leisure and ability who had thrown themselves into the work heart and soul. Partly as a result of that they had been able to secure first-rate officers, and when they had got them it seemed a pity that the men and women who carried out the work had not the very best material to work upon. The institution at Redruth was 100 miles away from Ade- laide. Owing to its uninviting environment in the shape of stone and mortar the girls did not get the amount of mental stimulus that they would get under different conditions. While they were aware that a certain amount of instruction was given they merely threw out the suggestion that in the particular circumstances, apart from such mental stimulus, the girls within those walls should have more, rather than less education, than was required elsewhere, apart from what was now done by the teacher. He could only repeat that they felt they should pay a high compliment to the matron of that institution. They were very pleased with the work done by the girls, and they felt that those young people were being fitted admirably for a useful life. One or two people had referred to the lack of a woman's hand in some of the insti- tutions. It was not so where they had gone, and perhaps if they had consulted woman in the construction of the building the out- side would not be so forbidding as it appeared. They expressed their thanks to Miss Stirling for the kindness extended to them on the journey. Miss Stirling (S.A.) said they had a very pleasant day, and the girls gave them an excellent luncheon. She was glad that Mr. MacMaster and Mr. Longmore had spoken so nicely of the institu- tion. Mr. Longinore (W.A.) said Mr. MacMaster's report had been so full that it was hardly necessary for him to add to it. He was •pleased with his trip, which was most enjoyable under the gv.- a nee of Miss Stirling. S Australian institutions were not un known to him personally, and he had previous to the Tuesday visited them all except the one at the Burra. He was glad of the opportunity of going there. Although somewhat uninviting out- side, it was an institution he was convinced where love abounded. There was no suggestion of cowed children there. He had had experience of those institutions in Western Australia, and the mother country, and he did not desire to draw comparisons, but the institutions of South Australia compared more than favourably with the institutions in any other part of the world. The educa- tion problem had been touched upon by the reports from the other instirutions, Magill, for instance. The Council should not come to the conclusion that because a child reached the age of 13 ye; 1 - or whatever the age standard was. that education of the chi should cease. In all English reformatories which he was connec- ted with before he left for Australia, no matter what age the boy or girl was, they received scholastic education for three hour- day. They must remember that those children had been broug up badly, and started life in ad - home surroundings, and they should receive more attention in that matter than others. Speak- ing of Western Australia he had insisted that in the LnstitutiO - which were subsidized by the State the boys who were of the same age as those at Magill should receive education to some extent. In England the [nspector paid to their educa- tion. Th • Hon Anny people somewhat objected at first, but now i - tato line. He did uol see why the boys _ t at uight. [i ■! training should be job N\i'i the othei Spea . ge lly on Redruth he congratulal everyone ted with the Institution on the brightness of the children and I ire and at they received. As to luncheon, 1 ' he \\ as all right, and he > i o :| "ii having such an Institution. Mr. i - - ird to Magill, he had ph, . r.i m Williams had a, and I him thai irery boy who was th uui (i.kI coi mpulsory si indard, re . ii, • ,. . tion, an I the ■ In which he i 74 taught and the master by whom he was taught Were under the inspection of ihe Education Department in exactly the same way as the other schools of the State. If the boy had passed the com- pulsory standard and desired to go further he could have lessons In m the school master any and every evening if he wished. It was only when a boy had passed Toe compulsory standard that he got no more regular schooling, and if he then desired to go further he was at liberty to do so. — Mount Barker. — Mr. Ferguson (Q.) said that having listened to the other re- ports he had come to the conclusion that he had visited the best institution of the whole lot. They went by train to AJdgate, and then drove 13 miles on a pleasant road to Mount Barker. When they arrived there was no appearance of a prison. There was a beautiful residence built on a hill. When they got into the grounds they were greeted with cheers from the "prisoners" who were enjoying themselves on the merry-go-round in the yard. Then they met Staff-Captain Carless and his wife. They had just as good a. meal as they had at the Burra. At anyrate they enjoyed it as much. There was nothing around but good home life. Mr. and Mrs. Carless were assisted by two ladies chiefly. The cap- tain directed the outdoor work. They had 130 acres of ground,, with 50 acres under cultivation, and they grew a certain amount of produce and vegetables, mostly for their own consumption. They had sold hay and field peas, and at present had four of five cows, but they hoped to increase the herd to 14 or 15. There was strict discipline and also education. An ensign was in charge of 30 boys, teaching them the ordinary school lessons. They taught up to six grades, which was rather a big handful for one teacher to take charge of. One little chap, the youngest of the lot, was the pet of everyone. He looked more like a girl, and he called Mrs. Carless "auntie." Love was certainly not absent from that institution. The beys were bright and cheerful and seemed happy. They wre ready and willing to answer all questions. The posi- tion of the institution was one that could hardly be improved upon. There was a pleasant view, and even Mrs. Crompton went up to the top of the tower and stayed there half an hour viewing the country. The work seemed to be carried out with the one object of pleasing the boys, showing them that love had answered. Even the matron {old them one of the greatest de- lights of ti. - g ant in the kitchen was to do everything in the cooking line in the best manner possible to please the boys. He was pleased to note from the report of the Council that the work of Ensign Chipper had received great praise from the Education Department, and that a good percentagi of her pupils had passed.. 75 That showed that she was a good officer, and showed that the work was being done in a proper manner. The dormitories were neal and clean, and every boy except the little one he had refer- red to made his own bed. There ware 42 boys, of whom about 22 were State Children, and the others were private ones. The State, he understood, paid 6/0 a week for the children. They had plenty of outdoor amusements and exercise. He was very pleased with the visit. They had no probationary homes iu Queensland,. and very few homes at all. The only institutions they had were orphanages, and except the Roman Catholic ones, they were under 1li<- control of the State, and they had a Receiving Depot to which Protestant girls went until they found them homes, or boarded i i in with their employers. The kitchen he left to the ladies. s. Crompton said it was rather more than two years since sin last visited Eden Park, and she was very pleased with her visit. The class of boys had much improved. It was a real plea- sure to have anything to do with Mrs. Carless, who did her work with pleasure. I; showed the respect and trust people had in the institution when so many private boys were there. The little boy of four was left motherless at birth. His father was moved to Zealand, and he placed his four boys in That institution. They had grown up with Mr. and Mrs. Carless, and the boys called them uncle and aunt. They were very pleased with the kit '-hen. The little cook who was doing duty there, she had known since birth. She was not good at lirst. but developed well r and gave her as much pleasure on her visit as the boys. She 1 was now on the way to making a good useful woman. Everything abOUl the place seemed to be in good order. There was an ab- sence of water, hut water was now being bored for to supply the deficiency. In every way they were more than pleased with their vi^it. EXTENDING Tin: HOME SYSTEM. MiSS Goldstein ,\-.| thought that they might discuss the ques- tion of having receiving depots tor boys and girls at work. So of them bad i:ot suitable homes, nnd if they could go some- win re tbey could bo attended to at nominal cost, it would do some- thing to save them from going wren-. Chairman said they would be able to bring forward a definite resolution. MARRIAGES OF Till': UNFIT. Dr. Helen May s \ said one ol the points raised in ber paper was the marriagi ol 'he unlit thai was. those who were Imbecile or diseased, she would like to hear an expression of 76 ■opinion from the Congress whether steps could be taken to pre- vent such marriages. Mrs. Cover (W.A.) said it was a question they would like to get the bottom of, and they should face it. Dr. Mayo said one of the methods by which it could be at- tained was to render imbeciles unable to propogate. It was a "big question, but she could not see why it should not be done in some cases. That was a serious thing to undertake when they were not quite certain that the person would remain imbecile all their lives.. Mr. Green (N.S.W.) said the question was one of much import. Were there many such marriages in the Commonwealth ? His experience was that there were very few. Why legislate for something which was not pressing ? The present laws of lunacy enabled the Government to deal with the feeble-minded and im- becile, and therefore it would not be necessary to deal with in- stances of that kind. He recognised that consumption and other illnesses were difficult to deal wnth. They had a number of those cases in New South Wales, Avhere the people had married, but he did not se£ how they were going to bring anything before the Parliaments or Governments that would help them. It was be- yond the scope of the Congress to deal with the question. It was almost impossible to lay down any hard and fast rule or devise any scheme to get practical results. If they could not get prac- tical results they would be only beating the air. They were as- sembled for practical purposes, and not for theoretical work. Dr. Mayo said her great point was not so much the married people, as the illegitimate children born of mothers, not perhaps full idiots, but near the border line. They seemed to be the prey to unprincipled men. She had come across many of those cases. Miss Spence (S.A.) said she had come across many of those cases in the Destitute Asylum — feebie-niinded women who were not idiots, but were without moral sense or control. They came time after time to have their babies at the Asylum. Those babies were really not very desirable citizens, and if it was in the power of science to sterilize those women it would be a good thing for the community. Ordinary well-to-do people propogate very slowly, but those weakrminded women were evidently naturally very fertile. The manner in which men w r ere allowed to leave the lunatic asylum because they were better, ami then had to return after a few months should be enquired into. She did not know how many cases had come under her knowledge as a member of the Destitute Board. It was an awful thing that a man should be allowed to go out for a time and beget children who would not he desirable citizens. It was a terrible handicap for a poor wife to manage those children. 77 Mr. MacMaster (T.) said if the Congress was going to deal with such questions it was going to plunge itself into a sea of difficulties. Men of science were seeking to deal with the mat- ter, and the Congress should not pass resolutions which would pro- bably render it ridiculous. There was a popular book which dealt with the question, and anone who read that would realize that it could not be dealt with in a Congress like theirs. Miss Spence thought Dr. Mayo was to be congratulated upon her courage in having brought the matter forward. Wednesday Morning. The Deputy-Chairman (Mr. J. Longmore) asked if Miss Gold- stein would move a resolution on the question of a receiving house for boys and girls who were temporarily out of a situation. ;g Goldstein 1V.1 said she did uot feel competent to move a resolution as the whole thing was new. She was only asking for information on the subject. It struck her that there were many young girls and boys of l«j and 17 years of age who were earning their own living and who were boarding in places that were not desirable. They could only pay a small sum, and con- sequently they bad to put up with most undesirable circumstances and conditions, and bad environments altogether. She thought it the idea of the receiving house could be extended it might be of good to the young girls and boys who were earning their own living. The Deputy-Chairman said the question was one of homes for boys rind girls Miter leaving institutions. They existed all over the world. Mr. A. \v. Green (N.S.W.) said in his state they always dealt with the children after they left the institutions or boarding-out homes, but they had private homes for them. He did not think it would be .1 ."• d thing to make a depot or home to keep hoys Mid girl I gether. At any rate | n New South Wales it would to he ,-i large place because a large number of boys and \ d have t<> !"■ dealt with, because after a hoy had stayed in a place for BOme time they thought they should get more in. ai.d they generally lefl their situation, and If n ••(' them were 78 to be taken into the home at Paddington it would be swamped. He did not think it was desirable to have in a depot the boys and girls who were out of a situation. It was different with the few exceptional eases they had at Edwardstown. They had no difficulty in Sydney in finding guardians because inearly all the children who had been boarded out went back to their foster homes when they were out of a situation, and they had no diffi- culty in placing them when they were out of work for a week or two. The Department had clients who had been boarding out chil- dren for 2-~> years, and so there was no difficulty in finding homes. It would not be a good thing to start an institution. It would only be building up the institution system against the boarding-out scheme. He was strong about boarding-out because he was strong about family life. They could not get that if they had the boys and girls in an institution. Mr. Eongniore might smile, but he had had long and wise experience of that particular work, and his experience was that they must have family life if they were going to have any success. He did not care how poor the home was, the father and mother were bettor than any institu- tion they could get. In New South 'Wales they never separated a widow from her children under any circumstances so long as they were able to pull along, and they gave the woman a subsidy. They spent £25,000 a year in keeping children with their widowed mothers. Family life was the position they should take up in regard to the boys and girls returning from situations. They must have family life and personal influence which was so necs- sary in life. Sentiment came into it largely, but sentiment ruled the world, and sentiment was the love of the home. Miss Goldstein (V.) said she was not setting up institutions, but there were many young children who did not come within the ficope of institutions, who had to earn their own living in shops and factories and who had bad environments. If they knew they could go to a Department and be recommended to a boarding pi ice it would be better for them. It was only an idea she was speaking of. but she would like to see it extended. It was an office which would recommend the boys and girls where to go, and where in time they might become as one of the family. Her trouble was that there were many young boys and girls who were not in trouble, but who might get into difficulties because of their vicious surroundings. Miss Speiice agreed with Mr. Green that it would be most undesirable to make the children go to a depot. Miss Goldstein evidently meant that the State Children's Council should add to )\< work in the way of advice gratis, of recommending suitable places for girls who were out of work to live in. That would be an addition to the work of the institution, and it was open to 79 discussion whether it would not be an excellent plan. The depar- ture mentioned by Miss Goldstein was a new one, and it required thinking over, but it was a valuable suggestion because the State Children's Department was well known and trusted. Mr. Gray (S.A.) said there were one or two remarks he desired to make in reference to the institutions that had been visited. They had heard a great deal about the institutions, but while the children gave the visitors a good impression, he was afraid it would not he quite true to say that the children were of a supe- rior class to those who were found in other places. The children came to them as rough and degraded as he supposed they found anywh If they were now better the officials were exceed- ingly grateful and glad that it was so. Sometimes the children went out, and they also came hack. TTieir appearance and manner in the institution were not always true indications of what they were when they were placed out. In many cases it 9, and when they had been handled long enough it generally 8, but they must not be guided by the appearance of the chil- dren on the previous day. He was glad that they had given a 1 impression. Rel had been made to the gaol-like appearance of the institution at Redruth, but perhaps the visitors who had been there would be surprised to learn that until recently they had a great many escapes from there. Two girls managed I ■■{ over tli" high wall. One fell and broke her ankle, and was secured, but the other gol away, and was not caught for some days. He was not sure that the gaol appearance was an (advantage, because it had not succeeded in retaining the chil- dren. When the girls reformatory was at Edwardstown there were as many escapes as a1 Redruth. The truth of the matter as to the reason of there being fewer escapes from Redruth now than formerly was that the matron and her helpers had succeeded in getting hold of the children's hearts more than before. In regard tO the boys Industrial school and the lads there, they were lade for whom no sort of home could be found, and they stayed there and paid a small rate for the board and lodging. If that were not done the Council would have to pay tor board and lodging outside at a much greater rate, and the present system was bet- ter for the country and better for the boys thai they should re- Hide there. One boy who was there until recently had attained the age "| IK, and he was now oulside paying for his board ami fing at Ihe ordinary rale, and he was doing well. The thing. however, wanted watching, because if it grew too large it would have I become another institution, which WOUld be a failure. Mr. E. W. Hawker (S.A.) pointed out that in Adelaide they i, .id several societies which helped the young people. They had V.u.c.A.. which looked after girls, they had the kady Vic 80 toria Buxton Home, where there was room for a limited number of girls to lodge, and they had also the Girls' Friendly Association,, and at all of those places the girls could get advice. In regard to the boys they had the Boys' Institute, and the Boys' Brigade, which took the poorer boys, and where they could get advice. It would be a great mistake for the State to try to do more than it was doing at present. There was a certain amount of stigma attached to the boys aud girls who were State children. ("No, No.") He had heard it over and over again, and it was a thing they wanted to get rid of. It had been pointed out that one great success was due to the volutary visitors they had. They had visitors all over the State, and he thought it would be a good thing to rather decentralize the work and have in the large towns, such as "Wallaroo and Moonta, Port Pirie, and Jamestown, magistrates to look after the children there. It was no easy thing for parents who had incorrigible children to send them down to Adelaide. They wanted the people themselves to take an interest in the work. It was just like the question of temperance. He did not be- lieve in too much legislation on that, but if the reform came from the people themselves it would have a lasting effect, and the reason they were getting so much temperance throughout the world was because it was growing up among the people themselves. The State Children's Council had been a great success, and his feeling was to get the people to take an interest in the children because the children to-day would be the men and women of the future, and if they could get the people not to look to the State for every- thing, as they were inclined to do, the results would be better than if the State undertook more than it was now doing. Mr. lyongmore (W.A.) said, speaking about escapes, his ex- perience- was that the more they attempted to build walls to keep the children in the more they would try to get away. A boy- looked upon it as something to his credit to get over a big wall, and then if he had the chance to get away the chances were that he would. There were two institutions for girls in Western Aus- tralia, and he did not remember one single case of escape. The girls there were similar to the girls in South Australia, and there were no walls round the places. He had seen a great many reformatories all over the world, and he could not remember any having walls aroung them. Those places must be made in the form of homes, and the girls must have some freedom. Some- times a boy or a girl escaped from those homes, and then for a time all the rest of the children were unsettled, but after a time they settled down again. VOTE OP THANKS. Mr. Cray (S.A.) moved a vote of thanks to the Public Works Department for the use of the room for the Conference to meet- 81 When the need of a room was mentioned to the Secretary of the Department he met him in the matter, and obtained the sanction of the Minister for the room to be granted. The Department had brought the chairs and tables from some distance for the use of the delegates. Carried. The Congress adjourned for luncheon. THE AFTERNOON SESSION. Mr. Gray (S.A.) introdueted Mr. H. G. Maxted, Secretary to the State Children's Relief Board of New South Wales, and In- spector for the Board. The Chairman (Mr. T. Rhodes) in -welcoming Mr. Maxted said he hoped his association with them would be profitable and agree- able. ROMAN CATHOLIC INSTITUTIONS. The Chairman said he had received a telephone message from nis Grace the Archbishop of Adelaide, Dr. O'Reilly, inviting the members of the Conference to visit any of the Catholic institu- tions. There were about sight, and the Archbishop, if his health would permit, would accompany the visitors, or make arrange- ments for them to be received. Miss Spence (S.A.) read the following paper:— The Family Home or the Institution. The subject which has been allotted to me in this Confe- rence—the Natural Family Home lies at the root of all the various departments which the State Children's Council of South Australia bas now under its control, it was the cen- tral idea which Miss C. E. Clark, our honour,.,! pioneer, so courageously advocated, that whal the child thrown on public charity needed most, was a home and a mother. This was the sphere In which body. mind, and affections could be besl developed. The besl substitute for a respectable home with good parents, was not an institution, more or less palatial, witli regulation-' more ,,,- less strict, and officials more or loss wise, but a place in a family with the ordinary duties, the or- dinal- trials, tie- ordinary pleasures of childhood, going 1o school with other children, and to church with u^\*'v parents. Miss Clark convinced some thoughtful people, of whom I am proud to call myself one. thai (his was the r ighi thing to aim at It wav not at tii-t a popular demand. It was ai a time when a creat wave ..: ind common sense was . tin- England for the removal «r children from workh< 82 with their demoralizing influence, into large industrial schools where they could be taught and disciplined till they were old enough to earn their own living. This was so great an im- provement that people asked for no more. South Australia too ought to have such a school. But Miss Clark and her friends believed that to mass together children generally of low physique and intelligence would perpetuate inferiority. The greatest authority I know on this subject, Richard Dug- dale, author of the much quoted book. " The Juke.*' says that "pauperism is more hereditary than crime, for crime denotes energy, which may by sufficient motive be turned into other and better directions, whereas pauperism, at least in old coun- tries, denotes general inefficiency. The building which some of us saw yesterday was planned to accommodate 230 chil- dren, but Miss Clark and her friends went in a deputation, offering to find, homes and to give volunteer supervision. There- quest was considered absurd. As they did not offer to bear any of the cost, they could not be entrusted with any share in the management. One hundred and thirty children went into Magill Industrial School at first, and in two years it was so full that an addition was needed. That was our opportu- nity. We again asked leave to deal with the overflow. The result you see now, not only in Adelaide, South Australia, but in all the States of the Australian Commonwealth, but most clearly in New South Wales and Victoria. Instead of institutions being the normal home of State children from which they may be placed out, the subsidised family home is the normal one, and institutions are needed only where discipline is necessary before the child can be placed out. The smaller the proportion in institutions, the greater is our success. It was the practice of Scotland that showed us an example, but we have improved on Scotland. It was the protest of such people as Miss Dobbs and Miss P. Davenport, still in England, against institutional life that stirred us up, but now English reformers have to point to Australia. What is the position of State children in England. The State Children's Association's manifesto opposes placing children in workhouses. Bai-rack schools, block buildings, village communities, and group cottages homes, were cramp- ing discipline, and class isolation necessarily retard their men- tal, moral, and physical development. The Association recom- mends boarding-out, small certified homes, scattered homes, training ships, and trade training schools, and any other me- thod by which a child can be individually moulded, developed, and controlled. But after nearly 50 years since the report of Mrs. Nassan, sen., exposed the evils of children in work- 83 houses, what progress has been made? Mrs. Samuel Barnett asked, where are the 66,000 children absolutely dependent on the rates ? Are they in somebody's home, sitting by some- body's hearth, finding their way into somebody's heart ? Only between eight and nine thousand have a chance of duim; so in family homes, 22,000 are still in workhouses, or work- ERRATA. Page 82, line 14, from foot, for "Hobbs" read " Oobbe." Page 82, line 13, from foot, tor "still" read "Hill." Page 82, line 9, from foot, comma and small b. Page 82, line 8, from foot, for "were" read "where." Page 82, last line, for " Nassan, sen.," read " Nassan-Senior." Page 83, line 20 from foot, for "Hubert Samwell" read "Herbert Samuel." Page 84, middle line, for "countries" read "cantons." Page 84, two lines lower, for "countries" read "cantons." Page 85, first line, supply "after vacations" "and also." Page 85, line 19, from foot, for "faces" read "frames." Page 87, line 18, from top, for " entice" read " enter as." Page 87, line 23, from foot, " helpless mind " read "helplessness." ■ 88, line 20, from loot, for "Matron told" read "lady visitor asked.'' Page 88, line 19, from foot, for "shoes" read "boots." S8, line 18, from foot, for " she " read " Francis Low." Page 89, line 4, from top, for "hampering" read " pauperising." Page 89, line 14, from foot, for "stray" read "spicy." Page 89, last line, for " institutions" read "intentions," and for " mis" "their." Page 90, line 16, from foot, for "prodigies" read " porteges." Page 90, line 6, from foot, for "Nassan" read "Mason." :*0, line 4, from foot, for "considered" read "our success." Page 91, line 17, from top, for "5s." lead "4s." Page 91, line 20, from top, for '15s." read "3s. 6d." 93, tirst line, for " equamity " read "equanimity." from top, "Brown" read "Browning." . supply after "orphan" "who had God and bis mother." Page 180, line 17, from foot, "child" read "mother." Page 203, line 9, from top, supply "such local" before "Childr thai Instead <>i funds being raised Dy private suusenyuuu, ao by locaJ rating, they came oul of the general revenue, to which every taxpayer musl < ontribute thai the children of the State were a valued national possession in every pari of the Com monwealth. Now thai probably cannol be s.iid <>f such chil- dren anywhere else In the world, [n the greal United States of America there is no American system. These are States : enlightened, and quite near, contiguous even. States In the greatesl backwardness bi penal matters and prisons, and laws relating to children. Bui the juvenile courts have Si il the conscience of America with regard to delinquent children to excellent purpose, and with regard to dependent children there is much said as to the importance of placing- out. as it is called. Up-to-date, however, the practice in Ame- rica, as in Canada, when a dependent child is committed, is to keep it in an institution till someone offers a free home, y get many free homes— more than we could get in Aus- tralia — but two-thirds, if not three-fourths of the children are in State institutions. A recent Conference in Washington has that notable remark in its summarised report that many children would do much better outside to whom no one is willing to give free homes, therefore payment ought to be made, either by private sub- scription or from public money. I know that in a good many i ees private charity has boarded out children for a time, but this is the first mention I have seen in America of what has been the unvarying Australian practice that the State should maintain as well as supervise State children. The supervision is always more thorough when the payment depends on it. In other countries there is a need and a demand for a Chil- dren's Department. Miss Edith Sellars, who wrote in the in such high praise of our South Australian ad- ministration, says that in some Swiss countries, notably in Berne and Zurich, things were excellent, but in some of the poorer countries, children were put up to auction to the lowest bidders, and in others they were quartered for some weeks on on" and then on another, the residents thus saving payment of the poor rate. Schooling in Switzerland is strictly en- forced for years, but there is too little check on work re- quired after school hours. In Zurich £10 12/ a year is paid as subsidy, which in such a cheap country is equal or more to one 5/ a week in Adelaide, and is more liberal than the £6 a year in Leipzig, and the same sum for the orphans in Ireland. Our State Children in South Australia are only bound to have schooling from 6 to 13. but they are most spilar attendants. So long as schooling is enforced subsidy continues. Thirteen is early an age, but it is the limit of compulsory education now for all the children in South Australia. The age in New South Wales is 14, and subsidy is supposed to end at 12. There must be many extensions. I should think. If a child is backward at 13 or small or delicate, the Council extends the time for subsidy and school. And when subsidy ceases wage paying be«-ins. anil is enforced. Probably in the United States of America and Canada the expectation of the services 85 of the lad or girl during long vacations, after schooling is over, are inducements to offer free homes for years. A Cana- dian lady wrote recently to Miss Clark in full sympathy with the idea of hoarding out children, but she asked if it was not very hard for the foster mother to part from her charge when the time for apprenticeship arrived. No doubt it often is hard, but the children can all read aud write, and many letters are interchanged, and the lad or girl has a far more affectionate remembrance of the little cottage, where a natu- ral life was led. than of the most palatial of institutions. The district school, the Sunday school, the church, in which the State child takes an equal place with other boys and .girls, are all centres around which memory clings. A friend of mine who has employed several boys in succession to work with her in her vineyard tells me that all of them have cor- responded with the old home, and loved to talk about it. One . who with two sisters had been in a country home, said that one sister had gone out in service near, and would never think of buying a new dress without Mrs. S's. advice about it. (When possible we board brothers and sisters together). The boy my friend has now considers Bordertown. the hub of the State, and compares other places with it much to their disadvantage. Another feature of the boarding-out system is the kindly interest taken in the children by the voluntary visitors. It th< characteristic report of these ladies which won over public opinion in the early 70's. When they saw dull faces brightened, delicate faces strengthened, and intelligence awa- kened they testified as to what they knew, and they were believed. We have visitors who have been on duty both under the Boarding-out Society (over 13 yearst and under the - te Children's l • i— more than '2-. I may specially two old ladies, still active. One of them, aged 73, not only visits regularly and faithfully all the State chil- dren in her district, beyond the required conditions, but cer- onds with si.\ ervice at a distance, and in con- junction with her SOD keeps in touch with six lads on country Farms. We do not depend entirely upon volunteer visitors, bui they are a valuable adjunct, and in our day of small th thej jalvation. it was they who discovered thai we could ge< good homes and motherly treatment for B a ':. and they would neither be under-fed nor over-worked. The Interest taken in the children by these ladies ftrsl 1m • only the fester mothers, bul the general public »f their value ,\n through these 37 there no t >ng •!• called desl tute or neg- 86 lected. In South Australia we do not even call the old term relief for the young.. They belong to the State, and are prized by the State. There is also in South Australia, as in New South Wales, a lay — an unofficial element in the admi- nistration, which is absent from the department in other States. Twelve unpaid men and women, with president elected from them, are deeply interested in the welfare and the development of our 1,300 State children, and this I hold to be a great good. The expansions of our sphere of action has been mainly due to suggestions from one or more mem- bers of the Council. Even within the last three or four years the appointment of a paid probation officer (we have now two), of a medical woman to give advice and medicine to the babies with licensed foster mothers (not State children), more recently of a dentist to care for the teeth of all our State children — nay, this very Conference itself, are all due to such suggestions, the two last to the youngest member. Reforms and improvement cost money to the Government, and entail more labour to the staff, and are not likely to be suggested by a head of a department. Although Victoria has no lay Council, the department makes more use of the services of lady visitors and ladies' committees than any State in the Commonwealth. These ladies have more responsibilities, for they pay the subsidy. They have formed strong committees all over the State where children are boarded out or at ser- vice. The attitude of the volunteer visitor should not be that of the superior person. She should take some interest in the family, and the affairs of the foster mother, and show sympathy with any difficulty she has with her wards, but she must let it be felt that the State child or children are the particular interest. How much friction she may be able to remove— how many little rifts she may close up by kindly and sensible advice, especially during the first weeks or months of the connection — when the child may be wayward and trying. Whatever tbey may become, children, mostly taken from unfit homes, are not angels when they are first committed to our care, and the good woman finds it hard to bear with dirt and destructiveness and pilfering and lying, but the visitor counsels patience to the foster mother and obedience to the child, and in nine cases out of ten she suc- ceeds. Lying is the only weapon a child has against supe- rior strength and intelligence, and truth can only be deve- loped in an atmosphere of justice and confidence. One great advantage of natural home life for ordinary chilr dren is that thus they meet with the temptations to do w T rong which are absent from institutional life. Obedient to regu- 87 lations. ami submission to authority are all that are needed in a workhouse school or an orphanage. Everything is done with method and enforced strictly. A child in a home may loiter on the way to school, or play truant, and lie to hide it. He may be troublesome at school. He may neglect a little home duty. He may quarrel with other boys, and right. He may be selfish or cruel, and the good foster mother may have some trouble to correct or mitigate these faults. On the other hand, the child may do right through the exercise of his own will — may discharge his duty not only literally, but with hi* whole heart — be may be generous in those small ways that are possible — whereas an institution child has scarcely any chance of doing a kindness at all. Thus in the natural borne, character is best, built up. and the shielding from temptation which is aimed at in the institution, is mis- taken kindness. Mrs. or Miss Frances Low writes in a re- cent 19th Century and After, of her enquiries into 50 or 60 orphanages, into some of which she bad to entice an employe in order to learn anything : that the mosr deplorable feature of most of these is the absolute lack of training for the real work of life. In some there are great staffs of servants to wait on children. In one 20 servants were employed for 130 children, 60 of them girls, ^ome of us recollect that it was the helpless mind of the children in the Adelaide Destitute Asylum that struck Miss A. M. Martin, and made her start Miss Olark on her great work. But the lack of industrial trail. - - as ir is, is not the only lack, or to my mind the - test. In the much admired Foundling Hospital, u strong contrast to Miss Bird's close by. where no servant w < employed ,n all. where the pretty quaint dresses and t 1 e sweet v< I tin- children make people think diem fortu- nate, the ■ !d rules laid down 200 years ago are still strictly followed. The child is cut off absolutely from its mother— DOl a wick- ' weak woman for it is only a first cl I that is eligible. No help is given to the mother, no advice. only ber bo whatever bouse she may seek. This belongs t< i different branch of our work, bul with an income <>r £25,000 a year some assistance beyond ridding hex of an enenmberance, might be given. The infant gets a new aame, and is sent out to nurse till four years old. Ti is n i of these babies at all. Self interest is only ii ■ ' •■ to induce care and kindness, for at tie i nr the child is a* absolutely • d from the foster mo1 from the Datura] parent, n a boy be Is put in the b< department; it a girl, Inb tor the girls, 'lake the girl • • el L6 well fed, well clothed, and as kindly 88 treated as is consistent with discipline. Sue cannot be in- dividualised. All her sixteen years the girl has been ordered, arranged for. thought for. No one expects or wishes her to think for herself in the smallest particular. There, cut off from the outside world, knowing- nothing beyond these great walls, she has a fitting preparation for the life of a nun. But as a preparation for the work-a-day world into which this poor child is launched at 16. She has not a relative in the world. If her mother is pining for her, she cannot recognise her. She has no recollection of her foster mother. She is indentured for five years to a mistress who promises to look after her, and the matron pays occasional visits. But what protection has this ignorant child from the temptations which are in the world. She has never seen a man, except perhaps in the pulpit. There is no ladies committee or a woman, on the board of management of the Foundling Hos- pital. Frances Low says that most of the orphanges insist on severance from parents, and even when this is not enforced, any complaint of a mother is met by a request to remove the child if she is not satisfied. There are insaitutions for girls only, managed by a committee of men. The idea of a girls' institution being managed by men seemed absurd. The com- mittee of men have to depend upon the matron, and a clever matron can easily throw dust in the eyes of the other sex. We have all heard the story of the beautiful array of nicely dressed children who looked very nice, but the matron told them to take of their shoes, and then it was found that none of them had feet to their stockings, only legs. She did not see cruelty or starvation, or shutting up in dark rooms, but she saw great stupidity,, mismanagement, and wastefulness. It is a serious omission in the English Children's Act that no power of Government inspection of charitable institutions containing children is given. The education given in these is not only lacking in the wholesome competition with chil- dren outside, but it is invariably inferior to that given free to the poorest children in England in Board Schools. A great many of the orphanages should be closed, and the funds applied to the boarding-out their inmates in family homes. And to get a child into any such institution is looked on as such a boon that patronage and influence are needed. You may recollect that the great Mr. Dombey's influence was exerted to get the little boy of Toily Toodler, who was nurs- ing little Paul into the Charitable Grindem School, and how, unhappy the little fellow was. To rid a family of poor people of a child appears to prosperous folk boon enough. 89 When I spoke to poor law reformers iu England and America about our South Australian system of helping the widow and deserted wives who have young children with rations, they said out-door relief was always hampering, and that if a woman was left with more children than she could maintain she could put them in an institution. There were plenty of institutions. But that would really cost more than helping the mother to keep them at home. Frances Low gives an instance in point. A healthy woman was left widowed with six beautiful children under eight. Outdoor relief to the value of 8/ a week could be given in Adelaide — not eonugh. I grant. I have been trying hard to have that increased, but hudreds of families are kept together by means relied. In New South Wales. Victoria, and Queensland they could lie boarded out with their own mother, at a some- what lower rate than with strangers. And the family would '. e kept together. What was done in this country place in the South of England? A lady took The two eldest children, twin boys. t<> '>n,. f the big institutions, where intercourse with the mother practically ceases. A third boy was put into .1 similar institution, and six months later ;1 fourth in another home with a capital EL The average expense is £30 a year . and the mother is left with the two youngest. YVhai 3e can be offered tor the breaking up of a respectable family V In the United States of A merit a. where such institutions have a- legion, a wave of common sense has recently come over the ma: _ and the lesson taught by Washing- Aesop in her Modernised and Americanised Fables seems to be taken to heart. I quoted the fable in my little book on state children in Australia, but it is quite good enough )• i (produce here. "A kindhearted she elephant, while walking through the ju - stray breezes blow sofe o'er Ceylon's Isle, heedlessly set foot upon a partridge winch she crus Mi within a few inches of the nest containing low bro '' Poor little thin--." said the generous in. ii: ' mother myself, and my affection for the fatal consequences of my neglect." So I down on the orphaned '»:• - Moral. — The abovi teach - without a mother, also, that it is no1 , >rson who should be entrusted with the care of an orphan asylum. This humorous extravaganza lias its - Le. Prom »£ human compassion hav I the innumerable le institutions for orphans, and more than orphaned id with tic- besl Institutions in the world for m i SO growth and development rules Lave been made and officials set over them to enforce these rules always, and without variation. The children, who are docile, submissive, who gave the least trouble, are favourites of the superintendent and nurses and teachers, and are mentioned with praise to the governing committee. The virtues which are virtues in ordi- nary life, punctuality, obedience, and diligence are matters of routine. All originality and initiative are checked or sat upon by elephantine authority. One of the oldest schools in the United States, the Orphan Asylum of New York, after 98 years experience as an institution, in 1904 broke up its centralised home of 200 children into family groups in build- ings containing from 20 to 25 each, each house complete in itself, with a mother, sometimes a married pair in each. Am- ple funds and ample grounds enabled the committee to do this most handsomely. Excellent education and industrial training, and every provision for health were provided, 'out at what cost ? There were the land and the buildings, but the cost of each child annually was £11 12/. An admirable object lesson, a good way perhaps of spending money left by the ■ dead hand, or of utilizing the land which had increased since its bestowal 20 — 100 per cent. — but not practical politics for Australia. For that annual sum we can place out three chil- dren in Australia, and be at no cost for buildings. Nor are any of these children charity children, but young citizens. The suggestion at the Washington Conference is incalculably more valuable, that children should be boarded-out at public expense if private charity is net equal to the task. It is many years since 1 learned that private benevolent societies in Vic- toria boarded out many of their prodigies, in many cases to these widowed mothers, and we know that Dr. Barnardo made great use of boarding-out both in England and in Canada, as both cheaper and better than institutional life, and he had. both unpaid and paid inspectors to make sure that the foster parents did their duty. There are three main principals :— 1. Find a suitable house and a mother, and have the house certified as pood before child is placed in it. 2. Keep the child in the home, unless it is unsuitable. 3. Maintain thorough but kindly supervision. Boarding-out, says Miss Nassau, the Senior Local Govern- ment Inspector, may be either the best or the worst way or dealing with a child. Considered in Australia is due to our observing these three rules. The splendd health of boarded-out children in Australia is one of the strongest arguments in favour of the system,. 91 Even the wealthy Foundling Hospital fount! it necessary to board our infants till they were four years old, and many institutions are seldom five from epidemic and infectious skin diseases. Our latest visitor, Dr. Maloney, M.L.A., Victoria, declares our South Australian death rate for State children is the lowest on record. A high death-rate is always a sign of a low average of health in those who do not die. The ex- clusion of women from any share in the management of so many English orphanages, even those for girls, savours of the middle ages. In Australia, in each State, the movement for homes was started by women, the volunteer visitors are al- most all women, the Council is in equal proportion of men and women. In the staff women predominate. They are chiefly women who are agitating for reform in the mother country, and it is chiefly male boards of guardians who oppose it. Ac- cording to the valuable Minority Keport of the Poor Law Com- S3k>n, just published, I find that the 8,600 children boarded out m England and "Wales. 6,806 are placed within the Union for sums varying from 1 »; to 5/ a \\eek. and only inspected by (lie relieving officers of the Union, and in many cases without protection of a ladies' committee. In one smaller union :;i children were paid for al rates. 1/6 to 5/ a week. The relieving officer's standard was the condition of children get- \ out-door reliei as a pauper child should not be better off than the child of rue poorest labourer. Where children are boarded outside oi the Union they always have ladies com- mit!. •>. and the Local Government employs three qualified lady inspectors foi 1,800 such children. These are the only children that can be called on a level with State children in Australia. . number does not increase, indeed the class placed "in within the Unions is the only one which increases. .Miss Masi - 3 th< eason why people do not apply tor the children is the rise in the cost of living, but it is quite as much due t.. the closer inspection, and the enforcement of educational conditions. My own opinion is that it is the land- people that makes it s,, much harder to find bomes in Britain than in Germany and Switzerland. The cottages have :e enough Cor one oi two more inmates, and except in the brothers and sisters we in Australia • r to ha ■ ■ in m home, thereby Improving on Scotland, where it is quit< common to put five in a home. Ami in Scot- land there is a pra< tice of placing children with grandparents, and uncle and aunts, at a lower rate, (nit ol 600 placed out third are -mi allotted, in South Australia it is exceptional to board a child with relatives. In Tasmania the latest re- port wae that Instead ol eel Ing new bomes tor the lncr< 92 Dumber of children, the old homes should be filled to their full capacity of four. This, like institutions, saves trouble in inspecting, but Tasmania has always been too backward in dispersing the children. Four or five from one home marks them as State children. Indeed, in England and Scotland they are frankly called paupers, a term we will not use in Aus- tralia. Although there are orphans boarded out in Ireland, there are an enormous number of institutions under religious bodies, and Dublin has the largest mixed workhouse in the United Kingdom, with 4,000 inmates, a great many of them -children, not only of the ins and outs, but permanently there, unless some subsidised institution applies to take them out. The difficulty Miss Mason speaks of could be overcome by giving a higher subsidy. It should not be less than in Aus- tralia, but more, for the cost of living here is less than in any English speaking community for an equal standard, and the rents in country places are higher in proportion to wages than here. An additional shilling a week would bring more appli- cants. But there is another drawback — the slum children have pro- ved so difficult, have such bad habits, and use such vile lan- guage, that the good women return them. We have a few such cases here who need more discipline before they can be sent to a respectable home, which have to go to reformatories. But they are the exceptions who prove the rule that our over- whelming majority of the children destitute, neglected, and delinquent can be sent out into the world to be merged in the industrial population after childhood is passed. Nothing in my whole long life gives me more satisfaction than the work which has been done, which is being done, and which will be done, even better in the future for the children of the State in South Australia. But with regard to our own dear mother- loud, the same means which have been successful with the few may be applied to the many with good results, and it is not only the slum children all over England who are shut up in great district schools and charitable institutions, when they would be healthier, happier, and better prepared for useful and respectable lives if they got natural homes. So far (The Minority Report says) boarding-out has only touched the fringe of the problem in England. It embraces the whole problem in Australia. What we are recently trying to do through probation work is not only to improve the child, but the home, and thus lessen our work by making it unnecessary. The child's own home, if good, is the best of all. and the foster home is only the best substitute when that fails. Yes, I can look forward to the dissolution of the State children's 93 Council with equamity, when society is so educated and so moralised as that there is no need for it. Dean Latham (W.A.) said he was stopping into the breach, to- speak in behalf of the institutions at very short notice, and with- out having had time to put his thotights in order, so he was afraid that he could not do justice to the cause in which he be- lieved. He was glad, however, -to say a few words about institu- tions, and to testify that it was his belief that there was another e to the question which Miss Spence had raised. When he listened to her he began to wonder whether he had been dream- ing for years, because her cry was so hopelessly opposed to any experience he had had, not only in Australia, but elsewhere, and' the horrors of institutional life, so far as his experience went, did not exist, or he had not come across them. He ventured to say that the objections raised were almost a priori in opposition to his perience. They all agreed that the natural home was the par- home, and the parents should do the natural training, but when the natural guardian failed, then the question of providing for the helpless children aros< . There were three distinct ways of d< .din- witli them. Either boarding them out, which was the method in South Australia : or have the children adopted le- I illy by foster parents, so that they became so far as possible in Buch a condition children of the new parent ; or a child could be placed in one kind or another of an institution. To board out under proper conditions in a State where the conditions of society made it desirable and possible was an excellent way to meet the difficulty, and no one who had heard anything about South Aus- tralia would deny that. He had not come to criticise what had od the test of a great many years, and had become a well re- cognised Institute i had done such admirable work, but what he was there u> plead was that there were States where those conditions did not apply, and where boarding out on a large scale would necessarily come t" disaster. The other alternative was Institutions which might he mad- under some conditions ;>s suc- ssful as boarding-out. \\<- wanted to pass one word of crili- m about the boarding-out system, and that was thai it stood fell by Inspection. All the cases they beard about or were ely to hear about at a meeting of that kind, composed of people were enthusiastic, were - 1 eas< They heard Of the i»ut what happened wben the inspection failed. Mr. Smith The child tailed. Dean r^atham Baid lie had known of a case where the Inspe failed rather badly. lie referred t<> it Hi.' ether day. it .■it Bast Perth, it was a case of an Illegitimate child who was put out to nurse, and the parent paid for. The State ector '-vi nt : |y, and the doctor went there with singular 94 regularity, for he was always signing death certificates, and there was fearful cruelty practised in the house, and neither the doctor nor the lady who visited it knew anything about it. There was always the possibility of the lady visitors being hoodwinked, and if the inspection failed crime might result at times. There was another difficulty, and that was the difficulty of the removal of the foster parents. That difficulty was to be found all over Austra- lia, aud more especially in Western Australia. What did the Council in South Australia do when the foster parents removed from one State to another V If they let a child out with a foster parent for a few years, and then the parent moved to another State, and could not afford to take the child, what happened ? That was a puzzle to him. and it was a most important question. He noticed very often that parents who were left unable to main- tain children wdiich had been left with them preferred institu- tions rather than that the child should be boarded out. That was significant. When he had suggested to parents themselves that they should go to another society that adopted the boarding.-out principle they said no, they preferred to place them with him. It might be that in that case they had known his orphanage for years, but he often came across preferences for orphanages rather than that the child should be placed with a foster mother. It might be news to them and might surprise them to learn that one reason why he chiefly valued institutions for orphans and neglec- ted children was that in them they could get better individual care for such children, both body and soul. He had listened with amazement to what Miss Spence said about the beautiful schools where things were done by machinery, because his expe- rience did not correspond with that, and so far as his experience went they got more individual care and more skilful attention paid to each individual child in institutions so long as they were not over-crowded in proportion to the resident staff, than they were likely to get in the home of a foster parent. He did not wish to criticise, but he had not noticed in the Australian home the individual attention given to the individual child that they would wish to find in the natural parent. The complaint was that the child was educated in the street and in the school, and not in the best way — at home. His visiting experience bore that out, and it was one of the great weaknesses, and lie did not see any reason to suppose that foster parents would show any greater care to their charges than the natural parent. In an institution they did get — if they had the right sort of matron, a good skilled woman at the head — they got the utmost individual care. In the simple cases of sore eyes aud bad throats, and the hundred and one little things that both lildren, and might become serious, it was possible for 95 the utmost care to be taken of the child in an institution. In the more sordid matter of the care of the child's head, and looking after the eyes and teeth the child was well attended to in an insti- tution, and when there was any sign of bad eyes the nurses called in an oculist, and a dentist inspected the teeth. Those two things • most hopelessly neglected in childhood in the homes of poor people. There were few who had come to the years of discretion who did not have to wear glasses, and that was because the eyes were neglected in youth. He had often been impressed by the knowledge which his matron and the other members of the staff had of child after child, knowledge of their characteristics, and the difficulties they presented, and the good points of the child • known and were treated individually. Besides that there was the individual care for the religious character of the child. That was part of the work which bore strongly upon the future of the child. In the ordinary home the child was left to the ten- der mercies of the world, without any proper warning as to the ence of moral evil and danger. That was one of the greater - in tli>- Girls' Orphanage. The matron always took upon self the most delicate but necessary task of warning the chil- dren of the great perils that existed in the world, and he was thankful to know that lie could hardly recollect more than or two 3CS of girls who had come to grief, and when one knew ol the things that existed in the great cities and in the backblocks, and what arose because of the criminal carelessness of the pa- rents, that was one instance of the great care taken in a good institution. Besides that there was the corporate discipline of the institution. That could be overdone. If they got an officer who did his work for the pay they ^>>r mechanical discipline. There intelligent discipline where the child was taught by px- cellent discipline how to live in large communities, how to behave properly, and how to behave kindly towards one another, and the DOblesI discipline of all. to live with brothers and sisters. thing could replace that. There was in the institution most careful Industrial training for the future. He had mentioned already that in the girls' orph so far as school work went, the g after passing the third standard attended the state school to their advantage, and although the institution had a number of girls it did not have 20 servants. It had none at all. From their earliest days the -iris were taughl to take their share in the house work, and to be thoroughly cleanly, and when they left school they were taughl to make their own clothes and cook their own I under expert Instruction and they did the laundry work, and so industrial training which enabled them to '40 out Into world and earn -.an d make themselves useful and iii'l pendent. Tin- same thing applied in a differenl way to the boj . 96 orphanage and industrial school, which were situated out in the country. They held a large acerage of laud for the purpose, and the boys were taught to grow mosl of their own food. They managed horses and cattle, and they were taught to plough and do all sorts of things, and when tlxy bad a thorough training they v. ere able to take a place on a farm, and the boys had shown that they were useful, and in time they be< s ood agriculturalists. The value of the institution did not end when the child left it. When the child went out it did not as was often the case "when it went from its own home have to pay 5/ to the home simply be- cause the family needs must he added to, and had nothing left. The institution made inquiries, and it could usually choose because there was a demand for the children which far exceeded the sup- ply. That was the best testimony. They had bad cases, and in one instance they were absolutely taken in. It was not his fault because the man who applied was an officer in the Government service, and he asked the head of the Department about the man who was given an excellent character. He allowed a girl to go t i him, and his wife. It soon appeared from the girfs letters to the matron, because correspondence was maintained, that some- thing was wrong, but they could not find out what was the mat- ter. If the girl had not had a strong protector he did not know what the end would have been. He had to get her away almost by force, because the police were called in. The man was a shocking drunkard, the house was a bad one, and the girl was not looked after- as she should have been. Such cases were rare, hut they showed that managers were fallible. It was only a :-trong protector like a big institution that could rescue the girl. The girl had tried to get away. She had not received wages, and under pressure wrote letters contradicting other statements she had made. He stepped in and gave the girl a fresh start. It was a great protection to the other girls who left them that they had that power in their hands. In addition there was the correspon- dence between the girls and the matron, and with youths who h td been in the institution. It was part of the regulations, and part' of the State regulations that part of the wages should be paid to the child, and part to the institution, to save for them, so that he had known cases where, when the lads had come of age they had £100 to give them a start on their own in the world. In every way they were watched over and guarded and protected from un- scrupulous persons and from their own weaknesses before they had experience, and the young people always had a home to return 1o, and to which they gladly came back. Miss Spence had refer- red to English experience, but there his experience differed from hers, and his observations did not agree with hers. They were looking r.i different sides of the shield. It was interesting to note 97 too, so many great societies pinned their faith to institutions. They had the Waifs and Strays Institution, the National Orphan- ages, founded by the Shaftesbury Committee, doing its work in the institutions, and Dr. Barnardo's Homes, which included the institutional as well as the other principle. The institutional had a strong hold on English people, and he was not prepared to sub- scribe to the idea that England was a back member. There was a fair amount of common sense jn England, and he thought it was hardly fair to condemn all the schools and term them barrack schools, because those schools had ceased to exist. .Miss Spence — The big industrial school in Sussex is a barrack school. Dean Latham— It was too large. Miss Spence — What is the size of your institutions ? Dean Latham— About 100 each. Miss Spence— And the Roman Catholic ? Dean Latham said it was about the same. He agreed that 1,800 children was too large. He had had the pleasure of going through a poor law s.-iiool in the East of London, where there was an enormous number of children, and if one was accustomed to boys one could see with his eyes the good that was being done. The barrack school was dead, or dying, but he knew that some board of guardians, which included ladies, preferred them. He knew there were other children besides destitute children that must go to institutions. There were vicious and defective chil- dren, who must go to institutions, so that to some extent they were all in favour of institutions. BfiSS Siience — For special cases. Dean Latham said institutions were necessary for the blind and deal', and (he mentally defective, and the thing could not be BO i \ (inordinary useful in one case and still as black as midnight the instant the child became sound in mind and body. The Con- Cerence mnsl be careful to emphasise the point that the whole work depended more on the personality than the system. 1'nder one person it was all right, and under another it was hell for the child. If an Institution gol a bad man it was a bad system, but witli a good one d was all right Whether it was an institutional or a boarding-out Rystem, what they had to look for was the right kind of persons to whom they COUld entrust the young lives, and it they found them it did oot matter much which of the two s\ stems they had. GROWTH OP Tin: BOARDING-OUT SYSTEM IX N.S.W. Mr. II. <;. Maxted (N.S.W.) Before reading my pap.', there is oik- point I would like to mention, it seems to me that Dean Latham did do1 deal with the iii. mi p. urns raised by Miss Spence, 98 who deprecated institutions dealing with large numbers of chil- dren. The Dean dealt with small institutions. The objection to institutions is their dealing with large numbers, and the Dean did not touch upon that point, he dealt with small institutions, and giving individual attention to small numbers, and that is based on the same principle as boarding-out. The paper I propose to read is supplementary to Miss Spence's. It is on the growth of the Boarding-out system in New South Wales. "It is now 27 years since the Government of New South Wales formally adopted the system of boarding-out in relation to the dependent children of the community. In 1881 the State Children's Relief Act was passed, and since that year it has been the policy of the State, through its Relief Board, to place dependent children with private families in preference to— and indeed in substitution of — the practice of herding them together in large institutions. The policy of boarding-out was not adopted blindly in New South Wales. That State, in common with other States and other countries, had first of all made provision for its desti- tute children in large institutions. In the year 1866 the Government had completed a comprehensive system of " bar- racking " the children in institutions. Roman Catholics and Protestant orphan schools made full provision for boys and girls, and these schools continued to hold large numbers of children until the passing of the State Children's Relief Act, in 1881, when the State Children Relief Board, established thereunder, was vested with powers to remove all healthy children from institutions and board them out with private families, and to place sick and delicate children in cottage homes for special treatment, until such time as they too could be similarly dealt with. This State Children Relief Act was the first measure intro- duced to trust dependent children under normal conditions, namely as members of separate families. Since that Act, other measures have become law, all of them having as their primary object that of dealing with a child, as far as pos- sible, as a distinct unit in the community, and not as one of a class to be stereotyped and hall-marked with an institution brand. The principles of boarding-out in New South Wales were practised on a limited scale by an independent body of ladies, for a number of years prior to the passing of the Board- ing-out Act. and when that measure gave effect to the prin- ciples which this honorary body of ladies was practising with great success, it also incorporated many of them into the Ex- ecutive Board, which were given the legal administration of 99 the new work. It is worthy of special mention that, al- though the State Children Relief Board, since its inception, has had many changes in its personnel, one member stands out conspicuously still— Mrs. M. Isham Garran. She was iden- tified with the work of boarding-out before that principle was formally recognised by law, was one of the most indefati. gable workers and fighters for the success of the honorary work of the independent ladies' committee, was a member of the original Board, and has right up to the present day, by her experience, insight, and intense love of children, been instrumental in attaining for the boarding-out policy a large measure of success, which has admittedly attended its adop- tion in New South Wales. Thus our State, too, owes, as South Australia, much of the pioneering work to this important movement to the women of the State, and two names whick most stand out in the Australian history of this movement— the two pioneers of the work, and at the present day. consis- tent and indifatigable workers still, are those of Miss Spence and Mrs. Garran. There are other well-known names of workers associated with this great work, but no slight to their labours will be held, no cavilling will be occasioned if we place at the head of the list of women-workers for the board- ing-out system, the nanus of Miss Spence and .Mrs. Garran. In 1SS1. when the State Children Relief Act became law. there were in New South Wales 1,406 children, wards of the State, provided for in institutions. A systematic effort was at once begun to employ these, and by 1887, they (or rather the greater portion of them) had been closed. Those that were si ill op. -rating as private philanthropic and sectarian in- stitutions continued to do so. but the State no longer recog- nised their policy of ••boarding." or co-operated with their efforts, as heretofore. The functions of institutions became limited and confined to special purposes other than those of dealing with dependent children. Institution treatment for a child is now COnfiend in New South Wales to cases which experience lias shown cannot be dealt with in any other way. If a child, or delinquent, can possibly be boarded out, that course is adopted. And experience has indicated beyond all doubt that the greater the extent to which the boarding-OUl tem can be applied, the greater are the physical and mora] benefits t<> the children, the greater the economic advantage to the Stal Hi- nol Intended here to cite the arguments for and against institutions, or to emphasise the broad, chris- tian sociological bodies on which the principle l} f boarding out These points have been fully reviewed in pipers by President of the state children's Council Board, ami will 100 be read to the Conference, it might, however, be in place to assert that while it is recognised that institutions must always exist, they do so for a special purpose, hut that special purpose must never be allowed to abrogate fundamental principles of christian and social life, such for instance as the development of the individual, whether he is a ward of the State or not. in his normal environment as a member of a family. Deten- tion in an institution implies that those detained there cannot, in the interests of the community, and in their own interests, be permitted to become a member of a family. And to that extent it is obvious that life in an institution is necessary and legitimate. But it is equally obvions that such a standpoint is an exceptional one, and one that should not become the basis of a policy of dealing with children who are merely destitute or wayward. One or two instances may be taken to emphasise the value of boarding-out. Boarding-out in New South Wales has been attended with marked success. There is, of course, a percentage of failures, but it is very small. Where the two main conditions which govern boarding-out, namely, careful selection of private homes and wise supervision and inspection are complied with, there is a minimum of damage to the children placed out. Occasionally children are placed out who are unsuitable for boarding-out, and whose proper place is within an institution for a time at anyrate, but the number of failures is, as before stated, small, though the proportion is apt to become exag- gerated in the public mind because the failures are being con- tinually heard of. The successes are never heard of, so far as complaints concerning them, and so very often are not heard of at all. They serve their periods of boarding-out, and subsequently, of apprenticeship, have a good record, and' pass from the books. And these, both boys and girls, repre- sent by far the larger majority of boarded-out children. In regard to the State of New South Wales at least, it can be asserted faithfully, that State children are as a rule obedient and well conducted in every way when boarded-out. Com- plaints as to their illtreatment are rare, and frequently when such complaints are made, are done so without knowledge of the circumstances, and are without real foundation. Their homes are good. There is practically an unlimited number Of applications for boarded-out children, and these applica- tions increase from year to year. Tins in itself is a conclu- sive argument, both as to the system and the class of children placed out. So that in New South Wales bonrding-out. since L881, has been the accepted policy of dealing with depen- dent children of the State. There are now some 4,000 children 101 placed out in private homes. This principle of boarding-out is now recognised in regard to different classes of the com- munity, and has several forms. — 1. The boarding-out of children with persons other than re- lations. These are paid for at rates varying from 5/ to 10/ per week, according to the age and physical condition of the children. There are some 4.000 placed out in this way. 2. The boarding-out of children with their own mothers when the latter are widows or deserted wives. " Deserted wives" are construed by the Board to be wives who are ipso facto deserted, or whose husbands are in gaol, in a hospital for insane, in a general hospital, or in a Government asylum for the infirm and destitute. The mothers are paid by the Board varying rates towards the support of their children under 12. It is intended that the allowances given to the mothers shall be "assisting" and not "maintenance** allow- ances, the object being to induce the mothers to assist as much as possible, by their own efforts, in the maintenance of their children. Elates for such child are paid varying from 2/ to 5/ per week, the maximum amount being fixed fOr any one family at tl per week, though the Board has power to in- crease that amount under special circumstances. 3. Another form of boarding-out is that in which the Chil- dren's Protection Act provides for mothers to place their chil- dren, generally infants, with foster mothers. These children are supervised by the chief officer (who is the Boarding-out Officer), and he has power to direct the mother to remove the child from an unsuitable home, or he can himself transfer the child. There are some hundreds of children thus placed out by their mothers with foster parents. The experience of New South Wales iii regard to such homes is that the foster homes are well-meaning, but ignoranl women, and the mothers (who are often single women) place their infants out instead of themselves •> them. Hence the State children Relief Board lias lately adopted. 1. The practice of boarding-out mothers and infants In ;" private home, the object being to induce the mothers to nurse their children under conditions of privacy. There are two such homes in New South Wales. A trained nurse is iii charge of each, and a limited number of mothers and infants are admitted to each. .".. Since L905 the principle of boarding-out has been in- actively applied i" delinquents and to neglected and uncon troHable children, it is the practice, after children have ap peared before the Children's Courts, and sent to institutions, to liberate them on probation, after short periods of detention, 102 to their own homes, or board them with private families if their own home surroundings are unsuitable. The institution to which recourse is had to a large extent is the Farm Home, at Mittagong, established some three years ago under the Neglected Children and Juvenile Offenders' Act, the measure which also established Children's Courts in New South Wales. Experience has shown that the waywardness of the children or parental neglect (rather than inherent vicious propensities in the children) are responsible for their lapses, and that when they have had a few months' disciplining in the Farm Home, they can be released to their own homes or to private homes. Some hundreds of cases have passed through the Farm Home in three years, and the Probation of relapsed cases is very small. Thus it will be seen that New South Wales has adopted (altogether in theory, and to a continuously increasing extent in practice), the principle of boarding-out, either directly or indirectly, to deal with both dependent and delinquent chil- dren. The number of children committed to reformatory and industrial institutions is gradually decreasing, while the supervision in private homes of the State's wards is becoming of greater and greater extent. And it does not seem to be inconsistent with fact if the prophecy is made that in a few years the recognition of institutions as places for the perma- nent training of dependent and delinquent children will have ceased, and instead, that it will be universally received that the proper place for a child, as a child, is with parents or foster parents, and only when experience has shown that he cannot be so placed shall institutions be resorted to. The question of keeping families together is one of the difficulties which one has to face, and in my opinion there is no possibility in keeping families together in the institutions. A family is admitted to control consisting of two boys and two girls : how then are these children to be kept together in an institution. It is simply impossible, but under the board- ing-out it is quite possible, and quite the usual thing for the families to be kept together. In New South Wales the pay- ment of mothers for the maintenance of her own children has greatly solved this problem, inasmuch as there are very few families now coming under control. To my mind there can be no doubt that there is no comparison between this institu- tions and boarding-out in this respect. Another phase of the boarding-out is the keeping the mother with her infant together. In New South Wales homes have been started to place girls and their infants, so as to give the mother and baby a chance. We find that by doing this 103 we give the infant a better start in life, and the mortality of infants under this system is certainly less than in homes, where the child is separated from their mothers. There are many mothers who, at first unwilling to enter these homes, after they have been there a few days, settle down and be- come, in many instances, most careful and considerate mo- thers, and become much more amenable to discipline. This system of keeping the mothers and child together, to my mind, could not be dealt with by large institutions as it is done by the boarding-out. There is a question which crops up with regard to placing children in institutions, and a case which came under my own notice. There were two boys, one 13 and the other 15. and they were morally bad. and they were a source of contamina- tion to the boys and girls in the district. They were placed in an institution dealing with hundreds of other children. In three weeks time a boy of 11 years, who was not inherently bad. was placed in the same institution. No system should allow the risk of an innocent child being placed in an insti- tution for ,i term of years in company with, bad boys. Any tern of treatment of children is necessarily bad, because on a normal condition of things, which is opposed the christian principle of dealing with the children in mily groups. That is the basis of civilization, and a strong argumenl against institutions. There is one survi- . industrial school in New South "Wales. It is the Sobruan training ship. There is also the question of industrial schools for girls. Girls' natures are quite distinct from boys'. One motional, and the other mental, and if you place girls in industrial schools you must be careful that their surround- ings are suitable, and it is often impossible in industrial schools for girls to separate the criminal and the vicious, and the immoral. rii.it has been the experience in New South Wales. The difficulty will never occur in the boarding-out tern, but it is Insuperable for institutions, because you can never gel thorough classification. Dean Latham dealt with the question ol -mall numbers in institutions rather than the question of hundreds. So far as i,, spoke to-day in favour • it" institutions I agree with him, because I consider his princi- ple ' f dealing with institutions is an inseparable part of boarding ou1 83 3tem." a Latham said he was entirely in favour of small institu- . gable numl ■ Where the numbers were not the child llld be deall with individually. That was olicy of ail the English Institutions, and the latesl figures showed thai tb< ng up the barrack schools, and with 104 tlu> Society for Waifs and Strays and the National Refuges the policy was to have a number of scattered homes of a manageable size. In fact he might be described as advocating a policy of boarding-out in institutions. He would like to ask a question in return., The last speaker had alluded to the question of vicious girls. Did he suggest that they should be boarded out ? Mr. Maxted — No. Dean Latham said his remedy for them was to hand them over to the institutions. The Salvation Army took care of a large number of those girls. One great need was a private school to deal with them, because they could only be dealt with by insti- tutions. The last speaker seemed to go against that, and he said there was a danger of the vicious and immoral boys doing harm in an institution, but his experience was that they did equal harm in the large public schools. That was an argument of almost living as hermits. .Mr. Gray (S.A.) said the Dean in asking about the question of foster parents for removing from one State to another had placed his finger on a weak spot. At present there was no other plan than to remove the child, or to allow it to go with the foster pa- rent to the other State, when it passed beyond the supervision of the Council. One of the things he hoped the Conference would take into consideration was the transfer of a child from one authority, in one State, to another authority, in another State. Dean Latham (W.A.) supposed that in regard to that question the various State Governments would have to co-operate. .Miss Spence iS.A.i said the Dean had put his finger on another point, and that was that better industrial training could be given in a small institution than in a foster home. That was a matter that had exercised the South Australian Council very much, be- cause in the little foster homes there was no opportunity for train- ing. There were a great many little things which the child did which were valuable, but the Council was unwilling to create another department, because it knew they were ei>stly. The Coun- cil had not asked the Government to give it the training school, but the Council tried to get the employer who took the child to understand that they ought to co-operate with the Council, and should give the child some training, some encouragement, and bear with the weak points in order to help in the great work of bring- ing up these children. As a rule the children were responsive, and the employers had responded to the wish of the Council, but the South Australian children, when they were placed out at 13 were not so well qualified to get good wages as a Western Aus- tralian child when it was placed out at 16. That was an enor- mous handicap. The cost of keeping children in an institution must be greater than in foster homes, and the remedy they had 105 vras the co-operation of tlie employer. As there were twice as many applications for the girls as they could supply they had it in their power to choose the better homes. The Dean said that children • not well 1 nought up in private homes, and especially not in es, but the Council did not send their children to poor homes. The girls were sent to certificated homes, and the home 3 Jndg I before the child was placed there, and the home was watched. There were superior homes to send the child to. and 1 been a great precaution, and she thought her friends from the other Si ites would say that that established the good of Tb.- foster mother. Mr. Smith (V.) said there was one matter he desired to men- tion, and that was in regard to the school age. The age was rat on the report from the teacher that the child was back- ward it was extended for another year, and the foster mother was .} the usual allowance for the extra time. Mr. Green fN.S.W.) said in New South Wales they had the •r to apprentice at 1— but that power was seldom used. Ir « terally extended until 11 years, and the foster parent was jvijtl until then. The Dean had pointed out thai boarding-out ■n inspection. He admitted that that was a fact. They must have inspection to know what was going on in the homes, bul they also wanted inspection of institutions as well. tody visitors were responsible for their own area in New ij Wales, ami they had to supervise small districts, generally •within an easy distance of their own homes. It stood to reason it those persons did their duty, and he thought they did it, all the knowledge thai was necessary he found it to be so nfier 27 years experiei - gained by the lady visitor. Neigh- ame to tell them if there was anything wrong with the child. Then again when the child went to school the sen reported every quarter. That was independent of the official staff, because they bad an inspector who visited the homes rnlarly. They were supposed to visit once a quarter, and they any visits as they could. They looked upon inspection . eat fad r in boarding-out, and they always endeavoured the besl of local Inspect Then again they had the police, who if they heard of anything immediately reported it to Department so thai they wen. safe-guarded in regard to ln- ti Latham had quoted a case of ill-usage that had nrred In Western Australia under the boardlng-oul system o it he had been in Australia in the old times he would have heard of a greal many rases of cruelty in large Institutions had had an institution where there were 800 children mar- ahalled like machines, who were dealt with like so many par' n machine, and were uol dealt with like children al all, and If 106 they had gone into institutions they would remember the sad looks of the children, and the want ot' individual care which the Dean said they got at present. If they got a motherly matron with a hundred children, how could she spread her arms over them V One hundred children were too many for any one woman to mother, and it was the best mother for the children they wan- ted. They might have good persons as matrons, and many of them were, but if they went into the work to earn a living and did not go in to it for the love of the work's sake, it was no use. How could they commend an institution for bringing up children ? The Dean talked about 100 children, but no institute with more than 20 children was worth thinking about, and that number was ample. In New South Wales they had the cottage plan, with a man and wife to take charge, and they tried to limit the number to 16, but they sometimes had to go to 20. They could not expect a man and his wife to look after more than 20. Those cottages were for special purposes for weakminded and affected children, and those requiring a change in the country. He did not believe in institutions, and he did not believe in weaning the mother from the children. The Department he represented felt that to do away with the institution was a right and proper thine: to do in Australia. What they did in the mother country they had noth- ing to do with. He had not been to England, and did not know the conditions there, but he did know that in Australia the posi- tion was so easy. There Avere so many good homes available for boarding-out that there was no need for the institution. In New South Wales they could board out twice as many as they were boarding out, and they were good mothers. The Depart- ment had at least 8,000 or 9,000 children under control, and if they could find homes for them — he would like the Dean to make it his business to go to New South Wales — he thought they had done away with the idea of institutions. If the Dean went to New South Wales and saw the children in the homes, and saw the foster mothers, and saw the immense amount of real feeling there was between the mother and child, he would be surprised. He could give the case of a boy who had reached the age of 10. The foster parents had been farmers in the South, and on account of !!:'• drought they had to shift to Queensland, and their only trouble was that they would have to leave the boy behind. He happened to have a mother, and the Department could not let him go out of the State without her permission, and the Department had to get the permission of the mother to allow the boy to go. The difficulty in New South Wales of people removing to another State was not so great as in Western Australia. The population was more settled than in the other States, but they had had difficulty with people moving, and Mr. Smith and Mr. Gray would tell them 107 that they had been asked by New South Wales to undertake the supervision of boys who had gone from the State, and they had done so. With regard to the subsidy, that would have to be arranged, but there need be no difficulty about it. They could pay the subsidy in one State and the officer in another could super- tise the child. There was no insuperable difficulty about it. The Dean said that parents liked their children to go to institutions. Of course they did, because it was easy for them to go and see their children at any time, but when the children were placed out in different parts it was difficult for the parents to see them, and the parents were afraid that with boarding-out the child might become fond of the foster mother, but that only proved that' boarding-out was a good system. The mother who could keep her child was allowed to keep it in New South Wales, but if the mother was not fit to keep it the child was taken away. If the mother kept the child she was paid the subsidy. The only rea- son she liked the machine was because she thought is was nice to lie brought up like a machine. Dean Latham— What about widowers ? Mr. Green said the Department took the child away, but plated it where the father could see it. There was no difficulty about boarding-out. and he did not care what case they brought, he could place the child in proper environments. He had spoken about individual can . and he did not think it was possible for any one to give individual care to 100 children. With regard to medical inspection, it was the easiest thing in the world. If the child was ill the woman only had to call in the nearest doctor and' t f . Department paid the hill. She had the responsibility, and the itiii. hi footed the bill. So far as the Government medical officers were concerned they were always at the beck and call of the visiting officer if the home was not satisfactory. How could Hi' ■ t< of the child lie built up when it did not mix with the world ? its only world was the institution, but with the boarding-OUl system the child went to the same public school, and the same Sunday scl l as the other children. lie remem- ! in the old times seeing the Randwick children marched to church dressed u — uniform, the same hats, and well, wit it line pray. They c.,uld not tell him that that was not par* of a machine, "r tell him that the boarding-out system where there was no uniformity was not better. He could not conceive any person comparing ti e two systems. With refer. to discipline, robbing Bhoulders with the world was the besl dis- They had to learn to bear am] foil. ear. and surely that better broughl out by the disciplining them in the outer world than in the b i Id of an Institution. Me could not conceive that tb< ew anything about the outer world if they 108 Lad been brought up in an institution. Institutions of 100 were not so difficult to deal with, but as Western Australia became more populated what were they going to do ? Establish a number of small institutions ? If so the cost would be enormous. In New South Wales the average cost for about 8,000 children was about £10. That was for everything, but if they had institutions it would be more like £20 than £10. Dean Latham — The State allowance is 1/ per day. Mr. Green pointed out that that was about £20 per year. If they placed the 8,000 children they had in New South Wales in institutions they would have to spend two or three times as much as they did now. and from the woman's point of view boarding- out was better than the institution. Ira regard to feeble-minded and sick children they were the only cases for which there was need for an institution, and those institutions in which those chil- dren were placed should not have more than 12. and in the case of children Avho were sick temporarily, and the mother could look after them, there should not be more than 20. The Dean spoke about matrons. He had had a long experience in selecting offi- cers, and he thought all those who selected officers would at times be taken in. They thought they had the right person, and they found a round peg in a square hole. That was one of the diffi- culties, but they could not tell until they' had the person in the institution. The difficulty was first of all that in boardiag-out they must have real earnest inspection. In regard to mothering the child, he said that one woman could mother only three or four children. She might take charge of IB with her husband, but the rule was to give them only three or four. Then in the ease of a family, if there were two boys and two girls they would be separated in an institution, but he never separated fami- lies, and if there were ten they were put in the one home, and surely that was one thing to commend the boarding-out, and boarding-out was the best system to bring up children. Mr. Mat-Master (T.) said that in Tasmania, owing to the limi- ted population they had no large institutions. Twenty to perhai>s 50 were the largest. The Boys' Home was perhaps as ideal a home as they had. Through private benefaction 20 boys enjoyed a beautiful home. The man and woman in charge took the warmest interest in them. When he was there a few weeks ago the matron asked him if he did not think it was incomparably before boarding-out. She said the boys could be better dealt with, there was every attention to sanitary detail, and they were properly schooled and trained for their future life. She asked how could a foster mother give those advantages to the children, no matter how anxious she might be to do so. There was obvi- ously a good deal in that, and he referred the point to Mr. Seager, 109 who replied that what the matron had been telling him was the real condemnation of the institutional system. The boys were admirably prepared to do certain things, but not for the battle of life. Johnny found his breakfast always provided, that the lit'll rang at regular times for meals, and nothing interfered with them. Johnny never heard anything about the high price or the scarcity of butter, or anything else. If the boy was boarded out he found out that breakfast was not the most important thing in the day. If the fowls were picking at the cabbages or some- thing else happened Johnny had to leave his breakfast as other children would have to do. It was the institutional life in itself which was undesirable. While he was in favour of the boarding- out system there was a little danger in one or two of the States. They had been so fortunate that they were apt to attach too much 10 the system. His experience of life had taught him iIk i it was the men and women who mattered. From facts that had come under his own observation in Australia, he knew that where they had not the right man and woman the boarding-out system might he a ghastly failure. .Miss Spence had referred to the Hoards of Guardians in England. lie did not like them. but he would not change unless he had a number of ladies cla- mouring for it. and among them Indies with the qualities which Miss Spence and others had displayed iii Australia. When a ; eeting was held because someone had read something the usual process was for a committee to he formed. Someone looked around, and his eye fell upon someone whose husband was a poli- tician, or a successful man in business, and she was proposed because of her standing. Given the social and intellectual quali- ii was far better thai the ladies interest, d in thai matter should he possessed of the leisure and a certain amount of wealth. Bui where the movement was not the natural growth, the danger was thai people not fitted for the work undertook it. He was i:i the Office of a high official once, .and heard snatches of conversation through the telephone. He smiled as he put the receiver on, and in reply to a question said a lady was ringing "p thai she had i" g •■' visit of inspection in connection with certain work, and she was asking what she had to do. lie said to the official: "Surely you can gel someone who can improve on that," hut be shook his head, and said : •'Surely you Cat I all your Minister's wife over the coals." Thai was the danger, to succeed the people must throw their heart and soul Into the work. Mr. Ferguson (Q.) congratulated Mis- Spence on her , • .1 paper. He was much concerned aboul his own p h - 1 stood alone, and bad no council of ladies' commit! e. uiv dealt with destitute children, and no1 with those senl to 110 reformatories or industrial schools. The Act under which he was working- was 30 years old, and he had come to the Congress to gain as much information as possible, to try and get a new Bill. He did not think the Government would loose by his com- ing. In the Act of 30 years ago provision was made for the in- mates of orphanages to be boarded out with trustworthy and re- sponsible persons. In 1893 they abolished the Protestant orpha- nage and boarded out the children. In Queensland they had Children boarded out in large institutions, both Protestant and Roman Catholic. In Brisbane they had the Diamentina orpha- nage. The whole of those inmates were boarded out. and they had boarded out in Queensland 378 children, with foster mothers, and 614 with their own mothers. All the Roman Catholic chil- dren were kept in their own institutions. The governing body of that church seemed to prefer institutions, and the Govern- ment had not made it compulsory to have them boarded out. In Townsville there was an institution containing about 120 chil- dren. The information of the Department was that they had a difficulty in finding trustworthy and suitable people to take charge of the children in North Queensland, and so they had le- tained the old barrack system in that town. With regard to the question raised by Dean Latham of parents removing from the State, they did not have much of it. If a foster mother wanted to move away they would not let her take the child with her. Those children belonged to the State, and they would not allow any other State to gain that big asset. They had no difficulty in getting foster mothers in the more thickly populated districts. They did not allow more than four children in one home. He had not heard anything about infants from three or four weeks old up to two years. They used to have them all in one home, and •the death-rate was up to 30.76 per cent. When they abolished the home as an institution and established it on different lines, the death-rate among infants went down to 4.16. Wheu epidemics started in an institution there was trouble. The question was raised as to the attention given to the children by foster parents as compared with their own mothers. Their experience was that with the children boarded out with their own mothers the results were not so good as with the foster mothers. It did not seem natural, but the mother was not always a fit and proper person to take charge of her child. As to visiting, they did not allow any parent to visit her own child boarded with a foster mother without a written order, and in a number of cases they point blank refused the parent to see the child under any condition whatever. They had done that repeatedly, because they found that wheu rltey allowed it the mother stirred up the child to cause strife. The child would not then obey the foster mother, Ill and the mother was not a suitable person to take that child whtn the time came for discharge. It did not seem fight, but they had to do it. A child was put under State control before the Department had anything to do with it. At the age of 12 the boys went into service, although the compulsory age for at- tendant- school under the Education Act was higher than 12, and no boy under the Shops and Factories Act was allowed to go to work under 14 years. Still, under the Orphanage Act They must go out at 12. They had a training home for girls. and they found that it cost them about £18 a year for each one, whereas the foster mothers trained and fitted them for the help they got, and they found that better than going to the institution. At 17 years the boys were discharged from the State control, and at 18 they discharged the girls, but no doubt a great affection grew up between the p ; rls and the foster mothers, or their em- ployers. He had had a rase tiie other day where both the em- ployer and the State girl wept because they had to part. That, of course, was an exceptional case. All children boarded out were hired out and subject to lady inspectors. They had vis inspectors who a ported half-yearly. They also got reports from State school head teachers, and when they sent a child out they notified the lady visitor and the head teacher in the district. Tiny were only a young State, and they had had boarding-out since 1893. They had over 2,200 children under State control, and they had ■ ime to the ((inclusion from the reports of the head teachers and the visiting inspectors that the boarding-out system had proved satisfactory, and there was no fear of their going back to the institutions so far as the Protestant children were - id. Mr. << le 'S.A.i had had a little experience in that mattei He knew a good deal of Dr. Barnardo's Home, and the celebra- te (I Bristol orphanage. He was satisfied that the system of boarding-out was better than the systems in those institutions. Dr. Barnardo Raw the wisdom of hoarding out in later years. Institution children were not so well fitted for the battle of life as thost living in their own homes. I>r. Barnardo established a home for infants, but owing to the liability to the introduction the children had to be dispersed and I Into other Institutions. He was proud to acknowledge himself jciple of M - II" had something to do with the quest 'ore he worked with her. About -'< <>r 30 years ago he v Uoyal Commission which had to look into those In ii Commission was presided over by the pre- sent Chief . of South Australia (Sir Samuel Way). Those who km - el 1 new what Infinite capacity he had foi taking pain-, and they went thoroughly Into the matter, m took 112 them 2\ years, and they decided thai they must do all they could: to place children in homes, and that had been carried out. "WJttr regard t<> the girls they believed in keeping them until they were 17, and if they thought it undesirable to let her go at that age they could extend her probation year by year until she was 2£. Under that Royal Commission they established the State Chil- dren's Council, and they took care to dissociate it from the pauper system. They would not bring it in connection with the Desti- tute Asylum, so that the children should not have the pauper- taint on them. One thing Miss Spence did was to secure Chil- dren's Courts. When young children were taken to the police cells and police courts they were familiarize'd with crime. Mr, Daved Murray and himself were anxious to separate children from those associations, and one day he had a long talk with the Attorney-General on the subject. The Attorney-General said there was no reason why those cases should not lie taken at The State Childern's Office, and almost immediately after that xh^y got an order stating that no children were to be brought up at the Police Court, but at the State Children's Department. That had been done ever sin<-e. The S.M. could deal with those cases by himself, or two justices could deal with them. When he was in England he was enabled through the good offices of Miss Davenport Hill to attend a meeting at Hereford Palace, pre- sided over by the Bishop of Hereford, to deal with noorhouse chil- dren in England. They talked there about wanting to do some- thing that was already working in Australia. There were 22.000 school children in workhouses in England, and about 30,000 in institutions. These poor children were being dragged up, and he hoped the British conscience would soon "be aroused to a better system. The Kelso system in Canada was an economical system, and 3,000 children did not cost them so much as 1,500 in Aus- tralia. The reason was that they got them adopted in Canada. The people there were ready to take them for their services. By taking a child of six or seven years they could keep it and have the advantage in later years. From what he had seen he would be exceedingly sorry if the boarding-out system was not adopTed throughout the length and breadth of Australia. On the motion of Mr. Gray, seconded by Mr. Smith, the de- bate was adjourned until next day. THE HON. THOMAS PRICE. Mr. Gray (S.A.) said there was one matter he wished to bring forward. The Premier of South Australia (Hon. T. Price) was formerly a member of the State Children's Council, and he at present was lying on a sick bed. He desired Congress to pass the following resolution : — 113 "To the Hon. T. Price (Premier of South Australia)— T] is Congress remembers with pleasure and gratitude your ser- vices on the State Children's Council during past years, and regrets exceedingly the present unsatisfactory condition of your health. We feel assured that had you been physically able you would have been present at these meetings. The Congress assures you of its respectful sympathy, and prays that you may be restored to health and your wonted useful- ness." Mr. Goode (S.A.), as an old colleague of Mr. Price, seconded the motion. Mrs. Williams (Q.), as a visitor from another State, and as one who had some knowledge of Mr. Price, wished to support the motion. Carried unanimously. The Congress adjourned until nexl day. Third Day, Thursday, May 20th. The Congress assembled at in a.m. The Chairman (Mr. T. Rhodes) presided. The Chairman invited members to spend a social hour with him at BricknelPs Cafe, on Friday afternoon, at 4 o'clock. .Miss Spence said the members would appreciate the opportu- nity of becoming better acquainted than was possible in th< for- mal meetings al the C - ss, and they thanked their Chairman. The Chairman reminded members that Archbishop O'Reily bud fa lephoned that he would be pleased if any members of the Congress would visit any of the institutions in the city or suburbs in the care of the Catholic Church. He would endeavour to go wilh them, and in any case would be pleased to arrange a visit. The Secretary to tin Boys 1 Brigade hail written inviting members to the rooms in Bentham Streel on Thursday and Friday even- iBgB. Tin: BOARDING OUT SYSTEM. Adjourned debate from Wednesday, Mr. Gray fS.A.) said lie had no intention of speaking on I ■ BUbji Then- w;i-, ,i ic,| unanimity Of feeling, wilh tile e\ • 114 lion, perhaps, of two representatives from Western Australia, Dean Latham and Mr. Longmore. Ho had drafted a resolution, which he submitted — " That this Congress heartily approves of the system of providing for children in the care of the State by boarding them out in select homes.' Mr. T. Smith (V.) in seconding the resolution said that in sup- porting the boarding-out system as against the industrial school, he could not do better than give a brief outline of the history of the movement in Victoria. The boarding-out system had been in vogue in Victoria since 1872, and had proved eminently satis- factory, so much so that industrial schools were a thing of the past. A Royal Commission on industrial and i matory schools sat in August, 1872, under the presidency of the late Hon. \V. F. Sawtell, Chief Justice, and comprised among its members some of the most distinguished men of the Slate. That Com- mission, after an exhaustive enquiry, condemned the industrial school system on the following, among other grounds (1) That the deprivation of all natural domestic associations injuriously affec- ted the health and spirits of the child. (2) That the bringing together of large numbers of children exposed them to dangers of contagion, both physical and moral. (3) That no opportunity was afforded for implanting in the mind those virtues which spring from the exercise of the domestic affections. (4) That no family or domestic ties of any kind were formed, no personal in- fluences of home, or father, or mother, or even of brother or sister.'* In 1374 the Government brought in a Bill carrying out the recommendations of the Royal Commission. Young children boarded out were so far as he could see, doing all right, and the system was working well. The average number boarded out was 3,453. That, of course, included children boarded out with their mothers. Of those only 45 had to be removed on account of being unmanagable, and placed in an institution. That alone would prove the advantage of the boarding-out system. It was not possible to do without institutions. The Department fre- quently received children from 12 to 14, who through absence of restraint had proved so unmanagable, or had truant tendencies, and consequently were backward in their education, that a spe- cial school was necessary. For cases of that kind they had a I'.rm home at Bayswater, under the supervision of the Salvation Army, the Army, of course, receiving an allowance for such chil- dren. Another argument in favour of boarding-out was the home life thus provided for the children. They had a home and formed home affections and lies. In" many cases so strong was the af- fection of the foster parents for the children that the officers frequently found them bringing the little ones up with the belief that they were really their own children, and bore their name, 115 and were most anxious thai the children should not be un- deceived in the matter. Mr. A. W. Green (N.S.W.) asked for the following addition — ■''Including boarding-out to mothers being widows or deserted wives." If they were going to maintain the family life principle they must certainly consider the widows and the deserted wives in keeping their children around them. He felt strongly that they could not get better boarding-out homes in many cases than with the mothers themselve-. Mrs. Edwards 1T.1 seconded the amendment. In many rases the mothers should be encouraged to keep their children and the home together. Certainly there were mothers and fathers from whom it was desirable to take the children, but where a mother was 1 fl with her children and she was at all anxious to pro- vide a home for them, those children should be left to her. If they took them away it struck at the very heart of the home life in Australia, which they wished particularly to encourage. They bad only to look into their own he know how they would feel in such ca — , Even the foster mother, althougn she might • keep her house spick and span, very often was fond of the children, and she felt deeply that they should board out children witli their own mothers when they could. It was a hard and fast line to draw to say that the mother should lose her children if she wanted State help. The hoarding-out with mothers was in force in Tasmania, and she would like to see it adopted every- where. If they took the children away when the husband had serted, there was frequently nothing to keep the home toge ther, and the woman would drift a way. If they wanted to 1; the mother straight, let her keep her children. It had been said that they did not board out children in the country in Tasmania. They did not do that because the grant for neglected childr was very small, ami in order to ensure proper supervision being made they only boarded them nut in [lobart and Launcest Ity was not a Congested one, and they had ample room in the suburbs. They had their paid officers who inspected them In both cities, and the cities were also divi led into districts, with luntary lady Lnsp< Mr. Seager, who himself did excel lent work, could qoI speak too highly of the lady it ra who juch a keen Interesl In the children. if the children u ►arded out in tie- country they would have to be supi rvised by the police, .-Hid thai was mosl undesirable. The police mlghl i.e very kind, but it was not desirable to bring those children in touch with them. Tie;, bad only about 120 children boarded out in foster homes, and only a yitv small number in institutions. in si. Joseph's Orpl there were about 30, and in the Church it ' on there was about tin- same number. 116 Miss Spence — It is an extraordinary thing that Tasmania has so few neglected children. Mrs. Edwards (T.) said it was owing to the fact that the law describing a neglected child was not stringent enough. They could not get the children, and they were seeking now to alter the law to enable them to do more, particularly on the lines of the Toronto laws, under which children could be taken from un- desirable parents. They had a sad case in Tasmania. A little boy of seven or eight, who murdered the baby. The people were living like animals in a distant part of the bush, and the boy was left to mind the little one. He got tired of it, and knocked it on the head. He was tried for the murder, and the supposi- tion was that no one would take him. But they got him a home.. His name was legally changed, and he attended school witk an excellent record. He would be brought down from Hobart in a few years time, and no one would know that he had started life as a murderer. They apprenticed children, also, and unfortu- nately they had to rely on the police for their supervision. They did not interfere very much, and Mr. Seager visited once a year all those homes in the country. Foster parents had to produce certificates that the children had attended school. The payments were : — Up to eight years of age, 21/(5 a month ; to ten, 23/6 ; and to thirteen, 25/0 ; while 25/ was spent in clothes when they were boarded out. The payments were very small, but so far the results had been very good. The cost to the State of the child boarded out in the institutions was much more than that. She heartily approved of boarding-out, and where possible it should be done with their own mothers. Mr. Gray (S.A.) would not make any strenuous opposition to the amendment, but he could not accept it as part of the motion. In South Australia the provision for the care of destitute chil- dren was in the hands of the Destitute Board. They could ob- tain relief there to a greater or lesser amount in order to sup- port the children in their own homes. If it was merely a case of poverty there should be no necessity for the Council to take the children away, unless it amounted to abject poverty, which meant no home. It was only when children had to be removed from immoral surroundings or improper parents that the State Children's Council stepped in. Mrs. Edwards (T.) said that in Tasmania they had no State Children's Council, but the money that was paid in such matters came out of the charitable grants, and it was all considered one whether it was benevolent or boarding-out. Miss Spence (S.A.) said she had been a member of the Desti- tute Board for 12 years, and from the first she had always s;iid that thf r ;1 iet" given to mothers and their children was too small. 117 Yet the authorities said that it had gone on for 50 or 60 years, and hundreds and thousands of families had been brought respec- tably with the rations, and the mothers doing what they could. Xo doubt ii was hard on the mother to try and earn money and look after the children too, and it was owing to that fact that provision was made for the children of deserted wives and re spectable wid >ws and the children wen only taken from the mothers when they were vicious. Of the number of children who fell into their hands the number who came from sheer poverty and inability to keep a roof over their heads was surprising^ small. They saw the mothers once in three months, and that was all that was required, because they told them if there was any change in their positions. If a child had gone to work, or had reached lo years of age, half a ration was knocked off. Then a ration was given if the head of the house was sick, whether father or mother. She had agitated for some time for an altera- tion in the rations, which were fixed in the old emigrant days, when the emigrants lived in little wooden houses in the park land-. They were flour and meat, or bread and meat, tea and Sugar, and rice— now oat .1 soap and salt. Fuel could he picked up easily in those days, but it was now scarce, and if the Government gave those people fuel and potatoes it would be a great comforl to the mother and children. The Chairman of the Board, Who was an official, said that private charity provided that. It certainly did to some extent, but not with the ease and regularity which the Government could do it. Widows had an absolute right to assistance from the Hoard. Questions were asked as to whether any ehildn n were working, and other things. She was glad the old age pensions were coming in. when those questions WOUld UOl l»- asked any more. In South Australia there was uo pressing need for the amendment, but they were in tull sympathy with it where there was no certain Govern- ment relief. Mr. G (N.S.W.) said In' would withdraw the amend I and move a separate resolution. Mr. I-:. \v. Hawker is.a.i said from tlie speeches made lie should judge that there was a certain antagonism between [nsti- tutione and boarding-out. lo South Australia they had i- boarding-out very successful indeed, but they had institu also, and thej could not possibly do without them. As an ex- ample id' those institutions he tool: "lie thai was praised lc H the visitors wiio went there. That was at Edwardstown. The two things had to work together. He did not wish anyone to go away from the meeting with the idea that Institutions wet failure. They bad a central Institution, and from thai they the boardlng-oul in tin' country. The Congress had been called 118 so th^i t they could learn what was going on in the different States, and take the best from all, so as to get the one general system throughout the Commonwealth. He believed in the Xcvv South Wales syst* m of having magistrates in different parts of the country. They were far too much centralized in South Aus- tralia. There was always to he a beginning, and that generally came from The chief town in a State. From that the work i x- tended out. They must recognise that there must be a centra] authority. He believed in having magistrates in various parts to look after the children. Mrs. Edwards had objected to the police iooking after them. That was quite right. If a mounted trooper went to enquire after a child the idea was that that child had done something wrong. A special magistrate, if appointed, would lie a sort of foster father for the children in his district. They wanted The people throughout the State to look after the children and take an intrest in them, and to recognise that Those little ones who came into the world without any violation of their own should be cared for. There was a cry through. Australia for more population, but the people did not. seem to fully realise the necessity for saving the population that came. They should do all they could to make those children good citizens of the State. He would vote for the resolution, and hoped that they would fol- low the example of New South Wales and some of the other States with regard to the special magistrates. Mr. Longmore thought the general principle could be carried unanimously. Anyone who had had anything to do with children would approve of both systems. It was said that there was an apparent antagonism between the two systems. He had listened to Miss Spence's paper with great interest, and it was well to have an enthusiast of that type in any community. If they had a Miss Spence in "Western Australia it would be a good thing for the State. He was glad Dean Latham took up the other side, because it led to ran animated discussion. The general principle of boarding-out was a good thing, but at the same time he was not going To say That there was no good in institutions. Institu- tions had done, and could do good work. Under their new Act, which had been practically founded upon the South Australian Act, the Secretary had power to board out, and that plan he had adopted in connection with young children. At the time he left Perth they had 31 children boarded out, and that number would no doubt increase. They had ten institutions, and the number of children in them was about 500, an average of 50 in each. Mr. GJreen had said there was a difficulty in mothering 100 children. He presumed that was almost impossible. At the same time a practical and sympathetic matron with good lady officers, mother- ing that number was not badly carried out, although he was 119 prepared to say that they were far better in those institutions than in some of the homes. Western Australia was in a dif- ferent position from that of the other States. Since he started work there 12 years ago he had been trying to get the boarding- out system working alongside the institutions. The trouble had been and would continue in the unsettled population. There were some excellent homes, and at the same time some indif- ferent ones, aud they had to be very careful with the people. The question of expense had been mentioned. They paid 7 a week for each child boarded out, 2/ more than was done else- where. The first year the child lived the pay was 9/, and the second 8/, and after that 7/. They paid the institutions S/, but, for instance, when the girls in the institution managed by Dean Latham went to the higher classes of the public school, the amount hi I .^es was reduced to 7/. The extra 1/ was on account of the education given while there. It was really to pay for ' - stic education of the children. That worked satisfac- torily. Boarding-out children with their own mothers was also carried >>ut in Western Australia. He presumed Mr. Green meant to pay ;;!<•• or keeping their own children. Did he under- stand from .Miss Sot nee that the Destitute Board paid only ra- tions, and not money V Miss e — Xo money. Mr. Longmore (W.A.) said they had gone beyond that in Wes- tern Australia, lie had tub powers in those matters, and if the mother could show ti:. - lould really retain the home he had always mad* 11 a strong point to keep the home going. For every child up to the number of four they paid 2/6 a week, with a maximum of 10/ a week to assisl a mother to keep her own dren. The rations were bread, tea, meat, and sugar, as .. general rule, bul he bad full power, and if he found that something did not suit simple matter to arrange for something else. Each . - dealt with on it-- -. So that practically they tme lin- - 3 elsewhere. They had 878 chil- dren ti:. ieing ally kept by ike state in their own homes in addition to the 500 in the institutions. They were re ceiving ions • p the home together. After eons Hi Mr. ■ in- time Pack they cam" to the con- clusion "• to pa, amount for children staying with their ov, • were boarded out by the state. !!• : -• d . ter with Mi-. Miller, Mr. Smith's predeci in Mell ofirmed thai decision. Mrs. (W.A.) Said the society she • uteri v .. ait. They were nol op to He tools the State children, and she took those that were not connected with the State at all. The children they took were the illegitimates, and at the same time they tried to get their own mothers to maintain them. They paid about £25 every week from the Society to foster mothers. They became respon- sible to tlif foster mothers for the payment of the money for the Child, and at the same time tried to get hold of the girl to pre- vent her getting back to reproduce what they had to maintain. Thai had worked splendidly. They had had 170 of those girls passed through their books, ami there were about 4.". that they paid weekly for now. One weakness she saw in the boarding- out with mother-; and the present system of payments was that she could not see why a poor w< . i struggling with perhaps five children away in the bush, or other place, should be limited to half-a-crown a week lor four of them. It was far too small, but she bad never found Mr. Longmore adamant. He had often granted both rations and 10/ a week. But they were subject to the individual who happened to be in power. Mr. Longmore was a busy man. and she wondered how he got the time to do all the work. They had no council, and the committee of the Society did what was done by the State Shildren's Council of South Aus- tralia. She would strongly advocate a Council, as it was splendid to think of the power of thought of 12 on a committee, instead of one man. On behalf of the Children's Protection Society she wished to say how strongly they were in favour of boarding-out. A medical man was attached to each district of the Society. Each child was brought in every week to be inspected and weighed and measured by the doctors to see if it was making progress. They had a Government inspection, and they had also their own inspection. A qualified nurse went around to see that everything was right. Not much had been said of infant lii'e. They wanted to protect the woman before the child was born, and they wanted to take care of the child before it required to go into the reformatories. They could not do without institutions. How were they to deal with the imbeciles V If they brought a woman b( fore the bench her statement or evidence would not be taken, and the man would go free, as he nearly always did get free, while the poor girl had to suffer. They tried to find the father, and make him pay. She brought one man from South Australia about a fortnight or three weeks ago, and he faced the bar. When she did find them she told them that if they did not make restitution she would make a public example of them, and that generally answered. She hoped the motion would be' ■d so far as mothers were concerned, and she would go back to Western Australia happier than when she came away. 121 The Chairman said they were all at one with regard to the matter of having institutions for the training of the young war Is of the State. That was simply the vestibule to the boarding-out system. They had to be careful to have sane views on the ques- tion. It was remarkably easy to be liberal with the public money, but they should adopt the principle to help the parents to help themselves. But they must be careful not to pauperise the people. Carried unanimously. Mr. A. W. Green CN.S.W.) moved— "That in the opinion of this Congress the boarding-out of children to mothers being either widows or deserted wives should be carried out as a legal right." It seemed from «\'hat the Chairman said that it was ,-i matter of money. Their experience was that it was a long way cheapei board the children our with their mothers than to board them separately. They were paying less now by keeping the child with the a mothers than if they took them away and put them with foster mothers. There was always the difficulty of paup - - the community. If they had proper inspection and visitation they soon found out where the family could go on on it^ own tooth - Every board meeting cases were discharged. It w;.s only a maintaining allowance. It was not an allowance that would make the woman live in idlenesss or make her think that she need only depend on the Government. After all, were not her children an asset to the State '-. They were paying emigrants from other countries, and if they groughl those chil- dren up properly and had them properly clothed and fed. and urely they were an assel to the State in ev< ry pos- sible way. The better they were brought up the better men and women they would make. The money they spent on them would to them by keeping them out of gaol afterwards. I-' rem . uoinic point o iiew the results must commend motion to the Congr< There was too much of the drifti _ away ft and they wanted to keep to the family life if they It was greal things they should look to when the mother could keep her own children. He looked : ward to the t mi when they would have do boarded oul chili except ' th their own mothers, [f South Australia though! she . ■ Destitute Board, very wall, bul diil .M ih •> b ucii pleasure in seconding the resolu- tion, i ' ti £ - said they had I a righting for oucession, i>ut as a legal i Motl the support of their uusbuud - .: . -i. nice to their lio i tieir childn u. \ ti 1 1 d iuhuu 122 take away a woman's child and give them to another woman to- keen and mother them, and to say that could not be helped ex- cept whal they could get at the Relief Department, Charity of that kind was more demoralising than the help that came in the way sugg - I by The motion. Just before she left home she visited the Relief Department; and saw little children carrying- away the week's supplies. All the surroundings were really hurt- ful and demoralising to young life. They quite agreed that young life was an asset to the State, and the necessity for preser- ving it and protecting home life and home influences was perhaps greater than they realised. To make such a marked difference in the payment that was given for the child in the care of its own mother, and when it was in the care of the foster mother was wrong. In their State, they succeeded in getting that right to widows and deserted wh - the amount paid for each child was 3/9. Not very much, but in many a case it meant that little extra to the moman that enabled her to keep her home to- gether so that she was able to support herself creditably. Now the' amount was raised to 5/ for a single child, 476 each for two chil- dren. 4/ for three children, and 3/9 each if there were more than three, and a widow had 15/ a week, and she believed in some- cases fl. Those mothers, although they received those amounts, were not in exactly the same position as the foster mothers. The foster mothers received medical attention and medicine for the children as well as school requisites, which were not given by the departments to the natural mothers, so that the latter were still at a considerable disadvantage in that respect. Rather than taking away the children and leaving the woman with no inte- rest in life besides, injuring the children, they thought the spirit of independence could be fostered and the children and the State benefited in the long run by not breaking up the family. Mr. P. MeM. Glynn (S.A.) said he voted for the last resolu- tion, not with any desire to curtail any operations of the institu- tion system, but with the object of securing the co-ordinate work- ing of the two systems as beneficial to the State. The present motion was unnecessary. In South Australia there were three classes of children who came under the State. There was the destitute child whose parents was unable to support it; and that came under the boarding-out principle in the Act. There was the glected child, which was taken from the parents on the ground of some lack of moral sympathy on the part of the parent. It would surely b( said that it would be inadvisable to place that child back again in the surroundings from which the State had thought tit to remove it. Then there was the child guilty of a quasi-criminal offence, and that could be put on probation by the magistrate or boarded out by the State. The- power asked ty 123 the motion was at present in existence in South Australia, and it was unwise to put on record a direction to the Council to exercise a power in a particular direction when it was already aide to exercise that power. The significance attaching to the motion was that it conferred upon the mother the right to receive xhe child. He did not think it was wise to interfere with the dis- etion of the Council in the matter. Miss Goldstein (V.) asked if the power in the case of the des- titute child to give relief was with the Destitute Board in South Australia ? The Chairman — Yes. Bliss Goldstein supported the resolution because it was un- desirable that widows and deserted wives who were perfectly deserving women who had suffered should he proclaimed destitute to the world, and make themselves - - of charity. In Vic- toria they had a system of paj ts for widows and deserted wft - 1 it had worked satisfactorily for 12 years. She knew many women herself, most worthy and admirable mothers. thrown on tlteir own resources, and whose lives were a continual burden to them, simply because of the weekly question of rent, before their law came into operation. They were never sure of Qg hoi • their heads. Now they could apply to the :e and their home would lie ..ssured. They did not seek to remove all their obligations, but simply pave them sufficient to keep their homes and to secure a little food. The whole question slood or fell by inspection. She had known cases were the wo- men had simply hoodwinked the police, who used to have (lie sin i - .ii. It wae just the same with 'regard to the inspection al es. B ore that was properly done in Vivtoria they had women hoodwinking the police right and left. There would he a bottle for the inspector to see, ;.nd another bottle for the baby, ii,. it the Inspector did not see. with a p p< system of inspec- i on she did net see how anyon< could have one word to -ay 81 the system. Mrs. Edward* supported • notion for i • son that they should try and keep tiios,. women from destitution. Mi often sent their el ildren for th< r< - ihildr< i grew up paupe used t> it, and thought it no shan In South Austral ■ •• ad a State Children's Council it •ild he a | _ if tin re done away •h. and th< - ower to deal with it. They \> not dictating to th< nncil in any way, bu1 I - a recommen- ds i to their own Councils which they hoped to have. w. , the destitute children should be under .nd i,ot under the relief boards. Mr. MacMaeter T.) bad quite recently spenl thi rtere 124 ■of an hour in the Relieving Officers Department in Hobart watching the distribution of rations, and it occurred to him then that they were simply manufacturing paupers. It was demora- lising to girl after girl demanding that dole as one of the rules of their lives. He questioned the manager afterwards, who agreed that they were manufacturing paupers. That was abso- lutely deplorable. With the spirit of Mr. Green's motion he was thoroughly in accord. The very worst form of extravagance was the cheeseparing parsimony which considered the question merely from the financial standpoint. The State could do many worse things than spend a few pounds ou the children in their early days, because the little one paid for it in the long run. The most serious difficulty they had to fact in Tasmania was that the law gave them absolutely no power to take the child away from the very worst type of motht r. The stories told by some of the truant inspectors seemed to be almost incredible, and he went to to Mr. Seager and other officers who told him that the horrors were actu- ally in existence. He suggested to Mr. Green that there should be something in the motion which would make it quite clear to the public that it was a right which was subject to inspection, and for only the desirable class of mother. Mr. Gray (S.A.) was glad Mr. Glynn had drawn attention to the position in South Australia. He was sure that Mr. Green and the Congress did not intend that mothers of convicted chil- dren should have the right to claim their offspring from the Coun- cil. He was equally sure that they did not intend that children who by the direct omission or commission of the parents came into the hands of the Council should be again placed with their parents. That cleared the ground very much. Then a destitute child was defined in the Act as meaning any child who had no means of subsistence apparent to the justices, and whose near relatives were in the opinion of the justices in indigent cir- cumstances, and unable to support the child, or were dead or un= known, or could not be found, or were out of jurisdiction, or in the custody of the law, or any child brought in any way under the control of the Destitute Board. That narrowed it down again to those near relatives who were in the opinion of the justices in indigent circumstances, and unable to support the child. Such children were seldom brought before the Court. They usually appealed to the Destitute Board for relief. If they did come be- fore the Court, upon the parent showing that there was some rea- sonable expectation of being able to keep the child it was ir diately released. It came to this — whether the relief given by the State to indigent parents should be by means of having the child committed to the care of the Council, and then boarded out, or whether the relief should be directly to the parents without the 125 committal of the children. Thar was the whole- question. Mr. Green, he presumed, meant that no child should be taken from its parent simply on account of poverty. .Mr. Green— The first thing that made me think of this was Hit child watching for doles. Mr. Gray (S.A.) said that was a matter for the Destitute Board, and on which, strictly speaking, the Congress had no word. The Destitute Board was appointed by the Government to give relief in such case- as appeared to him to be contemplated by the resolution where ir was not proper to remove the child from the mother. When it was proper to remove them from the home they came into the care of the Council. If the Congress said that the relief should be in the hands of the Council, that was another matter altogether. The Congress wanted to avoid taking away children from their parents on account of poverty, and that oc- curred very little in South Australia. Mr. Ferguson (Q.) could not go the length of the resolution that the children should be boarded out. with the mothers as .i legal right. They should not say that any deserted woman, legal right, should have the assistance of the Department. Thai was making if too wide altogether. They had very few committed children in their case. About 90 per cent, of the ehil- dr< ii were banded to him voluntarily, and they were admitted, under the orphanage regulations. When the child was commit- ted as .; neglected child, or one having committed an offence, and under the age of 1:.' years, the sentence was recommended by the Governor-in-Council to be remitted, and handed over to to tlie orphanage branch. They had often disputed whether the widows and des« rted wives should get money as a legal right. It was net money paid to the women, it was a grant to assist them in maintaining their children and in keeping the home toge- ther, in the Relief Department they had rations given to the parents, and st times t<> the children. But in the orphanage branch they paid the foster mother to maintain the children, but they did not pay the ther the same as the foster mother. The regulations came iu force in 1906, and they bad To applications thai year, and in the last two years the number had Increased to 544, 1ml they had found that parents with children from 25 years of age downwards had applied for assistance. Mr. Green Thai is surely a question of administration. Mr. Ferguson Bui M' they made it a legal righl those peopl< could claim it. They had had cases of widows and desert d wives who had propertj valued at £ - _' f. There was too much of the tendency right throughout the people to give up being independent. There was too much running to the Government for everything. The property owners had to do a great deal of what the Destitute Asylum did. On his father's property they gave away 2,000 meals to able-bodied men. He now owned a sixth of the property, and he had five men a Qight coming there for bed. breakfast, and tea. There was too much of that going on right through Australia. The men were gn «p their independence, and they did not want to encourage that. They wanted to avoid overlapping between the Destitute Asylum and the State Children's Council because that meant divided au- ; ority and increased expense. He was appalled by the nuno 127 of widows and deserted women in other - -. It was a bad •outlook for Australia, and he could see that there was a great •danger that ir might lend to collusion and the men would .go away and say that the State < ould look after their children. His ding \v,-is to take the woman away from the Destitute Asylum and put her under the State Children's Council. He would vote for the resolution, but he would like I -•■■ the- legal right refe- rence struck out. because ir must not be a question of them going there and having an absolute right, but they must have it so that they could give it or not. .Mr. Longmore (W.A.) said he w - glad to hear the Chair- man say that they must be careful in dealing with that matter, cause they were dealing with public money. Things must be considered from that standpoint, and those administering the Act irdingly. Tasmania had very little money devoted >se and he was surprised that aount was so all. There was full power for the State Children's Council •any out the -_ of Mr. Green. He had looked into W - n Australian Ait. which was practically word for word with the South Australian Act. and it meant that a child without sufflcie - of support had only to be brought before the iurt ami committed to the Department and the child could be at to its mother. There was full power under the South Australian Act to do all that was required, and it only required . out. Mr. Maxted — It is not done. Mr. Longmore -aid a destitute child could be brought under ill,- A hoarded out with its parent. The question was whether ;t was advisable to do it in certain cireumstam l'li. -re were three neglected, the criminal, and the istitute. Someone referred to the fact that they did not want. a form of charity, bu1 wh 3 it? I' was the state pay _ for a :• it was paid by one organisation i e oilier. It w.i- monej paid by the State, and moreover it was Impracticable. And so there is the v. n 2 risk that, so -to in as these units arc at liberty t" nd ch will at once reverl to his former habits. I pass over the admitted d (inherent factors in Institution tment) Buch ;<- of further contamination by close m, absence of ! mltati ■ itly useful employ- ment, He- final severance of ii ■ is, the aecessary Incom pleten wlflcation. 134 Now the principle underlying this is true of all institutions, even where such functions are not always admitted. It has been si riously contended that the principle of institution treatment must be inherently sound because it is very large- ly availed of in the education of the best classes of the community, and the great public schools of Great Brit- ain are cited in support of this argument. But surely such a contention is a futile one. Such an institution as a great public school merges the individual in the general : the moral outlook of the individual is established by reference to the moral outlook of the whole school, which is of an extremely high order as the result of its component units. Contrast such a school with a reformatory school, which, being based upon the same principle, it is argued should lead to the same results. Here the opposite results are obtained for the reason that again the moral out- look of the individual is established by reference to the moral outlook of the whole school, which in such a case is of an ex- tremely low order as the result of its component units. I think I have said enough to show that the correct stand- point to adopt, so far as delinquent children are concerned, is to treat any particular case as an average case. By this I mean that there is in childhood, owing to natural causes which I have already mentioned, a general and inevitable trend to the assertion of the rights of childhood, and these rights, such as truancy and vagrancy, and various positive transgressions are asserted recklessly and publicly, without regard to. and little knowledge of, the law of the land, which is, in point of fact, not even recognised by childhood as the law to which it must conform. The only law which is recog- nised and is <<;r is not) conformed to by childhood is the paren- tal law, which usually does coincide with the law of the land, yet which, in the case of a particular class, is either not ex- ercisd at all or is exercised in defiance of the law of the land, Paternal law can be exerted directly or indirectly, happily or fatally, or not at all, and it is because of this fact that such importance attaches to the preservation of the family group ;>s an essential factor in the reformative treatment of a child and as the alternative of the altogether fallacious method of treatment in institutions. And I think it will be conceded that the class of children, who should be treated in their own homes or in private homes apart from institutions is the average child — the ordinary delinquent possessing the Qualities I have previously described. On the other had the cases suitable for institutional treatment must necessarily be abnormal, so that it is obvious thai "Average Child" and "Abnormal Child'' 135 are the two types with which wo are concerned, which are lately distinct in all points save the one of age, and which depend for treatment upon essentially different conceptions of what is involved in the term "child." If the function of institutions is, as I have said, to be re- garded as negative so far as The treatment of children is con- cerned, and a final or "abnormal" resource for "abnormal" s — and I think we may well hold that a child which is inherently vicious or criminal, or repeatedly fails to -diow improvement after it has been given reasonable opportuni- ties 10 do so. is an abnormality — what is to be the treatment in the multiplciity of cases of juvenile delinquents, who cer- tainly are not "abnormal," who have no proper home sur- roundings, and yet who represent in this State (and indi 1 believe, in mosl other countries) the very large majority of children who com. before the Courts V How are we to deal with the admittedly large class of vagrant children, living under evil conditions, and drifting beyond all doubt into a and crime the class that must inevitably be- iminal class if its moral development is not assis- what, 1 ask. is to be the treatment which will prevent . " delinquents from swelling the ranks of the '•abnormal delinquents" nhat is. delinquents whose mental and . ity is far in advance of their years owing primarily to negl< ct) ': .My emphatic reply to these queries is that in the larg I proportion of cases, which come before the Courts— in fact, in evi vhich cannot be shown to be a menace to the lity while at large, apply the natural remedy, send the chih! ce lh'- natural authority parental control. Serutinisi thes< - - of delinquency that come before the Courts, and «vha1 do we find V That the primary cause of the of the child i< due to the nature of the noine- traii. . _ the homo surroundings, *Uu- to evil associations, to deliberab and criminal negled of either parent or parents to • proper parental authority over the child. We find, in Bbort, that the offences committed by the child are the necessary ' onditions tor which he is in no sponsible and which he cannol remedy or modify, and which Inevitablj lead him to tin committal of wrong-doing fund will continue to do so) until lie is removed from them ■ d or changi d. \i\ _ • ill perhaps he made clearer by a positive Btab m< lit. which is thai radical reform of deTInquenl children must in the by the Improvement of the moral ati of the home, bj enforcing upon the parents 13G m recognition of their personal responsibility for offences com- mitted by their children and should this fail, by removing tne children from parental control, and placing them in carefully selected families where the moral obligation will be recog- nised. The personal responsibility of parents for offences com- mitted by their children is recognised by the English Law. Youthful Offenders Act of 1901. Chapter XX.. provides that where a child is charged with any offence involving a fine, &c, and the offence is believed to have been conduced by the neg- lect of the parent or guardian, a summons may be issued against The parent or guardian, and the charge against the child and parent or guardian respectively may be heard toge- ther, and if the Court is satisfied that the offence is due to tne neglect of the parent ;. t may order that he shall pay a hue. Further, the Court may commit the child to the care' of any person deemed tit and willing to receive him. The advantage which may accrue from the i'emovel of a child from parental control will be made clear if I take a speci- fic case : — A lad, 15 years of age. was convicted of stealing. He had never attended school or church. He lived with his father, who was a driver on the roads in the country. The lad used to accompany his father and committed the offence with the connivance of the latter. The boy was released on probation on condition that he attended school and church regularly, and the father undertook not to interfere with the arrangement. For a few months the hid progressed well at school. During those months he father was absent from the home on the roads. Upon his return, owing to his influence, the lad relapsed, and inquiry showed that the home surround- ings were altogether bad. The lad was removed from them and received special treatment in a cottage home. He was employed in agricultural work and soon showed himself to be a thoroughly trustworthy lad, with nothing of the criminal about him at all. Another instance is that of a boy 10 years, whose father was dead, and whose mother encouraged him to sing about the streets till the early hours of the morning. The boy truanted from school and associated with bad companions, and was quite beyond the control of his parent, to whom, however, he was a source of profit, and who acquiesced in the child's mis- conduct, until the Court, in his interests, had to interfere and remove him from his surroundings to a convent, where he is progressing well. To quote a third ease, the mere outlines of which will show that the delinquency of the child was due to conditions for 137 which be was in no way responsible. A child of eight years and six months was brought before the Children's Court charged with stealing a ring valued at £12. The evidence show - the home training and the home surrnundings were — sntially bad. However, on the promise of the parents to remove to a more desirable locality and to exercise greater care over the child, he was unfortunately discharged on pro- bation, to be allowed to drift back to his old habits, and he, two years later, was again brought before the Children's Court on a charge of having stolen 21 saucepans, and he was sent to the Farm Home. After about six months, during which time he was perfectly well-behaved and favourably reported on. his mother pleaded that he should be given another chance, and on the representation of several responsible persons he - again placed with his parents, but within a couple of months he was again arrested for a further offence, and was senl to the Carpenterian Reformatory. Now the circum- stance that this child of 83 years stole a valuable gold ring, and that he shortly afterwards stole 21 saucepans, showed clearly that there v. is something in his environment which was exercising a most malign influence over him. Had the theft been fruit from an orchard or articles for which he could have a personal use the case would not have worn such a sinster aspect. Thi> case t [early shows that scrutiny of the environment is absolutely necessary before a lad is discharged on probation in the first instance, the home surroundings should b>- the prim • I ir in guiding the Magistrate as to his decision, and by the appointmenl of a special Officer to collect such Information it hoped that the probation work under the Neglected Children's .\ we had the State Children's Act. with the provision that all that was necessary was corroboration of the statement of the mother in some material particular, but it need not be to the satisfac- tion of the magistrate, but if the magistrate found there was no corroboration it failed. Upon the whole that provision was found to work fairly well. So far as regards fixing the re- sponsibility under the statute law I may mention we have the power in cases where the alleged father is likely to abscond, -and by the amendment of the Act of 1885 that power may lie exercised even if the child may be unborn. This is a great help to the Department. I simply give this as an instance of the law in cases in which uniformity may be possible. The next question is how uniformity might be brought about. You know the Federal Parliament has power to bring about uniformity in certain cases like bankruptcy. In these cases experts are asked to send in reports based on their experience of the working of the State Acts. Take the baknruptey law there was a meeting of solicitors in the different States. They made recommendations to the Federal Government, who considered them and then drew up a model Bill, which was sent back to the experts for consideration, and finally the Bill is drafted raid it becomes subject to amendment by the Federal Government, and the Bill will be introduced into the Federal Parliament. In our case we have the experience of the working of the various State Acts, and possibly we may get uniformity. The various bodies throughout the State should send to one another asking how they administer their Act, how it was working, what its d< were, and what re- nted' were prepared to accept ? These answers might ■ onsidered and a drafting committee appointed. I would prefe - - one draftsman appointed by the Federal or State Gove . r to draft an Act from the various suggestions that bad been made. This could I - I to the various bod: s 143 and finally one Bill could be drawn up. That might be passed either by the Federal Parliament, or should the State Parlia- ment wish to delegatt power to it to do so, and it would be confirmed in its operation to those Stales who asked the Fede- ral Parliament to pass it, or it could he passed as a uniform Act by each of the State Parliaments. You can see there nre it difficulties in the way of uniformity. The first was in deciding on what Act the uniformity should be based, and then in seeing that the legislation was adopted by all the States, cither by the Federal Parliament doing it or the State Parliaments themselves tuse even although we may col- late the views of the different State- still that Bill has to re- ceive the criticism of the members of the Parliament and the work done by the Departments under the State Acts might be rendered futile bj legislators who really did not know what - requii In regard to the collection of fees before federation there ■ really no effective Act for the collection of fees when the at responsible was absent from the State. The Acts had xtraterritorial operation. In 1887 South Australia pas the Intercolonial Debtors Act, and the effect of the provisions .'vt is that wl: Igi if a district or local court Ig cut. judgment may he registered in another id the Act declared that the judgment should 1 n- forced by receprocal agreement under the Act of another ~ the person responsible, so that if a judgment were obtained in a South Australian Court it might he regis- 1 in Victoria under a similar Act passed in 1890. Tin' idea of thai legislation was that judgment could he recovered agal erson in Victoria although the Courl thai gave the oid< i was in South Australia. The Act was found to be larg< and in one case ii was decided by the Supreme < ourl of Victoria that it could only he applied to the • lutb Australian who cleared out to avoid payment in South Australia. I do not wan; _ into the complex. tils ol extraterritoriality, hut until the Federal Parliament came into fore* there was no power to pass an Act to enforce ma in term orders againsl a person who left the <'. applj to deserters of >.. d children, bu clan-' pow ei to pass .i i .\' i nnd, i whir, i i 144 ance orders made in South Australia can be enforced im another State. In 1001 Ave passed the Process Enforcement Act, but unfor- tunately it only applies to writs. Clause 1G deals with crimi- nal offences, and an order may be enforced in any State by the registration of the order. That does not help us because it only applies to criminal offences, and what we want is to enforce the maintenance order which is regarded as a civil observance. I suggest that the Federal Act should be amen- ded to enable These orders for the payment of small sums of momy to be executed in any part of Australia, and upon a cheap registration being effected, the simple proof and the existence of the order would be sufficient. There would, how- ever, still remain the difficulty of identification of the person against whun the order was made, but if the draftsman were asked to form an amendment of the Act of 1891 there would be no difficulty to have the registration taken as prima facie presumption as regards identification, which would throw the onus of proof on the defendant, who should be held respon- sible. To that I mention again how to obtain uniformity. We must get it by some process such as I have suggested. One Bill could be accepted by each State, and that Bill would have to be passed by the Parlianient of each State or the States could delegate their powers to the Federal Parliament, or the Fedcrai Act could be amended, which would be more efficacious. There is the power to surrender to the Federal Parliament the whole power of making these orders, but I do not suggest that because there are many things which can be better dealt with by the State than handed over to men not so closely concerned. That is the experience in America, where the latest writers point out the inefficiency of the Fede- ral Parliament to deal with matters which the State Parlia- ments are able to settle. There is a growing feeling against the extension of the Federal Parliaments powers in America, the causes of which should be known to those who advocte the surrendering of large powers here. There is another matter referring to American voluntary action in relation to children. Bight through America you find societies absolutely national in their scope. I have here the report of the National Child Labour Committee — a com- mittee of philanthropists who meet to consider the limita- tions of child labour, and it appears to co-ordinate its work with the State raid National Government. Dr. Mayo has dealt with home and ordinary training, but we want a high standard of duty, the neglect of which leads to a defective sense of parental obligation. Lambroso points out that delinquency re- 145 ■suits from the neglect of parental duties and from absence of atrophied affection. If you take the child at the proper time it is possible to mould it in the right way. One writer in the book I have hen- wants a children's bureau To be started in Washington, and he points out that the great decline in the birth-rate is due to the causes mentioned by Dr. Mayo, and he mentions that 45 per cent, of the unfruitful marriages are so because of the causes mentioned by Dr. Mayo, and as a point germane to the subject we are discussing, I quote the following : — " Milk poisoning, ignorance of others as to how to feed and care for their children, inability to nurse them either for physical or for economic reason-, lack of necessary facili- ties for surgical and medical treatment, and lack of knowledge in the rank and tile of the medical profession concerning the diagnosis and treatment of infantile disorders, are among the causes for this high mortality among infants." VOTE OF THANKS. Mr. Gray (S.A.) reported that he had a letter from tiie Secre- tary to the Railway Commission in Melbourne, Stating that he had issu. d passes to the delegates. Mr. Spargo moved and Mr. MacMaster seconded a vote of thanks. I irried. The Congress adjourned for Luncheon. The ("on-! sumed at 2.30 p.m. RESOLUTIONS I I 'MMITTEE. Mr. Longmore (W.A.) presented the progress report of the Resolutions Committee. They had considered the resolutions siil»- mitted, and had altered them where ir was advisable:'. They re- commended the adoption of the following : — ••That tiii- Congress urges upon the Governments of the States of this Commonwealth the introduction of legisla- tion compelling notification to the Registrar in the distri I of all births ol children within seven days a iter the birth ot tiie child. Bucb Information to be available tor the Sta ■ Children's Department and the Health Officer in each St.r •Thai in the opinion of tie- Congress Bummer diarrhoea of infant-, should lie a notitiabl i ii.it in the opinion of this Congress Bteps Bhould I to p n all the states of ih.- Commonwealth a system oi probation tor delinquent children." 140 " That the supervision of such children should be entrusted to some special authority rather than the Courts." "That this Congress heartily approves of the system of pro- viding for the children in the care of the State by boarding them out in selected homes. " That in the opinion of this Congress the boarding-out of children with their mothers being either deserving widows or deserted wives should be carried out." He moved the adoption of the report. Mr. Green (N.S.W.) seconded. Carried. The Question of Collecting Maintenance contributed from Default- ing Parents, tvilh Suggestions for the Adoption of a Uniform Practice in connection thereioith throughout the Commonwealth and New Zealand. Mr. A. W. Green (N.S.W.) read the following paper : — Wife desertion and child desertion — at once the most des- picable offences against social order, and one that is specially fraught with important economic consequences, not only so far as the individual wife is concerned, but also in relation to the community in general. It is a curious thing when we come to consider that the wife and child deserter is actually the meanest of all criminals — that public opinion should contemplate and tolerate the regu- lar committal of the offence with a kind of philosophic ac- quiescence, and that statutory law should be filled with limi- tations Avhich are of the greatest possible usefulness to the deserter, and that it should moreover, contain provisions for the State for readily and thoroughly undertaking his social obligations in regard to his wife and family. It seems to me, in the light of experience in the State of New South Wales — and I have no doubt that there is equal and similar experience in other States — when we consider the important and far- reaching evils that result to the community as well as to the individual wife and family, that, so far from continuing to view the offence of desertion with passive equanimity, we should as a community be fired with a proper indignation such as this really heinous crime merits, and should (still consider- ing ourselves as one community) actively resolve that its per- petration with impunity shall not continue, but that the laws of the land, where they are not already a sufficient check on that offence, shall be strengthened and universalised. Take, for example, the condition of affairs in the State of 147 New South "Wales. The criminal law re< shall have been absent from his family for 30 day- . . any steps can be taken by his wife or by the state to inter- fere, observe of what tremendous assistance such a legal provision is to a man. who, having made up his mind to al don his wife and offspring, is thus practically allowed to do so. It is quite immaterial That his wife is in a position to go next morning to a < 'our and show beyond all doubt that si>. aware that it is her husband's intention to leave his family without provision. She may know his address, but all to no avail. The man is permitted to make good his resolve, and is ^iven a clear :>0 days to perfect his plans. After that time the wife - satisfy the police as to the bona tides of the circum- stances under which a warrant is sought : and when she has . then and then only is the pursuit of the offender in- stituted, with the genera] result that it is found that be eeded in effecting his purpose, and he will be heard of no ; s — and This is a common ex] i —it will be i nly to learn that he is es1 shed in a neighbouring • His wife is not in a position to pay th< - of evtradi- ompel him to conform to his res] ■ iti< s, and thus - - scot-free. It may be argued by some that the reason that the alio,' 3 i latitude to The deserter is that the results of ex- peri' _ >w that tin wife's conduct is frequently a largely contributing factor in the matter, and that for this eon- duct - I ttle or no legal remedy which The husband ir example, conduct such as neglect of dom< duties. But, although it will not be denied that the wife no doubt ; s often equally blame-worthy, still incompatibility een wife and husband is no explanation of the latti : to recognise bis obligations •lis children. The mothers are tbus left in a state of com; ■"" »Hed to seek other men to assisl tnaintei f their children. 'I make this -tat' and boldly, and the experience of thi S it ; women are driven to immoral living to which would otir i by th< desertion >>■' their : bands. The able t<> provide absolutely for their dren, md are thus compelled e them under the con: of ii - or have recourse to the method I have pusi tkmed. In the year 1896 tbe late sir Arthur Renwick, M l>. (the i the H< 0. K. \i« KelL of t: Chlldi i i; I Board) wa ■ Ible for Introduction of the stale- < bildren Relief Act, by this means moth rs, v 148 with children under 12 years of age, became legally entitled— after they had proved themselves to be deserving— to receive monetary allowance for each of their children under 12. This Clause has doubtless had a most important bearing on the morality aspect of the question, and has been of very great service in preserving hundreds of family groups which must inevitably have become scattered and finally destroyed altoge- ther, owing, in the first place, to the desertion of the father, then as a consequence, the destitution or moral failure of the mother, leading necessarily to the children, becoming a per- manent burden upon the State. For, as we are well aware, if the family is once broken up, it is only in isolated cases that it is ever ultimately re-formed. The terms of Section XVI. of the State Children Relief Act (to which I have referred above), authorise the State Children Relief Board to board-out. at varying rates, children under 12 years to their own mothers, when the latter have been shown to be deserving. These mothers are either widows or deser- ted wives, the latter being liberally construed by the Board to mean " wives whose husbands are in gaol. Government Asylums, in general hospital, or in hospitals for the insane, or are de facto deserted wives." I shall not go into a. close account of the operations of this section beyond pointing out that a very considerable amount of public money is annually expended in assisting in the maintenance of the children of dffaulting husbands. In 1908 there were 315 "technically deserted" wives assisted, of whom 210 were deserted de facto, while in 1909, 344 deserted wives were helped, of whom 226 were actually deserted. Taking, for example, the year 1908, we find that in the State of New South Wales £7,419 was de- voted to succouring deserted wives. Of that amount propor- tionately £3,000 was required to assist in the maintenance of children of men, who had unlawfully deserted their families. This amount is, of course, in addition to fhe very much larger sum of public money voted annually by Parliament for the support of destitute children who are boarded out with other than their own relatives, and who in a larger number of in- stances have become wards of the State as the result of their parents- desertion of them. Approximately, £3,000 a year is spent in maintaining these deserted children. So that, in our State about £6,000 per annum is required to make provision for children who have been deserted by their parents. It is. or course, imivossible to state definitely what proportion of that amount would be recouped by the State if a new legisla- m of a drastic nature were instituted with the object of dealing definitely and severely with the deserting parent or no parents, but a1 least we would he in this position, that, having ascertained the address of the deserter, we could compel him to recognise his obligations in regard to his children or go to gaol. 1 shall quote a few eases showing precisely the nature of the cases helped and the urgent necessity that exists for the introduction of strong, compulsive legislation to compel these defaulting husbands and fathers to pay for the support of their wives and offspring. A.B. has four children under 13 years of age. She earns 6/ per week, by cleaning offices, and is practically (with her children) maintained by The State. It has been ascertained that her husband is living in Melbourne. Seven months ago he wrote to his wife from that city, in response to a commu- Dical om this office. In his letter he said. "I have no money and no work ; do you want to jail me." But inquiry shows that he is living with anothei woman, and the police save been asked to execute the warrant issued against him, 1 have him extradieted. This has not yet been done in view of the question of the cost involved. There is no doubt in this case that the man is earning good wages in .Melbourne ; be will not support his wife and family ; that he is keep- ing another woman ; and that The cost involved in his extra- dition is a primary reason for his having remained unmolested by the law. Anothei' case is that of a woman with three children. Tl also are supported by the State. The wife is young, but her state of lealth is believed to be the reason of her husband's r..iii. Previously be has sent her small sums of money, such in a period of three months. He is known to be living in Melbourne, and again the cosl of extradition milita- tes againsl action being taken to bring him before a court. In another case there is a woman with four children, the eldest of Whom lS - Old. She has been in receipt Of ;iid for som< siderable time. As the result of Departmen- tal action, the husband who had deserted was brought back, and on the case oming bi fori the court, the wife withdrew - the husband stated his determination to live with her and support bis family. Three weeks after he de- serted again, and was last heard of in Melbourne. other i - • that of a wife with two young children. The husband had deserted for some months, and the vi efforts to support ber children resulted in her health failing. Hi r husband was traced to Fiji, and was indued by the police there to pay £5 a month. He continued the payments foi a time, and then ceased work altogether. He is still in Fiji, 150 and the latest intimation is that bo earus only sufficient to sup- port himself. Another striking ease that occurs to me is that of a man, who held a good position in New South. Wales, disagreed with his wife, deserted her and his family of six children, the eldest of whom is 14, and obtained a very fair commercial position in Melbourne, where he is still known to be. The wife cannot pay the cost of extradition, and it is fully obvious from the circumstances that he will not recognise his obligations until he is compelled by law to do so. Then there is the case of a man who deserted his wife and two infant children and decamped to New Zealand. He was in the habit of cruelly beating his wife and otherwise ill- treating her. and after he had left she hesitated to take pro- ceedings to compel his return. She subsequently did so, in order to obtain State relief for her two children, as she was in ill-health and destitute. Extradition in this case was likely, and the husband, probably realising this, returned. He again proceeded to cruelly illtreat his wife, until for her own pro- tection, and also that of her childi'en, she was forced to go and reside with friends apart from him. There should certainly be some direct legal procedure to deal with a case of this kind. I could go on multiplying instances of such heartless deser- tion and cruelty, as they are found daily in the experience of my Department, but it is scarcely necessary. The features of all (or a large majority of tliem) would reduce themselves to the salient point that day after day men are able to desert their wives and families and go across to neighbouring Stales, where they are usually able to obtain good employment, and where they take to living with other women. And a most striking point is their evident reliance upon the law, which they have broken. t:> be ultimately a practical protection to, :mm1 safeguard for them. And unfortunately too, it is just as simple for them to cross the boarders of the States as it is difficult and costly under present conditions to have them brought back. What, then, would be the best remedy— or at least a means by which the criminal offence of wife and ehild desertion could be reduced to a minimum V What provision could be made so that the law. instead of being regarded by offenders as a means of evading their responsibilities — as indeed it actually appears to be — should become a practical intimidation to them and a security and support to their unfortunate wives. I say '•unfortunate" wives advisedly, for experience has taught me that, to put the matter in general terms, the legal pressure and 151 difficulties, if there are to be any. should be directed as against the husbands, and not as against tin- wives. I would surest that the law be amended, so that it would be possible for a wife, who knew beyond all doubt that her husband intended to abandon his family, to immediately — without waiting :><> days as required by law ar present in this State — take action. If. for instance, she knew (as she must very frequently be in a position to know* that her husband was going to a neighbouring State next day or next week, and she could make out a prima facie case of "presumed desertion" _ainst him forthwith, the law should be altered I assist her to do so rather than that sin- should be exposed to what is very often a probationary period of privation, so far as she and her children are concerned. This wife should lie able to go to a Court at once, and it might rest with the discretion of the latter as to whether proceedings should issne against the man at once or whether further and later evidence of desertion must produced. And when, again, i r Is known that the husband is in a nei'_ r hb appear, then the court, having found the desertion proved, could bas< -.■< order on the amount of bis nsi, _ made by 'he court in - . ,-. j, so that the man .mild be kepi under u itil be did obtain emploj Then the order could be n payable through tin- • his obtaining - ploymei • - rate fin d by the court, uti tue ' should be reduced. I, special pro 1 - legally n to m blllty of th- h - throwing up his tnploy- n a Couhl ordei [f such action 152 nage and in the making of an order based on his average (des- pite his present non-employment), then the man might be more inclined to conform to some extent to his social obliga- tions, or better still, he might reflect before he deserted in the first instance. Or if the man refused to consent to an order against him, after a prima facie case of desertion had been transmitted by a court in one State to a court in the State in which he Jived, then he should be immediately returned to the State in which the offence had been committed originally, and the offence being then proved against him, he should be commit- ted to prison. And as in such cases it is obvious that, the man chose to give up employment, which might have enabled him to obey an order rather than support his family, a severe penalty should be imposed. And in this connection it occurs to me that it might be possible for some arrangement to be made by which a man could be given employment while in gaol, of such a nature that it would be possible for a man, by industry, to earn sufficient to contribute to his family's support. So that even in gaol he would not be able to escape tin- consequences of desertion, nor could he, because there, avoid his social responsibilities I am well aware that in referring to this point I am opening up a very big question. But it does seem to be much more logical that a man should be compelled to assist in the main- U nance of his family, even though he is in gaol, than that the State should be satisfied with the punishment' of a man by lodging him in gaol for desertion, and at the same time itself undertake his responsibilities to a very large extent so far as Ins children, at least, are concerned. Now, if reciprocal relations of the nature I have outlined were established between the different States of the Com- monwealth, and New Zealand, it seems to me that, by concer- ted effort the combined States should be able to establish an institution — in nature a gaol — wherein all such offenders could be placed, and industrial occupations of a reproduc- tive kind made available. The introduction of such an in- stitution into any one State might not be justifiable econo- mically, but taken into conjunction with the existence of reci- procal relations, its existence :is a Commonwealth institution for the treatment of refractory deserters would serve a valu- able purpose, and would also possess another feature — in that it would tend to act as a preventive in relation to the offence of desertion. Whether such suggestions as 1 have made commend them- selves to the sence of this Conference or not, it is my emphatic 153 opinion that some very rigorous legal mean's must be intro- duced before the offence of desertion will seriously occupy the minds of deserters. Under present conditions they are able to view with complacency and satisfaction the successful results of their efforts to cast the responsibilities, which they have deliberately contracted, upon the state, regardless of the consequent social evils for which they are most certainly mo- rally accountable— evils such as I have previously mentioned — the frequent moral downfall of the mothers for the sake of the children— the inevitable destitution of both — the destruction of family life when the children have to be removed by the State. And the law, winch should be a deterrent, so far from being SO, appears in its present form to connive at the offence in that it does not contain proper facilities for checking the crime, and further, to assist the offender in that it affords so many means of • -.;i|„' to him. So I say. in the interests "! social order, on behalf of the community in general and of families in par- ticular, let u< together take such steps as will open the public eyn once and for all to the heinousness of this crime ; let us do our utmost to amend the law dealing with this point SO that it will no longer continue to be a protection to this class of criminal, but will operate, as it should, as universally and ;.- rigorously as the circumstances of o ; tin- women to have them in at all. He did not ■l that the woman's evidence, unsupported, and when denied by the man charged should be Taken as conclusive, or that he] mere ipse dixit should s< ttle the matter, but what he maintained was wrong was it present if a man simply stood mute and did not attempt to deny rhe charge, 3till unless the woman pro- duced some corroboration, the case must be dismissed. Thai was wrong, ami entirely one-sided. If any case was broughl ]<■■ should be decided on the balance of the evidence, and if the bench thought the evidence had greater weight on one sid • than the othei I gave the verdict accordingly, except in the of the woman, and in thos a il could not give a decision on rhe balance "t the evidence unless there was some corroboration oi the mother's statement. The mother said that such a thing true, and the man - 'thing, and the man went l'r>-'. Sub-sic lion 'lo mi' the same section read :" But shall not ad- ..■ him it the jue -hall be satisfied that The Time The child .- ego t ten the mother was ; , common prostitute. 1 1 « would like to I liy ;i wicked woman was to be '.eft :.. become more wici.. . he left to continue in her wickedness and left t an i to the Slate simp - a wicked WOD d to him tl is a way out of the difficulty, and tie had ■ t'li! .will.; provision: '-it hearing any in:- , laid agaii I putative father of an illegitimate child, a >r male person of over tin- age or appan i ige I! ■jhall, upon oath, admit or say that he bad ti > i 156 sexual intercourse with the mother of such child on any date, not being more than 294 days, nor less than 190 days prior to the birth of such child, the court may upon such Hearing and without infor- mation for the purpose order such person to contribute, according to his ability, towards the maintenance of such child, and towards the confinement expenses of the mother. And every person so ordered to contribute shall for noncompliance of such order, be subject to the same provisions and penalties~as in the case of a near relative." It was not entirely new because it had run the gauntlet of certain examinations, and it had the approval of the State Children's Council, and so far had the approval of the Government that it was contained in a Bill which had been drafted. He was not certain whether it was introduced or about to be introduced into the House of Assembly last session. The only difference between the clans, in the Bill and the one before them was Th;it the clause in the Bill made the age 18. If the section were carried it would do all they wanted. It would re- quire a considerable amount of influence to carry it. but if it were carried it would meet the difficulty that arose in many cases. The officer who appeared in court in connection with the work of the Department could tell them that many cases were dismissed be- cause the defendant alleged and sometimes brought witnesses to prove that other men had been intimate with the complainant. In such cases it was not right that the information should be dis- missed, but. rather that those who had made themselves the pos- sible father of the child, and as none of them could tell which of them was the father, and no one could saj which was the father, then they should all of them take The responsibility or Their action and share the expense. If a man broke into a house and he was accompanied by another man who waited outside to give warning of the approach of the police, tben both men were adjudged To be equally guilty, and suffered punish- ment but in the other case there was an offence against society. He was not putting it that the woman was seduced— a good wo- man led astray — but there was an offence against society, and the responsible persons most concerned could not be fixed ; there- fore let them divide The responsibility among them. IT would Tend to considerable advantage in 1wo other ways. In regard to The eollecTion of maintenance, at present the man came in some- times and said lie was out of work, and could not pay, and it involved sometimes a great deal of Trouble to prove to the satis- faction of the court that the man was not out of work. The mm might say that he was sick, and so out of work, but if there were three or four other persons who were intimates of his who were 1 likely To Take up his burden if he broke down, they would be quite ready to tell the Department that he was not out of work,. 157 but that lie was in work, and then he would not escape. Then there is the difficulty that was involved by people absconding. Of course if the Act were altered and they could get the money in the other States it would be so much relief, but it would be better to keep them in the State, and while it was an easy matter Cor men to abscond at present, it would be a more difficult matter with the amendment carried, because in these cases the parties were all intimate friends, and knew a great deal about each other, and they would keep a sharp eye upon anyone who wanted to get away if the others had to pay the contribution, and it would lie of great assistance in collecting the maintenance. At present if a woman is betrayed and the betrayer mentions the matter to his friends, the evil went on, but if the amendment were made, and the betrayer mentioned the matter to his friends, they would say "•thank you for the hint," and would keep out of the way, and the result would be that the woman who had lost her chastity would gel our sympathy from the opposite sex, and that would tend towards morality. He knew if it ever got into Parliament that members would say that it was preposterous, ami it was an attempt to fix a thing on a man who could not possibly be guilty. He did not think so. It would be said that there was only one person responsible, and unless they fixed upon that person they should not win the case. It would be said that English Law \\a< that they must prove the matter, and that unless it was proved the man must go free, and that it was better thai 10 guilty men should go free than that one innocent man should sutler, but in the case lie had mentioned wen- they innocent nun. They were all alike responsible, and they should be manly enough to put th'-ir hands in their pockets and pay. Of course, if they touched tie- pocket they touched the tinest feeling of the man, and if a man put himself in a difficult position he should be pre- pared to take tie- responsibility for having placed himself in thai position. Mi M ixted (N.S.W.) siat.Mi that it had been said that it was a wise child that knew its own father, but it seemed to him from the wording of the resolution the idea was to saddle a number of men with tin- responsibility of one man. If that took a coi i case the position was that the woman went into court and charged one man with being the father of her child. She was not given the power to name a number Of men, and the names of other mi n who might iii cerned did not come in. s<> far a> the Oou rerence was concerned the Idea contained in the motion really did because it waa hard to Imagine n normal case In which :i woman, after cha me man. would charge more than one man. or that the courl would take any notice of in r applica- Then there waa the question of corroboration, in New 158 South Wales that difficulty bad arisen, and it had been held that: although the woman should be prelected there were certain things in which the man must be protected, and he should not be at flie mercy of any abandoned woman who went to court. It was held that it would be sufficient if the corroboration we • made optional, and the court in a number o — s Lad decided that provided the court was satisfied, then the court in its discre- tion might dispense with corroboration and in the case of an adandoned woman where she charged more than otife man- with the offence, then the New South Wales Act gave the court power cither to dismiss the case or to insist upon corroboration. Bather than dispense with corroboration let it be optional to require much or little as might be deemed necessary in the particular c;;- Mr. MacMaster (T.) thought it was unfortunate that the second issue which was a big matter had been raised on the very important issue which was put before them in the interesting- papers. He felt about the question of wife desertion, and the collection of maintenance fees, it was little value expressing- opihions, because they all agreed that no matter how undeserving the woman or unsatisfactory as a wife, the man should not b • relieved of the responsibility for the support of his children, and they wanted to educate the community to that fact. A large sec- tion of the community seemed to hold that if a man had a dis- tinctly bad wife he was not greatly to blame if he went away and absolutely ignored that he was the father of her children. They all agreed about the desirableness of the collection of the fees. Before he left Tasmania he called upon the Attorney-General and asked him what the position was. Mr. Gray said the dis- patch of the Bill he had drafted had produced no result, but tin- Attorney-General told him that so far as he and his colleagues were concerned they were prepared to support any legislation which would bring about such a state of things which Mr. Gray described. The Attorney-General mentioned that the Government was Lining to the expense of about £20 to bring a man back from New Zealand. It was an aggravated case, and it was doing that apart from the question of whether it was worth while, but sim- ply to make an example of the man and to serve as a warning to others. It would be vastly better if they had some Inter-state and inter-dominion legislation to leave the man where he was. It was undesirable to bring a man back on every conceivable ground. The man was earning good wages, but if the woman got an order of the court the man was brought back, and if refractory he was imprisoned, and when he cam*- out he was out of work.. Then perhaps the parties had a reconciliation, and another child was horn, and the man being a born waster would disappear again and they repeated the programme, and were no forwarder. His 159 idea was that if the father was away it was better to allow hirn to stay at work because in many cases there was incompatability of temper, and in many cases the wife was as largely to blame for the breach as the husband. In Victoria he found from the Under-Secretary, that there was every readiness to proceed in the same direction, and it seemed that they were on the eve of a step in the right direction on a matter of vital importance. The other question was an overwhelmingly difficult one, and there was no ssibility of Parliament adopting any motion anything like so drastic. He sympathised with one remark of Mr. Gray. He did not see why the woman should be penalized and the wicked man i scape. If it was ro have the slightest effect and be seriously looked at Mr. Gray must strike out the age of 16 and put in some- thing considerably higher. The clause was not for the protec- tion of the ordinary innocent girl who was seduced. The clause was for the protection of quite a different class of woman, who had offended with a number of men, and the practical working of a clause like that, if the age were left at 16, would be in the of a woman who had associated with a number of rascally ■ . ibonds, who were not likely to pay, to place a premium on the seduction of young fellows who had just left school and knew nothing about the ways of the world. If they raised the age he willing to see the bad man penalized, although his companion was a very had woman, but he saw that the effect might be to implicate ;i possibly innocent lad of 10. Mrs. Kdwanls (T.) said with regard to the first part of the paper read by Mr. Glynn, sometime ago the Society lor the pro- tection of children in Hobarl had a sub-coinrnittee to draw up a lution for the ami ndment of the law dealing with the main- aee of deserted wives and children, and among other things Uie following resolution was drafted py the secretary and adminis- trator of the Charitable branch of (he aeglected children's depart- ment, and by one who had good inside information of what was led : " Your committee wish also to bring under your notice ill- desirability ■•»' addressing the Commonwealth Government, willi the view to their enact' - to enable Hie police of any State to sue for. demand, ami coltecl maintenance fees from any ons who have deserted their wives ,,,• cEildren, and that the Dominion of New /'-aland should he requested to reciproci Mr. Preparing told her that a uniform law passed by the Com- wealtb would he better than an ,\<-t carried by the stale llaments, and the stale Parliaments would authorise the police under their Governments t<> collect Hie fees, lie also told her as to Mr. MacMaster thai the Government in Tasmania w< re pared to tall in with them when the law was brought about. If they read over the wording of .Mr. Gra they would 160 ■see that it was not on tin- information of the woman that a number of men should be made to pay, but simply when a man brought in a companion to deliberately swear with the view of defeating the ends of justice that he also had been intimate with the girl, that the companion should be made to pay. When he swore on oath that he had also been in a certain position he should be made to pay. That was not on the information of the woman at all. She thought the last speaker overlooked that. The ques- tion had been discussed a great many times, and in their com- mittee and they had always been in hope that such a thing would be brought about, and she was absolutely in favour of it. She did not think the age should have any consideration. If a boy of 1G could be brought into court to swear falsely he should be made to pay for it. Miss Goldstein (V.) asked what was the amount for mainten- ance in South Australia. Mr. Gray— Under £3,000 a year. Miss Goldstein said they had an effective method of col- lecting in New Zealand under the Industrial Schools Act. In the year ended December 31, 1908. they had 1,545 children in their care, and they received £5.004. in Victoria they had about 3,609 children and collected about £1,900. That was an enormous dif- ference. In New Zealand in the 10 years between 1882 and 1892 the population increased from 540,000 to 672,000, and the com- mitments were 2,590. or 42 per 1.000. and during the last 10 years the population had increased from 756,000 to 960,000, and the com- mitments were 2,474, or .29 per thousand. In South Australia the figures were £1.130 for 1.300 children. Mr. Dongmore asked if Miss Goldstein had any information as to how it was done in New Zealand. Miss Goldstein said the information she had given was brought forward at a conference in Melbourne. Further informa- tion was being compiled inNew Zealand for them, and would be sent to them . In New Zealand all payments were enforced up to 8/ per week from the father, and the money was collected through the Department, and if the man failed to pay the matter was put in the hands of the police. Very often the application was insufficient, but if the man refused to pay he was brought before the court, and if necessary he was imprisoned. Mr. Dongmore (W.A.) understood that there would be little difficulty in New Zealand to compel those who should pay to pay, but it was easier in the States to desert. If they could come to any practical unanimity as to how the thing was to be accom- plished it would be valuable. He should have liked to have had some practical resolution proposed by Mr. Glynn, so as to see' what W9s n his eyes. O) two things he mentioned would. 161 if carried, be advantageous. He would mention a matter which mit.hr take a long time to get, and that was that deserting hus- bands should support their wi s, r en in gaol. He always held that that would be a most practical suggestion, but it would be sonm time before they carried it. He thought Mr. Green that in New South Wales, before a man could be called a d< ter he would have to be away so many days. He thought in South Australia. a1 i:.; r e in Western Australia, it was pro- vided : — •'Every near relation liable to maintain any child who unlawfully deserts such child, or leave without, or fails to pro- vide with adequate means of support any such child shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to imprisonment, with or without hard labour, for any term not exceeding 12 months. 1'pon complaint on oath by the Secretary or any other er of the Department that he has reasonable grounds lor be- lieving that any person has committed, or is about to commit an offence within the meaning of the two last preceding sectioi - this Act, any justice, if satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that such offence has been, or is about to he com- mitted may issue a warrant for the apprehension of the pe complained against, and such person may thereupon he appre- hended by any police offi ■ cordingly." if the wife went to the Department and <-.<'u] she believed her husband was going to clear out ami leave her and her children destitute, immediate action could he taken, and dealt with, and in that case they were in advance of Western Australia. That was an important matter, and mi" that so far as South Australia was concerned was all- right. It was not only a question of going to another State, but He could understand that in Western Australia, wit!) the great distances they could not folio nan up. '('lie wife sometime s • ! said her husband had deserted her. and when asked why she did nol com< in before she replied that she thought he e, i mi he had deserted her, ami the trouble was ■How tlie man, even to another State. They might bav< sorts of laws, bu1 unless they traced the man they could do noth- ing. I .i man was inclined to desert there was little hope E< and the Departmenl had p the children, it the man brought back h I to gaol, and when he came out lie clei away again, and the whole process had to be Hi- true itlcal result would be the result of the dis- cuBHioti ■ if it was he itisned the other states would tion, and b< satisfied there would be no trouble In ' tting into line with tl ti Irman i a nnd Mr. Maxt< d l< avi i old like to thank them for their a 162 Mr. Green (N.S.W.) said the New South Wales delegates had been only too pleased to be present at the Conference, but they had to be back in Sydney by Saturday. Miss Goldstein (V.) said if they secured the enactment of the resolution there were lots of cases they could put their hands on. They had to have proper supervision, for the law would do noth- ing' without proper supervision. Mr. Longmore (W.A.) asked if there were 1,500 deserted chil- dren in New Zealand. Miss Goldstein— No State children. Miss Spence— There' are 1,300 in South Australia. Miss Goldstein said in New South Wales they had 8,000 chil- dren and collected £3,000, and in Victoria 4,000, and collected £1.400. Mr. Gray (S.A.) said there were 1.300 State children in South Australia, and the maintenance fees came to £1,130. The Chairman said possibly some strong resolution from the Congress asking the law officers of the Crown in the various States to draw up some kind of enactment would help them in the matter. It seemed to him that the lay mind was unable to cope with it, the difficulties were so great. He would like to have a decisive utterance. Mrs. Edwards (T.) asked if the Congress was in favour of a uniform Commonwealth law or a uniform law passed by the States. The Chairman said Mr. Glynn's idea was a Commonwealth law. Mr. Gray (S.A.) said the matter was once almost brought be- fore the Federal Legislature, but the member who was going to draft the Bill showed it to the then Attorney-General, Sir .Tosiah Symon, and he told M Goldstein (V.) said the wording was a little indefinite. Would it not have been possible to submit the matter to some legal expert, and get him to draft a specific plan by which the scheme could in- carried out V If the various Governments were recommended to do that each might adopt a different plan, and they would be a- badly oft .,- ever. If they submitted a defi- nite plan to all the Governments they would know where they were. Mise § S.A.) said each State was to provide the requi- maehinery to cany out the resolution. Mr. Gray (S.A.) agreed with Miss Goldstein. He had the draft of a bill a copy of which was sent to all the States. The intention of the then Chief-Secretary (Hon. A. A. Kirkpatrick) was 1m request that tlie identical Hill might be passed by each of the States, it was so worded as to apply to all the Staies, and provided the machinery and the details of the work that had to be done. So far as lie knew ir had never got further than the pigeon bole of the Chief Secretary's Office, but it might be in the bands of all the states. lie wanted a recommendation from tin Congress that something should be done immediately. Mr. Longmore (WJA.) said lie bad read a copy of the Bill, and he senl it on to tie- Grown Law Officer's Department. The Crown Law Officers told him that the Commonwealth Amend- ment .\et of L905 met the difficulty. They might ask Mr. Glynn's advice. He moved the following addition— " And that Mr. P. Mi-m. Glynn b ' to favour this Congress with ins assists ice in tins connection " The amendment was li ••""l the motion. a> amended, carried unanimously. Mr. Cray (S.A.) laid • le the following clause, to ta the |.i. 3G of th< - Children's am of 1895, which, lie ed, should be sin- • [f on the hearing ot any in 164 formation laid against the putative father of an illegitimate child,. any other male person of over the age or apparent age of sixteen years shall, upon oath, admit or say that he had had sexual inter- course with the mother of such child on any date, not being more than 294 days, nor less than 190 days prior to the birth of such child, the court may, upon such hearing and without information for the purpose, order such person to contribute, according to his ability, towards The maintenance of such, child, and towards the confinement expenses of the mother. And every person so or- dered to contribute shall for noncompliance of such order, be subject to the same provisions and penalties as in the case of a near relative." Miss Spence (S.A.) with regard to the Clause objected to the age of 16 years. Such youths were apt to be the prey of worth- less women, and she would have nothing to do with the Clause unless the age was raised to 21 years, when a young man was sup- posed to know what he was about. Mr. Gray - lution with regard to the transferance of children from one Stale to anothei '-. There were children at Broken Hill fur instance, who \ mmitted to th< - rations of New Smith Wales, and they had to he brought through South Australia, and Vic- toria, to their destination. Mr. Green had written to him asking if the Government of South Australia would take them orer and deal with them as State Children at the expense of New South Wales, but tlir difficulties arose immediately that the South Aus- tralian ';■■ legal control over them, and the state unci! had no power to take charge of them or place them out. S ee children •■ i e -• ''t from South Australia to Victoria, or vi sa, but whil< :ould in a manner super- -•■ them tlu - ol. Mr. 1. Dgmore fW.A.) said h - i matter of administration ami each • tment did whal it could to assis; the other. Mr. _ Q would have hked to have asked Mr. <; nnder what conditions -"in.- s • v South Wales children placed out in the State. Oi >ccasions they had in- tain things being d »ne by children, especially i a the Darling Downs, and when tiny had made enquiries they had 0(] that thej weri Key Pouth Wales State children seul cut i

going to the authorities with little things. Miss Idstein (V.) said this was the first Inter-state Congri 5s aud it would lead to further action. She was hoping that the other 3 3 would follow the lead of South Australia in forming State Children's Councils and then they could form a nati body and thresh those questions out. It would I - wiser to have them thoroughly threshed out before going to the Governments. The Chairman thought they could agree upon reciprocal ac- tion without going waiting for legislation. Mr. Hawker iS.A.t said they could make it a condition that if ttu - other wanted to take the child awa\ from the State she should put it under I Depart ent of the State she was g and tha - - should be eommuniacted with in regard to the matter. Th< • rman thought if they left it to thi I - r mothers nothing would be done, but if the States agreed to- reciprocal tion they mig - ld enactment. Mi - - Q - the foster mothers desired to take . she could be allowed to do so ou the condition that would submit to the autl tj of the state she went to. T! id. AL MAGISTRAL I - M - ■• "Thai in the opinion of this Con- _ - - U Mag • principal town- ich State be app< deal with delinquent and neglected children." He bad had with M I ibout the matter, and that gentl man i.i . him a I pared by Dr. McKellar on the - Ject He wanted as mui void the police ha anything I lo with the children. The magistrate would b sou of ; • i the d strict, and would be - one I - apply, in his district the ;• s, and mly smj that ti mm be State child. If the New South \V;il. o d dt with ou spo - ■ .th the boy. and perhaps thai Id have 1 i the first pla Tie irt 1'ire '.\n. and se ns i I , it i 5 now, and settling ar »uud I 170 towns. As a rale they were tbe fathers of families, and wou!d be only too willing to take such positions and nil them efficiently. They wanted to get the people right through th<> State to take am interest in the children, and by having those gentlemen in the country districts they would do that. They sent those children often into tbe country, and if there was someone on the spot to deal with, those who became refractory and advise them it would do a good work. Mr. Longmore (W.A.) had much pleasure in seconding the mo- tion. In Western Australia every Police Magistrate was a spe- cial magistrate to, under the State Children's Act. and in the event of a special magistrate not being available two justices of the peace could take his place. Miss Goldstein (V.) said that in Victoria they had perhaps two or three magistrates attached to the one court, and if the children were remanded they probably came before another man, and not the same man who started the case. They wanted the child to be dealt with by the same magistrate Tight through. On the motion of Mr. Ferguson the debate was adjourned. The Congress adjourned until next day, at 10 a.m. Friday Morning. DISABILITIES OF ILLEGITIMATE CHLDREN. Mr. Smeaton, M.P. (S.A.) said — "1 have followed the proceed- ings of this conference with a great deal of interest. I would like to congratulate Mrs. Williams on her paper which has main- tained the traditions which this conference has made for itself. Mr. Glynn has given an admirable address from the point of view of the lawyer so far as the disabilities of children and the respon- sibilities of parents are concerned. I had not thought anything of them until Mr. Gray mentioned that I was to speak upon them. The first thought that strikes me is that human nature is revealed in its strength and its weakness almost at one and the same moment in the treatment of those wmo have the misfortune to come into the world under the ban of illegiti- macy. The heart and the head both say that the child should not suffer because of the unsanctioned act of tbe parents. Because whatever law, human or divine has been broken by the parents, the child has not broken any in its advent into this world, and the sense of justice which is inherent in most. 171 people refus< - -addle it with blame for what it cannot help. That is what 1 believe to be a fair statement of how the sane feeling of the world regards tins question. But what are the farts of the world's treatment of the unfortunates. Do they not disclose a practice very different from its theories '.• The illegitimate cbild is nut only separated from its rightful place in the father's life, with all the disa- bilities which follow upon the want of recognised family . ssociations, but unless special provision is made, it has no right to any portion to whatever wealth its father may p0SS< ss in the event of his death, and all that can be legally claimed for it is a certain small sum for maintenance. We are very proud of that part of the American Declaration of Indepen- dence in which it is stated that "all men are born free and equal." The thinking portion of the world has adopted it as a charter for human liberties in every land, and, like the knights of old. are prepared to swear their fealty to its truth on their swords— as The Americans did. These are the appear- es, and the sentiment of the thing, but what has been the substance of the world's conducl ? Just what the substance of the American conduct has been. Having affirmed the freedom and equality of men. and fought f< r it too. they have denied it in their social customs anil in their laws as we have done, as all the world appar- ently has done in the treatment of illegitimate children. I am reminded of my friend the late J. Z. Sellar. a stalwart democrat and a man with a very large and kind heart who I once heard say " I believe in the brotherhood of man with all my soul, but I bar the Chinaman." So mosl people believe in the equal right of all children to, as has been so well exper- ienced by the President "a happy anil well-trained youth." But, while in God's great family there are no "step bairns." Mosl of his children have looked askance at theother portion of the family which lisps the " father " shibboleth imperfectly, and have made them to be "outsiders" in a very perfect • -. Now I believe with all my soul that the world is gr< Ing saner and better. 1 shall not stop to enquire whether the change ifl being wrought evolutionarily, or by the demands of a clamanl m ise of justice in those who have at last real- ised that they have a righl to an equitable apportionment • E the world's _ I. And in this latter may be included the desire of many to yield to claims which they recognise to be Just, it may be the result <<( each of these in a degree, bur 1 believe II bns 'is jeep source in the love f humanity which I has tanjE ht the world tie . *t. 172 I agree with Miss Goldstein in her belief that LOVE must and does rein iu the world. I believe too that Dean Latham that in tlie religion of Jesus Christ will be found the inex- haustible reservoir, "The deep sweet well of love v of which the poet has sung. And it is from those people who are touched with the spirit of Christ that we must expect the work and legislation which will give to the children, however they may be born, those conditions which will yield them the rights of the Children's Charter. " the right to a happy and well-trained youth." But the subject before us is also an inquiry for the best methods of enforcing the responsibility of both parents. A most desirable thing to know, but how diffi- cult to decide. I was greatly impressed with Miss Goldstein's declaration that whereas men and women are trained for every position in which they aspire to make a living, in this most important of all callings, parenthood, they have no training. I am much in agreement with that view, although I also see that nature teaches a good deal to parents that no amount of the instruction of the schools would convey to them. But the difficulty of this part of the question lies in the fact that ille- gitimate parenthood is not only a " bar sinister " to the child, hut a bar to that family life in which alone there can be a loving and constant recognition of the responsibilities of both parents in the upbringing of children. With this absent, is there any declaration of law, any claim of the law which can give to the child that of which the acts of the parents has de- prived it at birth. I think not. I am not going to theorize on methods of bringing the parents into the wedded relationships which would restore the rights of the child, perhaps before it had realised the loss of them. It is not always possible to do it. and sometimes would lie the last thing in the world to try to do in the interests of all concerned. And so excluding this, because it is so frequently impossible to do it in justice to all concerned. I think we are forced to back upon the law, not in this case a schoolmaster, but a judge, and, if need be a police- man. This position to which I feel we are forced to come is, to me. the most unhappy of all in the already handicapped lot of the illegitimate child, for the law may deal with the father, the mother, but it can never restore to the child the full joyous home life of the child born in happy wedlock. What in the recognition of rights of inheritance : in the judicial assess- ment of maintenance : iu the provision of foster parents, or a " home." can never compensate the child for the loss of the right to a father's heart and home, or what, can the State provision of these do to create, or restore, to the hearts of 173 fathers and mothers the sense of parental duty ? Very little indeed. There may be causes in which law inspires a sense of duty, of responsibility, but I believe they are few and far between ; and I think that the very most we can expect from law is to create a healthy fear of the consequences of neglect to do what it says must be done in the provision of mainten- ance and the just apportionment of estates to children whether born in wedlock or not. I am glad to see that legis- lation is tending in this direction, and I hope that this Confer- will strengthen the hand of the Governmen of Australia in their efforts to do justice to the children. I am not going to say one word about the nature of the punishments which the law should provide for those who in this regard so wicked- ly deny their responsibilities. The fact of illegitimate parent- hood, pel - s beyond the reach of law, and it is difficult to see how that aspect of the question can be legislated for with- out ■- -"!• of doing a worse thing, but pains and penal- - and the laws harrassments should certainly be dealt out to those who. being able to discharge the merely financial obligations of illegitimate parenthood meanly leave it to be born by others. In this connection while I think it is well that various St - of Australia should look after their own chil- dren and make their own laws for their control and all that accompanies it, the question of dealing with delinquent parents, whether legitimate or illegitimate should be the sub- ject of Federal or Inter-State agreement, and 1 am in hope that tin's will be one of the results of this conference. Th( I of this question which may not lie within the sphere of the State Children's Department's interfere Inn which appeals to me. and I am sure to many in the ''ou- nce and demands our interference as citizens, It would not only it.- rash but wrong fur us who are acting in loco iiti- in so many thousands of children i>> say thai the poor litil" illegitin efi are all the offspring of heartless parents who wilfully den ponsibilities. The instincl >( parent!. iod Is usually accompanied by the home making . and for every man or woman wile he,-, lines' a parent and wilfully denies the responsibilities of parenthood, there are very many who through circumstances an- unable to fulfill them. I do no1 desire to enlarge "a tins, for wet to do so I would bave to deal with a very large question some- I outside the scope of our present inquiry, bul it is within knowledge thai much of the illicit Intercourse of tl uraged by the precarious and ill-paid nature of the employment in wicb the man especially '. ami tho 5 e of us who are active] ion to compel the 174 payment of what is called "a living wage," have this very thing which we are discussing this morning- as an important aspect of our endeavours. Any condition of society which blocks the happy consum- mation of the highest function with which God has endowed His children is wrong, and any nation which neglects to deal with such conditions is in the fair way of writing " Icharod " across its charter. Along with the suggestions which will undoubtedly be forwarded to the Governments of these States as the result of this Conference, there should undoubtedly be one affirming our belief that the establishment of a living wage would do much to decrease that illegitimate parenthood which is so hurtful to the welfare of the nation. I trust that some very practical result will follow from the discussion this morning. Dr. Helen Mayo said yesterday they had a resolution before the Cougress in regard to the way in which persons charged with being the father of a child could defeat the ends of justice. She moved "That in the opinion of this Congress any man charged with the parentage of any illegitimate child shall be compelled to reply to the charge on oath or stand convicted." Mrs. Edwards seconded. Mr. E. W. Hawker said the resolution in another form was proposed the previous day and he strongly dissented from it then and he saw no reason to change his opinion on the matter. He put it then that if a man was charged with being the father of a child and he did not deny the charge it would be taken for granted that he was the father, but if he went into the box and the chances were that even if he were the father of the child he would deny it and commit pergury. The motion opened the door to blackmail. The question was one of the most difficult they had before them, and it was a question that had been considered by some of the ablest men in the world and still no solution had been found. They wanted prevention more than cure, and there was a case in which women themselves had infinitely more power than men. So long as women would admit to their homes men whom they knew not to live moral lives, so long would men lead immoral lives. He was quite certain that a movement of that kind must come from women. It had been asked why should the punishment be more severe on the women than on the men. It was a big question to touch upon. The passions of males were infinitely more stronger and more developed than those of women. He knew onough on that question from reading that the passion in women was very often not developed at all and the whole difficulty arose It was the strongest passion in the animal kingdom because upon it depended the continueuee of the race. Anyone who went into 175 the questiou of breeding stock knew that. He believed that che punishment of man ought to be more severe than it was, but it was a social question more than anything; else, and unless the women refused to acknowledge men who lived loose lives unci refused to allow their daughters to marry them there would be no solution to the question. Dr. Mayo said Mr. Hawker had raised the question of admitting immoral men to their homes, it was a difficult question. How were they to know. He had raised the question of passion in men and women. He was right it was stronger in man than in woman as a rule, but they did not want to think that because if that a man could give way to it in an unprincipled way. There was a legitimate way and if men could not control their passions they should marry. But it was always contended by men that they had not sufficient income. She admitted that there were great disabilities but al the same time the law should aim at the right thing and not condone the wrong. - Edwards said she approved of the resolution. She was nol until the day before that the law was that if a man stood dumb in the Court and because he would not say he was guilty, or cot therefore the case was frequently dismissi He should be made to say whether he is guilty or not and if he would not tin- supposition was that he was guilty. If he knew that the law was that he had to plead, he would probably plead not guilty, and then they would have to prove that he was guilty. If a man knew that he need not plead he would not do so. but she thought if a i id dumb in the Court and would not say he was guilty or not. the supposition was that he was guilty. Miss gpence said dumbness was such strong proof of his guilt that lie should he con vie!., d on that and not temped to commit perjury. Mr. Gray said he had moved a resolution somewhat upon • ■ lines the day before, but not so drastic. His resolution was thai the necessity for corroboration should nol be maintained unless the man had denied the charge on oath, then it should be necessary for the woman to produce corroboration. He saw no reason to alter his opinion Mr. Hawker said the matter was one largely for women and they should not admit into their house:'. of known immoral lives. He wished the women would follow thai out. but a man by simply maintaining silence when a woman declared on oath that ho was the father of her child could escap( the brand, escape the penalties ami escape being shut out of the hone ipectable pei •' Ele said distinctly thai for a Court to dism when they had an oath on one side and absolutely nothing on the other « |ust. The Court al present '-anno* it : it was the law an ! th i Court musl dismiss the Mr 176 Hawker said if they forced a man into the box be would in -ill probability commit perjury. He was sorry Mr. Hawker bad such a poor opinion of men. He had not, and he thought that in a great many eases a man put on his oath would say " I admit that 1 placed myself in such a position that 1 may he the father of the child." Supposing a man did commit perjury, was that any reason he should escape from what he had already done. Was there no other law that suggested to men thai they should commit perjury. What about the custom's laws ? How much perjury was commit- ted every day to escape custom's duty. Mr. Hawker— That gives away your argument thai i e would not commit perjury in this case. Mr. Gray admitted that some men would commit perjury bur, inasmuch as they passed custom's laws to escape which, men would commit perjury, they should not say because some men would commit perjury that they would not dispense with the need of corroboration. He wished perjury was more frequently punish- ed than it was. He did not oppose the resolution and he thought if it were carried that the result in all probability would be the necessity for corroboration would be brush on one side unless the man had denied the paternity on oath. If the man denied the assertion on oath it was necessary that there should be some corroboration, and unless it could be adduced the case should be dismissed. As to the leading to blackmail he did not think there was any greater risk of blackmail if corroboration was dispensed with than at the present moment. At present any woman could assert that it was the child of a certain person and make it disa- greeable to that person and unless lie was a man of good charac- ter some of the obloquy would stick. They could not help that but the thing was to avoid the very appearance of evil. Mr. Glynn said if anything was to be done it should be on the lines suggested by Mr. Gray. It Avould not be well to say that because a woman made a charge on oath in a Court of Justice the man would have to go into the box and deny it. He knew many honest men who were the poorest witnesses and unde. examination by a clever lawyer would be made to look like an ass If anything was to be done they should not put it in the power of certain girls to lay a charge againsl her employer and force him into the box. Tbey should alter the provision regarding corrobor- ation. The provision of Mr. Gray Lad a great deal to recommend it. Mr. Gray said that on the oath of the mother alone there should be a sufficient primae facie; case for the man to go into the box to deny it, but even then the oath of the mother alone was not to tell against the oath of the man. However much he sympathised with them they must remember that all women in the b< x were not truthful, lie remembered 2." years ago then 177 was a woman in the Court with a face like a Madonna and the lawyers felt inclined to deal in perfumed phrases for fear of sully- ing that angel. The man was convicted. Later on she laid a charge againsl her father and he was whipped and then the woman was convicted of perjury They had to be careful because men, when nought else, beguiled the heart Of wisest S rtomon, and made him bend And made him bow, to the God of his own wines. .Miw Goldstein said the object of the resolution was to proted young girls against unprincipled men. Those girls were generally under the age of 21 years and she would like to see it provided that seduction should be a criminal offence when the seducer was over the ag< I 2d years and the victim under the age of 21 years. They should protect young people Just in the same way that they protected property, they protected money or landed property until the ■■■- I 21 years. the assumption being that persons had not sufficiently matured judgment to decide for themselves as to the disposal of their property until after they reached the age of -'1 years, and in the same way they should protect the girl on the rnosl precious property she possessed — her .-hastily, and they should protect under 21 yars. and if girls under that .i- ime victims to men over : ag< of •_'! years criminal proceedings should be instituted. She would like to refer to the statements made by Mr. Hawker about this matter lying so largely in the hands of w n, and that women should not admit men of known immoral character into their homes. She wondered if he knew how many women would like to take such a stand but w< by their men folk who would nol allow their wives to refuse admission to men for private and commercial sons. There were many women who wanted to refuse admis- sion to their drawing rooms to certain men. but were nol allowed to do so by their husbands. It was not a matter for women entirely. Mr. McMaster thoughl women wen- largely to blame. .\s a teacher in secondary schools i I young men he knew thai among them there was the idea thai a bad reputation was a good social asset in regard to the subjecl under consideration be had had a conversation with Mr. Gray and he himself thoughl it was eminently desirable that the man should be put »ath with the proviso thai lie should h amined on the only matter be fore th< ' >. tf they wenl beyond thai he was with Mr. Haw- ker. There were some thoroughly disreputable solicitors, and it was to them thai undesirable girls took their cases, and it was a terrible prospect to th i ge man who had done - ething not particularly bright, to know thai any disreputable girl and solicitor could tak< him Into Oourl and examine him on 178 matters with which he was not charged, and drag out of his litV something he «liit not want revealed. Cross-examination in these cases should be limited to the point before the Court, and if so lie saw no objection to it, but it* a woman was to' be allowed to blackmail a man because he shrank from having his whole history exposed it would be unjust, and he did not think Parlia- ment would sanction anything that made it possible. Dr. Mayo, with the eonsent of Mrs. Edwards, withdrew the motion, and substituted the following, which was also seconded by Mrs. Edwards — "That in the opinion of this Congress the de- mand for corroboration of the evidence of the mother in affiliation cases should he discontinued, unless the alleged father denies his liability on oath, cross-examination being 'confined to the matter in hand." Mr. Hawker said Mr. Gray seemed to think he had referred to immoral nun who had ben brought before the Court. He did not limit his remarks to them. Women knew what kind of lives some men were leading. The fact that men had sewn their wild oats was quite enough to show what kind of men they were, and there was also the man who considered himself a devil among women. One great mistake was for mothers not to tell their daughters of the ways of the world. He knew one woman who had pasted over certain words in the Bible so that her daughter would not read them. Mr. Glynn said not much harm was likely to result from the resolution. Although he did not favour it. He had not too- much faith in human credibility. He wished he bad Lambroso's great work on Female Criminology, to read what he said about it. He was sorry that there was a great hick of the sense of the virtue of truth in both sext s. They seemed to be training their children to be liars. Children were absolutely truthful — The clearness of their eye was proof, but stupidly the parents taught them deception. Instead of explaining things to a child they got rid of difficult questions by evasion, and overcame their importunities by deceiving the little ones, and so they taught the child to tell lies. Mr. Hawker did not want to shield the man. From a young man he had been strongly against fellows being allowed to lead lives that the women there would not approve of. His experience however, told him that Parliament would not pass the resolution. It was a difficult question, but it had to come before Parliament to have any effect. Mr. Smeaton, M.P.. thought Parliament would see the jus- tice that the same should be demanded of nun as was demanded of women. That a man going into Court by keeping silent was able to set the law at defiance was against the instincts of jus- 179 tire. It was common knowledge that black-mailing had been done and would be done, and rimy could not make a law that would prevent it. but while they had that view they should not shield men to su<-h an exteni that injustice was done to women. If they demanded that men should go into the box and declare on oath that he was not gnilty, they put him in the position involved in every oth< - in which the law was concerned. He might see more in it than women saw. but they should demand from one what they demanded from the other. ( 'arried. AGE OF CONSENT. Mis- Goldstein moved— "That seduction shall be a criminal offence when the seducer is of or over the age of 21 years and the victim under the age of 21 years." They should insist that -iris under the age of 21 should be protected to the same extent as their money or lauded property was protected. Mr. Glynn said be would not like to set' the resolution carried. It referred to criminal offences. Miss Goldstein meant the tirst seduction, but if six- said any other seduction there would be more work for the Courts. They hail to deal with facts. To say that a man not being a hardened criminal should be punished for yield- ing to one of the strongest promptings of the human race was a dangerous practice. In most states the age of consent was pretty far advanced, considering the climate. In most of the States it was Hi or 17. and a child matured at 14 or 15. There was a provision that the Information must be laid within two months or the person c >uld not be convicted, it was a question whether that should b.- amended or not. They should remember that girls were liable to temptation as well as men. and a man might be an upright citizen except thai he had not the moral courage or sense of honour to resist temptation, and it would not be well to brand him a- a criminal all his life Miss Goldstein said men who were likely to be upright in oilier ways would aol lie touched by the resolution. Hard cases made bad i<\\>. Mi. Glynn was (haling with hard cases, and she was dealing with very bad The subject was going before the Victorian legislature, and she would like to have tin- support of the ( !ongr< M ra. Williams si coiided. Mr. Glynn said hi those humanitarian matters they should proc I by degrees. In mosl of the States Ehere was the stupid provision thai there could be n<> information Cor seduction unless there was loss of service, n wrould be an instalment of this prfn ciple to take away the provision relating l" loss Of service. 180 Miss Spence said seduction was ,1 very delicate question to dear with. She considered it to be the act of a man who gradually undermined by flattery, lying, and deception the virtue of a young woman. That was disgraceful, but the manner in which two young people yielded to temptation was not very bad after all. She would rather have the child of two young persons who loved each other although they were not married, than the child of mar- ried persons who did not love one another. It was love, not the sanctity of marriage, and when she saw the beautiful children with foster parents — she was glad to see the love raid care of persons to the children — she thought the State was enriched by those children, and let them avoid casting any shame upon the children nor guilty of anything at all. She had known women who wanted to adopt a girl and said they would like the child or respectable parents who were married, and she had said if she knew the circumstances as well as she did she would take an illegitimate, because they did not get, except in the most infini- tissimal numbers children of respectable parents. It was only eases of great misfortune that brought the children of respectable parents to their care, children taken from unfit guardians were far worse children than children of the young misguided parents. No one thought more highly of marriage and the joys of mother- hood than she did. It was Mrs. Brown who said no child was an orphan. She was sorry all the children were not with their own mothers, but she was glad they won the love of the foster- mothers, and she was glad they were successful in keeping close the ties between the mother and child. An eminent physician, writing to her for a copy of her book sent her two little pamph- lets written on the subject, and all the idea was to take the child away and allow the mother to rehabilitate herself, and not allow anyone to know she had a child. If they reformed the child it would be through the child. Any mother of illegitimate children who afterwards married always asked for her children, and if she had a respectable home the child was sent there. It was the law of inh< ritance, working upon public opinion that intensi- fied the stigma of illegitimacy— the law of inheritance whereby- illegitimate persons cannot inherit the same as the other heirs. All that working <>n public opinion made the position of illegiti- mate children worse than it should be. A woman might claim for seduction when she was insi as bad as the man. r' tenpence a day for each child until reaching the age of fourteen (boysi and sixteen (girls). Ten other smaller missions exist known as Sunday Island Protestant Mission, and the Solvation Army Home. In ail only lid girls and 00 boys are found. Recently several Nuns have proceeded to the Catholic Homes, and already more advance is being made with th< ni't to train the girls in domestic work. More satisfactory work lias been acomplished amongst the boys as those in charge are lay Brothers, qualified to beach carpentering, and S, so that the teacher Of their daily toil is an exam- ple to them "f Christian living. The only figures as to results available are not very encouraging. Out of thirty-four girls placed in service, nine only turned out well, three did fairly well, ten turned out badly one lias been lost sight of. and eight have married. In connection with the Sunday Island .Mis>ion ,is fair as I ,an learn, there is absolutely no one avail- able to teach domestic arts. The girls are removed from I ossible prostitution, and so far. tin- work ends as far as the training is concerned. One of the most important duties of 3tat< - to prevenl increase of half castes. Every efforl should !»e made by such a Conference .'is tins to create a healthy public opinion on the conduct of those white men. who at present are largely responsible Cor 'lie Increase of balf - The Government has declared "Reserves" in various parts of the State where aborigines can live, and it ly forbidden for white men to be found on I - t i. .ii 11. The section reads tints : It shall no', be lawful for any person other than an aborigine to enter or remain, or i>e within the boundaries of n reserve for any purpose what- ever, unless he - Superintendent or a person acting under his direction. Hon 1" •• Any person, who without lawful authority - ■_ •■- or remains upon a reserve, or removes an abor or causes or persuades an nborigine to remove from a tall ■ .. guilt] ot ai offence against A.ct, 186 This reads satisfactorily, but Inspectors are few --Reserves are scattered here and there, and it is easy enough to make this regulation a dead letter, but if only the same feeling that ostracises a white woman who becomes the mother of an illegitimate child could he produced towards the station owner, who is the father of the child, ten times more handicapped in the struggle of life, half the battle would be won. The law makes the father of an half caste child maintained in a Govern- ment Institution liable for its maintenance, but who is there or ever can, give any evidence to prove the paternity of the child ? The mother's evidence alone is not accepted. The lot of the half caste girl especially is a hard one. Granted she is trained to earn, her living, yet she is marked out from her fellows wherever she may be as a child with immoral paren- tage. Wherever she may go white women and men pass by " on the other side." Should she be in service, generally speaking, white girls would not take positions in the same house. Should sickness force her into a hospital, the other inmates leaA'e her more or less alone. It would lie impossible to get her into a position in a shop or as typist. Her chances of marriage are very few— she is above the aborigine — she is below the white man in social status, and there is no chance of anyone not knowing the brand she carries through life of "half caste." This being so, it seemes to me, the State would do better work and provide- a happier existence for this unfor- tunate class by providing a settlement for them. Sufficient land should be set apart in a district near enough to the centres of population to make agriculture payable. To start with the ordinary institutional life would have to exist, but both boys and girls should be primarily trained for farming life. In Dr. Roth's report in 1905, he says in reference to the District of Carnarvon : — '"There are five hundred half castes according to last year's census, and unless something is done for them their future will be one of vagabondage and harlotry." The Carnarvon Resident Magistrate said : — " They will spend their lives in gaol or in prostitution unless something is done for them." This in plain words means that the girls and boys should grow up together so that happy marriages should be possible, and the girls saved from the other a tent- ative of prostitution. If instead of attempting to train these girls with a view of making domestic servants of them, they were trained in domestic life with a view of making happy farmers' wives of them. I believe the State would solve the problem of doing the best that could be done for them. As 187 time went by the older ones would marry and would enter the home prepared for them l>y the hoys who had been at work ooa tiie land since fourteen years of age. The Government would have the financial responsibility, but encouragements would have to be given to stimulate work and make the men inde- pendant of assistance with their holdings in due time. We have colonies of German fanners in our midst, we have a settlement of Lutherans, they marry amongst themselves, they keep to themselves, and I see no reason why it should not be possible to have such a settlement for half castes. It could not of course be compulsory for the girls or the hoys to remain on the settlement after a certain age, but the feeling that they wen- free from the scorn and buffeting of a hard world, in their own little township would tend to keep them there and draw them hack to it as their home. It will prob- ably he said that marriage between people of low moral tone w old produce offspring of lower character, still thrt would have to he tested. I do not know of any reliable information re the Eurasian population of India, hut one does hear inciden- tally of Eurasians in different positions doing credit tc them- selves in spite of the disabilities under which they exist. I do not put this idea forward as a business proposition. The Government is already spending a considerable sum of money (£3,000) without any financial return— the same money might he used to try the possibility of encouraging independance of ■ haracter, and the building up of homes. This paper has not I. eon tempted to deal with the problem as it exists in the other states, it has been most difficult to get the little inform- ation here presented about Western Australia, hut I hone the representatives of the other states will he able to give the alts of tlie work caried out in other Institutions. The religious side •.;• the question 1 have not considered. To me the outstanding characteristic of the half caste problem is the practical ostracism, at least of the girls, and all efforts at improvement should be aimed at making their lives more endurable if not happier, rather than turning them into cut and dried domestic servants, whose chief temptation will be towards an immoral life because of their inborn native and isolated exista] I hav.- omitted 'o mention thai on several stations very con- siderable efforts have Peon made to Improve the conditions of castes by the owners themselves. Mrs. McLeod, of • Minilya" had no less than 23 children gathered together for education and training, and there are other instances of simi- lar privat,. philanthropic efforts. Though this 'work is pleas- ant to contemplate, private efforl cannol cope with the •- i o.ii Ion, 188 I bad a letter from the gentleman who is devoting his life to this particular work in the north-west asking if I knew of a go I active woman who was prepared to give her life to the work among the half castes on Sunday Island. It is a difficult place, he cause she is so isolated. There is not a white woman for miles around, and the gentleman is the only white man on the island, so it would take a woman with great fortitude to live there with them. They want to build a house for the girls at Sunday Island so that they can take the girls in. At present they are compelled to run wild on the Island because the gentleman thinks it might bring disgrace if he brought them in. .Mr. Gray iS.A.) said it would lie within the recollection of members of the Council that they had as a member Mrs. Browne, who died not long sinci . She was greatly interested in the work of the Council, and when she removed from Adelaide and went to live with her husband at Nullator Plains she wrote to the Council about a* little half-caste girl named Dina. An effort was made to bring the child before the magistrate and have her committed, but when her case was brought before the magistrate he thought it was not within the province of the Department to look after half-caste children. There were so many other half-caste chil- dren that needed protection that he thought if he committed one it would lead to an influx, and he did not commit her. Mr. Brown had recently written to him as follows : — " Referring to the subject of aboriginal children, more especially to half-caste girls, there should be some legislation" on the matter as soon ;>s possible. There are a good many half-castes on the west coast, and no doubt many more in other parts of the State. The whole question of the treatment of aborigine, and half-castes in particu- lar*, should be reviewed by the State Parliament, and something done to rectify the disgraceful state of things existing at present. It is no use attempting to deal with blacks under the law as we are treated. They must be dealt with as children, and legislation passed, not only to protect them from vicious whites, but from themselves ; and a commission should be appointed to travel and take evidence on the subject, on which useful legislation could be leased. The Western Australian Government has a stringent law relative to the position of white men and black women, which it would be well if the South Australian Parliament took a note of. There is no encouragement as things are now for any one to take in hand the bringing up of aboriginal or half-caste children, as there is no legal claim upon them, and it is therefore impossible to keep them from wandering about among the old blacks ; and in such circumstances as these no one is likely to undertake feed- ing, clothing, and training these children. The most serious thing is the position of the half-caste girls, who, if left with the 189 blacks, are certain to become prostitutes. The half-caste Diua, whom Mrs Browne wrote to you about, is now at Nullarbo, but she has arrived at that age That no training will be of any avail unless she is removed altogether from the influence of the blacks, and it is a great pity she was not committed when brought be- fore the Bench at Fowler's Bay. It is certain that after a time she will go away, and there is no power to prevent her. Should she tin >o she will not lie allowed to come back into the house _ i : I'm- what is the use when your authority depends upon tin- whims of ;; half-savage child and the vagaries of the blacks by whom she is surrounded ': 1 trust Parliament will soon take the matter np, as it is a crying shame that something more has not been done long ago to help this poor fast dwindling race." Miss Spence S.A.) said the greatest danger was that the half- caste w< uli! _ k to the blacks on the mother's side. That ',va< the danger in uiiis. and the hoys, when they came of age. When they might !>■• useful they were enticed away or attracted by the nomad life which was in their blood, which was not coun- ;. .1 by tin- training they received. .Mrs. Gover's idea was very promising, and was more extensive than anything they had done, and if might effecl something. What they had done seemed to have, ffected nothing. When in America she made the acquain- tance <>!' Frederick Douglas, a half-caste, and nearly met Booker Washington, who was an example of the greatest intellect and moral qualities developed in the child of a white man by a black mother. In regard to tin- marriages of half-castes she thought they might bring forth a superior race. The manner in which Booker Washington had raised thousands of his race to respec- tability ami position was something that would put the possessor of the presenl Caucasian blood to shame. She desired to know if th.- children who turned out badly returned to their mothers. Mis. Cover (W.A.) said there was no power to take children right away. After 16 years of age the half-caste could do as they pleased, l.ut undi r 16 they were under tin- control of the Protector, and if they ran away they were brought back. They brought them in from Peak Hill, and there was a half-caste school where there wen- p; girls who were kepi by the Government Mr. Longmore (W.A.) -aid he would like to hear of somethi - from their Queensland friends. There was .-. great work carried on iin. lb- had had the pleasure of listening to an address in in a gentlemen from Queensland about the mission work, in -rii Australia the mission w missionary who came from Germany in the early days to educate the blacks, but they were not successful. The State subsidized all the mis- siois. and paid them an annual grant. In Torres Straits they had several schools tor aborigines and half- astt s, and the teachers were appointed and the salaries paid by the State. Ail the schools and mission stations were subject to inspection by the State school inspectors, who reported on them. .Mrs. Williams (Q.) said she was sorry she did not know much about tlie question, as regards her own State, she did not know that it was one of the subjects. She should know something about it because she was the daughter of one of the early mis- sionaries who went to Queensland in the forties, and tried to help civilize the blacks. She had been so busy trying to make the way easier for tile white children that she had overlooked the half- castes. Thej hid several successful mission stations. She under- stood two of them were purely Government institutions, and the others were subsidized. They belonged to the various denomina- tions. The Moravian mission, which represented the Lutherans was most successful. It was that mission that all those years ago a band of men out to try to civilize the blacks. The Go- vernment institution was most successful. There was a State school, and the boys and uirls and half-castes were educated thoroughly in the State school curriculum. Sin- knew from ex perience that the girls were in meat demand for domestic service after tin y bad finished their course at the school. There was a greater demand than the supply. They had not found that they wanted tway to Hie wilds again. In sonic cases they did. but not the half-castes, they were more manageable and civilized. Altogether the work was most successful. Otic could not 'i< ip feeling a regret that the work being done among them was so Ian in being commenced. They were a dying race as last in Queensland as anywhere, and they always felt that they had not been perfectly just to them. The white people came to their coun- try and forced them from their own rights and privileges, and did not provide them with any equivalent, and they would soon be defunct nl together. The balf-caatea would perpetuate the race, but the aborigines tin mselves were quickly dying. The pace v as rot :i ln-.li one. but still they hail good results from the work. Tin; work of the missions In the olden days ceased because the ihi.hi- 192 rial aid from the countries from which the missionaries were sent ceased, and the missionaries were obliged to turn to another - direction lor a livlihood, and that was the reason it was aban- doned, and not that the work was not successful. She knew that the girls and boys were being trained in the right way, and wore making useful citizens. Mr. Spargo (Q.) said he had visited one of the mission stations in Queensland. It was the largest, and was at Deebing Creek. The children were at school, and a number of questions were put to them which showed them to the best advantage. At the Station they lived largely on the cottage system, and the various abori- ginals who had children were living in cottages. The State school teacher had been there for 12 or more years. Many of the boys and girls had grown up To man and womanhood, and gone out. The Baramba mission station was an interesting place, and when driving there he was welcomed by the boys and girls singing. There were 300 aborigines on the station, with something like GO or 70 children in the school. The inspectors kept them apart. The girls up to the age of 15 had a camp to themselves. They lived in their mi mis or huts made of bushes. They were kept quite sepa- rate, and a close supervision was manifested over the girls. The school got a good percentage, and the best report was given con- cerning the work of the teacher. Casually sonic six or eight' months ago he met the lady teacher, and she was most enthusias- tic in regard to her work. She said she had no difficulty in hiring out half-caste girls, neither had she any difficulty in hiring out- full blooded girls. She was perpetually on the wing visiting these- girls. As their money was earned it was forwarded to the De- partment, ;iiid a savings bank account opened for the child. Queensland was creditably looking after the aborigines and half- castes, but at the same time there was much room for improve- ment. Mr. Goode (S.A.i said Mrs. Cover had stated that the girls were not allowed to go to service until 10 years of age. That was too high because if they were allowed to go out at a lower age- they would have a chance of becoming educated to be servauts. The thoughl South. Australia had failed in its duty towards the aborigines. The white people had taken possession of their land' and by settling upon it made it more valuable, and they should not begrudge the amount of money necessary for dealing with the native question because if they looked at the value of the State it would be seen that a very small tax would be sufficient to find' the money necessary to do all that was required. It was a diffi- cult question. Months ago he brought up the question of the aboriginal children and half castes, and he thought they should be- placed out like the white children were. The stations in the 193 country were willing to employ tbeui but there was a difficulty in controlling them, but if they were placed under the Court there would be no difficultj . He believed the only way of dealing with the question was by encouraging the missionary settlement among theni. He was no advocate of State aid to religion, but he thought the Government should provide for the material wants of the aborigines and the more missionaries they got to take up this work the better. There were some who took it up and if Mrs. Gover would apply at Angas College she would find a woman or two who would be willing - > to Sunday Island. The Government of the States, and the Federal Government should encourage missionary settlements. There were a number of young people who would go out, but they had not the means, and if the Govern- ment would provide some money or give land for the purpose a great deal might be done. He believed the Roman Catholics had . fine mission called " New Norcia," which was doing splendid work. They had several mission stations in South Australia. One or two they did not hear much about because they were able to support themselves, and they were doing good work. The Point McLeay Mission was doing good work but the death rate was « ery high. The buildings were not the kind of buildings that were wanted and consumption was rife among them. He was exceed- ingly sorry the Government had not been more liberal towards them. The Mission had not sufficient land. A little while since the Naming 1 nrascut up and the Committe applied for an exten- sion of the land, but the Government preferred to have the money instead of allowing the natives a good piece which was badly wanted. There was another mission station at Wallaroo which was doing good work but they heard little about it because they supporte.; selves. They had sufficientland to supply their wants ; .nd wen- carrying ona good work. The Moraveau Mision at Kop- i eramanna was doing good work. The natives there had a large quantity of land and they wer able to support the Mission and keep tliem at work. A year or two since they had a bad time aud he appealed and secured help for, them and since then they have done well. Tl rament should assist the natives by giving the natives some <,r the land which was taken away from them. The Misses Matthews had a mission on the river at Mauunka and were doing well. Many of the ball had Chinese and Japan blood. If they had bomes they must be institutional homes, it WOUld n >1 do to keep the boys and girlfl apart. They most h .■ ■ cottage bomes and then then, would be a chance of the young people getting married. The Governmei ucourag help missionary s"ttlement. Mr. Spargo (Q.) moved "Thai In the opinion of this Immediate steps should be taken In the Commonwealth to educate 194 and protect from evilly disposed persons and from their own weak- ness ii 11 half be gone over the second time. Some one had mentioned that the Magistrate was inclined to dismiss the child and not place him on probation when it was the first offence. That was where the ordinary Magistrate was so likely to go wrong. The first offence was perhaps the most serious offence. The child was at the most critical periol of its life and if the child was to be dismissed because it was the first offence, would make her inclined to dismiss the Magistrate. The child should be dealt with at that particular moment and no matter how trivial the offence she would place it on probation. That treatment] could be got only from a man who understood the spirit of the Children's Court .Vt. As a rule those men looked at the case from the fixed standpoint of the adult instead of the varying standpoint of the child. Mr. Smeaton, M.P., (S.A.) said in South Australia the Chil- dren's Court was presided over by Honourary Magistrates and the principal followed by Mr. Gray was probably the best. Mr. Gray and the officers of the Department had a shrewd know- ledge of the various gentlemen who were available for sitting on the bench. There were certain men who were quite good enough for the other kind of work who would be distinctly out of place dealing with the children. A stipendiary Magistrate would be: apt do deal with them as he would the man who was tried for an ordinary criminal offence, and he would exclude that man straight away. A great deal of onus rested upon the Honorary Mag '1 whether rlic Department could make a list from which they could select certain men to deal with those cases hei was not quite sure. lie should feel inclined to leave the calling in of the Justices to the Department. s.a.i said Mr. Hawker evidently meant the motion to apply more t<> the country districts where there might only be one or two Justices of the Pea< • Such a proposal as had been made would centralize the work in the country districts just In the -a in. manner as they ■ ■ mtralized the work in Adelaide. The Konality of the man to try the children was so important. In Vic- toria she believed that the 200 Courts of Petty Sessions had the right to try the' children, and so many of them thought it was the right thing to keep the children out of prison thai they were sat lafled that. They did not appreciate the probation system, and until they had probation officers attached to all the Courts the suspended sentence v - reallj a fallacious thing. To have 300 Court- of Petty Sessions dealing with the children seei 1 to be a bewildering thing. 200 Miss Goldstein (V.) said they Eelt in Victoria that it was abso- lutely unworkable. The Act had created the Petty Sessions as the Children's Courts, and that was outside the requirements of those who wanted the Act. They simply had to accept that pro- vision in order to get the Bill through. It was passed in the teeth of very serious opposition. Mr. Clarke was fully seized with the importance of the Children's Courts and he was working up the interest gradually. They were paying special attention to the metropolitan area, and when they got that thoroughly well-work- ed and had a good system they believed that the example would spread the movement to the other districts. They saw the unwork- ability of The Petty Sessions throughout the State but they could not do much yet. It was desirable to impress upon the States' Governments the sort of man they wanted. He must be a mau who was fond of children and who understood the child mind. Some men who had time might like the position, and the Govern- ments were inclined to push a man into a position because he wanted it. Her idea of Cabinets was that they must be treated as knowing nothing and they should put the whole question before them. She moved as an amendment that the States' Govern- ments be requested to appoint suitable men as Special Magis- trates. Mrs. Williams (Q.) said that in Queensland every Court of Petty Sessions was appointed a Children's Court, but at the same time they had no system of probation so that practically the Chil- dren's Court Act was null and void. Although the children were tried in a private room away from the Police Court, in most cases punishment had to follow if the charge was proved. That destroy- ed the effectiveness of the Children's Court system. Special fitness in the individual trying the ease was most important. The man who had children brought before him should have a love for chil- dren in his heart and should have some understanding of the child nature. The results of the debate would be very helpful for the future if the suggestion were worked on the right lines. The Queensland Act was comparatively new and it had been in force under such unfavourable conditions that they were not very satisfied with it. and she hoped the resolution of the Congress would help them to get something better. She had much pleasure in seconding the amendment. Mr. Smeaton. M.P.. (S.A.) said the question was hedged around with the qualification that the Government had to get the right man. Governments had a great many things to do, and it was Hist as likely as not that they would see a man who would like to take it, and he might have the smallest amount of ability in that particular direction, but he would get it. So much de- pended upon the person that Le would like to leave the position 201 as it was in South Australia. A large discretion was allowed to the Department in the choice of Magistrates. He understood that ih< Department applied to Mr. Gordon, the Police Magistrate, in the first instance, and if he was engaged they got two Justices. Such Courts were likely to he better than Stipendiary Magistrates who mixed up with so many . ses of another kind. He was sorry to oppose the amendment. Mr. McM Glynn. M.H.R.. (S.A.) quite appreciated the spirit of the resolution, but he saw difficulties in carrying it out and it was their duty to point out those difficulties now. Magistrates as a whole would nut be inclined to accept a resolution that would challenge them on the question of possessing affection for chil- dren. If they put it in a milder way it would be better. He agreed with Mr. Smeaton with regard to the South Australian em. Perhaps they might put it "whose capacity and position ially rir them to preside over Children's Courts." Miss Goldstein — I accept that. Dr. Helen Mayo (S.A.) said what they wanted were specialists ihildren and it' they wanted specialists they must train them. Mr. MacMaster (T.) said in South Australia they seemed to have gone a long way forward. Sometimes they had something bau ignorance to combat wht o such a question was referr- ed to Governments, and that was i lie blindness that would not see. All sorts of people would apply and Influence had to be consid- ered. Mr. Longmor* (W.A.) - seconder of the motion thought if Mr. Hawker were present he would not have any objection to the words being added to his motion. In Western Australia since ill*- Act came into force they had had no trouble in that particular 'ion. All Stipendiary Magistrates were special Magistrates, and at the sam< time there was a power under the Act to appoint anyone suitable as : S ecial Magistrate. There would be no trouble in Perth if a gentleman who was known to have a love for children was suggested for appointment. Their present Police - - ate bad a great love fo Mivn and treated tfiem as they should be treated. At the same time Mr. Rowe was a very busy man. as Mr. Gordou was, and •■ bad to get Justices. As the Court was held in the Dep rt nenl there was not much trouble ; pulation so I; Beem< d, i . ■ thing thai 11 bad ai ei ered (he 202 minds of the authorities to appoint women as Justices-. That was an innovation well worthy of consideration. .Many women in every town could he found who would he capable not only from the legal standpoint but with the necessary qualifications that they were all agreed upon were absolutely required for the posi- tion. She threw out the hint in the hope that it might go further. Mr. Gray 1S.A.1 said a little ambiguity had arisen in conse- quence of the use of the words " Special Magistrate " by Mr. Hawker. The term in South Australia referred to a gentleman who was appointed by the Government and was paid. They used to be called Stipendiary Magistrates, and tliey had the power of two Justices of the Peace, and his opinion was that Mr. Hawker Intended that a paid Magistrate in any district should be appointed to deal with delinquent .and neglected children. For instance' there was Mr. Hinde who was a Special Magistrate for a large northern district, including Port Augusta. Mr. Hinde at the pres- ent moment had all the powers indicated in the resolution, and Mr. Hawker's idea was already nearly carried out, as \i ithout any special appointment a parent finding a child difficult to manage should make his complaint to Mr. Hinde, and the Magistrate could hear the case and commit the child, or dismiss the case as it might seem fit to him. He thought the members of the Congress had been a little misled by the word " special " as though it were some one who had to be appointed to try the children. That would not come within the scope of the resolution moved by Mr. Hawker. That gentleman must have moved the resolution under a misapprehension, because he spoke of decentralization as though every child had to be sent to Adelaide. That was not so. Children were frequently brought before Country Courts and they were sometimes stmt to the State Children's Department, and sometimes placed on* in the country. Miss Goldstein (V.) thought if the term "Special Magistrate" had a particular significance in South Australia they should alter the amendment. They wanted to get away from the Courts' ' Magistrates altogether. The ordinary Magistrate's mind was filled with legal forms and they did not want that. Mr. Ferguson (Q.) had the same impression as Mr. Gray with regard to the resolution. Mr. P. McM. Glynn, M.H.K., iS.A.t thought it would be safer to rely on the Special Magistrate than upon Justices who were selected at random through the State. If they added "stipen- diary" ii would cover all they wanted. The clerk of the Court could see that such men summoned as would be best fitted to treat the children, but he would not do away with the Special Magis- trate. They had Special Magistrates in South Australia and Sti- pendiaries in the other States. The matter was dealt with in the •203 Federal Acts where they were referrd to as "Special or Stipen- diary Magistrates." Perhaps they could add to the original reso- lution the words "and that the Special or Stipendiary Magistrate or other Justice whose capacity and position specially tit him for the administration of Children's Courts should, when possible, be chosen." The amendment was carried, and the motion as amended was also carried. Miss Spence iS.A.i said the weakness of the Children's Courts in South Australia was that there was no probation officer. The Magistrate at Port Pirie, for instance, might suspend sentence, but there was no one to watch the child. Special encouragement, should be given to volunteers, and they should be obtainable at such places as Port Pirie, Wallaroo, and Mount Gambier. and other places. The Congress ought to declare that the Children's Courts should have probation officer.-. Mr. Smeaton, M.P.. (S.A.) thought that they might get over the difficulty by giving the Stat.- Children's Department power to appoint probation officers. In South Australia they had the right i" appoint their own probation officers, and he could not conceive a better plan fortheuse of the Department than that. If the other States were not so well off they could take a leaf out of South Australia's book. Mr. Hawker (S.A.) said lie was sorry to have missed the earlier debate. He should like to make it Clear that the Special Magistrate should be app'ointed to [.reside over the children's Courts. The amendment could not stand by itself because it did not say what it was for. lb- had no objection to the motion and the amendment being woven together. Tlie Chairman said they would n-U-v both to the resolutions Committee to be put into proper form. (Hear hear). The Disabilities of Illegitimate Children and the Best Met) of Enforcing the Responsibilities of Both Parents. Mrs. Williams (Q.J read the following paper : First of all I wish to say thai one disability is shown by the rir!,. of this paper. There are in fact no Illegitimate chil- dren. These children have done no wrong, they have violated no law, civic or moral, they are in no way responsible for the unhappj conditions under which their entrance upon life was made, yel by commoi '.i and by the will of the people through Parliamentary and legal enactment from the moment ,,i their birth they have to hear the shame and dishonour of the sll S of both parents. Lei US away with such injustice and ,u no l:, children but rather Hie children 1204 of illegitimate parents. Since Mrs. Browning wrote hex- pathetic poem, "The Cry of the Children," which reused an arrest of though upon this intensely important subject, people everywhere are beginning to recognise how closely linked is the child to the nation. W< congratulate South Australia on taking the lead in calling together this Conference to consider the problem of dependent child life. Three months ago at the invitation of the President of the United States of America, a somewhat similar Conference met in the White House. About 200 delegates were present, many of them leaders in charitable and philanthropic movements for the protection of children. One fact was strongly empha- sised by Mr. Homer Folks. President of the State Probation Commission of New York, that to take care of the child is to take care of the nation, and while a Government may do much in that direction unless the vIllIit man or woman has the hand- ling or administering of any part of a governmental system dealing with children that part cannot be a success, or as the same speaker put it. " In the last analysis the human factor in dealing with all these institutions." One result of the Con- ference refered to is a request to congress to establish a Chil- dren's Bureau, the purpose of which shall be the dissemina- tion of information with regard to children'* needs. Miss Willard, the uncrowned Queen of America has said, " it is • •very child's right to he well horn, alas, how many children are robbed of this birthright. It issafe to estimate that every child horn out of wedlock is among the number. The disa- bilities of these children are numerous and are not infrequent- ly pre-natal and are felt during life whether it be long or short. The efforts to hide the shame of wrong doing as well as the necessity that exists for a living to be made, must affect injuriously physical developement. In many cases some months are spent in an industrial or maternity home or other institution : while there, hard laborious work has frequently to be performed for six days a week and to within a very short time of the child-birth. Work has generally to be resumed after an all too short interval of rest and under con- ditions that are hurtful alike to mother and child. The diet in some instances is sparse and i« generally lacking in those nutritious elements so absolutely necesary to a strong and healthy life. This great want cannot be atoned for after- wards, and if adult life be reached the innocent victim must always suffer the physical disabilities consequent on such conditions. There is abundant and reliable evidence that where married women live and work under similar circum- stances theri is a marked physical degeneracy of the race. 205 In Dundee ther ar 24 300 women and girls employed in gute and hemp factories, 6,000 are married, the result is that the Dundee boys and girls are below the average standard iu weight and height. There is a great want of employment for men ; full grown men only measure up to .". feet in height and their weight 9 stone. They have no physical strength for manual labour, but must accept unskilled labourers' wages in mills or factories. (Factory Inspector's Report. 1900). Added to the stigma put upon nameless children by the designation illegitimate and physical disability to which reference has been made, is the loss of all parent love and the true home atmos- phere and associations which develope character, and are a country's safeguard. It has been said " that no nation can .her than the home life of its people."' The best tra ditions and the highest aspirations of the British race are largely the outcome of home influence, and whether our hoin^s lordly castles or rural cottages, our hearts beat in time with the simple meaningful words. " The dearest spot on earth to me is home sweet home." But these children have no ':. and the parental affection and the care that make the home, cannot be theirs. In most cases they become the wards of the State soon after birth, simply because the mother cannot earn her living and nurse her child. Tl - no time when a woman's hi 5 so tender and we think there can be no time when her sin will be more keenly felt, than when - holds the helpless little innocent child in her arms for the s the gospel of love reach her then, and is helping hand, the kindly sympathy extended? Oris ita hold- ing aloof, or words of reproach or banishment from the h We could qoI for one moment condone the sin. But the harsh treatment sometin ! out to th — women, who are often : tinned against than sinning drives them beyond any wish rm. Deprived of its natural food and with weak vitality, is it any wonder that the death, rate of these little ones is exci gh. The most necessary element •e brought Into the lives of th< se homeless children is the Influence of home and family ' The love which is an actual pari of a child's ea -•■ child life is a greal na1 al asset to preserve and protect, and develope. [tisonly; national obligation. It is manifestly the duty of the Stat place these children in homes where a mother's love will bt • ii to them, if that is not practicable, an environment as .le should be given, and home instinct fos- tered in every way. During the educational period of life these chlldrei i e uoi the same advantage and opportunities as others. Religious 20G teaching is ;i vital part of a. child's education ; whet her it be the duty of the State, or home, or both, to give that education is not within the province of this paper to say. But it is surely incumbent on the Stale to provide for such teaching being given to those children who are its special care. The first decade of life is its most impressionable period and the time for teaching high ideals of duty to God and to man. The time when character is formed and the destiny of young life shaped. Any country that fails in the discharge of this obligation will reap a sad harvest of depravity and dishonour. We plead for these so called illegitimate children, handicapped by physical and moral disabilities that thoroughly religious training shall be given, for this alone can really help them to overcome evil hereditary influences and bring to life the divine spark, buried so often, but existing in every human being. Physical defects interfere with the progress of a child's edu- cation, and in these days where the -rush for first place and good examination results seem the chief end of our education- al system, the chance for this type of child is small, with the result that they enter upon the world's market as unskilled labour. We maintain that to every child the avenues of edu- cation, the best and highest, should be open. But only a very small per eentage can avail themselves of these advantages, and to the large majority who cannot, the doors of trade should be equally wide, and every boy and girl should have special training in some one direction to fit them for their sphere in life, and not be left as so much human flotsam and jetsam, tossed hither and thither by the waves of circum- stances. We would emphasise this in regard to girls especially. The highest destiny of woman is motherhood and yet. nothing is done to train and prepare her for it. There seems to be an idea, practically world-wide, that by some instinct or intuition, without any thought of fitness or education, woman can dis- charge this high function. Let us remember the time, care, and money that is spent on the improvement of birds of the aii'. fish of the sea, and beasts of the field, while man with powers that are God-like, and potentialities that are divine, is born under careless haphazard conditions. If similar care and attention were given to the improvement of the human race, there would be less reason to deplore the lack in young people of fitness for parenthood. Untold good would follow the preparation of woman for her life's work by training in domestic science, the science of motherhood, hygiene, and the care of children ; add to that, indeed we think it would be a natural corollary, the raising of the status of motherhood. Fix the minds of men and women, married and unmarie.l, 207 upon the importance and dignity of home and family life, extol The whole maried state, and let there be some sort of State recognition of good motherhood, in marriage, as the highest service that can be rendered to the nation. One writer puts it. " I would make the christian picture of the Madonna Christ Child a great n ality in the national life.*' then we should no longer hear it said "she is only tit to mind the children.'" hut rather of the mother — trained, dignified, and honoured — ••Only she is fit to mind the children." We' have no hesitation in expressing the opinion that one result would be a speedy reduction in illegitimacy which is alar n- ingly high and is increasing annually. In 1904 the total num- ber of illegitimate births in Australia was 6,421 or 6.17 per cent, of the total births. In 1006 the illegitimate births were 6,718 or 6.23 per cent, of total births. In some States the percentage is much higher than others, New South Wales and Queensland being over 7 per cent., while South Australia is only 4 per cent. This we think is largely due to the fact that the protection <>'' girls is much higher in South Australia, be- ing 17. while in Queensland and New South Wales it is as shamefully low as 14 years. In one State which shall be nameless, as I have been unable to get statistics of the others, during 1906 two hundred of the mothers of these children wen- under 16 years of age and 20 were under 14 years. If knowledge is power, and to be forewarned is to be fore- armed, then it is due to these children that they should receive instruction, or as it has now come to be called scientific teaching, as to the influence of alcohol on the human body. There is to-day no greater enemy to the human race. Some years t i Royal Commission was appointed by the House of Commons to enquire into the physical degeneracy of the British race. This degeneracy had been force upon the atten- tion of Legislators from the fact that the standard for rc< ruits for the British :irmy had to he lowered hecause sufficient men were nol forthcoming to measure up to the standard thai had been in existence for years. This Commission found that to alcoholism could be traced much of the cause, there wereother contributing causes, such as cigarette smoking, insanitary housing, and under feeding, hut alcoholism was the greatest factor, in-. Helen May. i gave some alarming statistics In reference to the large number of children bom to alcoholic parents, and the blgh mortality among them. Le1 me add some thai have come to me as absolutely correct Of 125 children horn of alcoholic parents 55 per cent, died under 2 years of of the remaining (5 per cent, al ie,-ist pi per rent, were crippled and mentally weak. Unfortunately we bare t« 208 reckon with an appetite which has almost become inherent in the human race and which will finally destroy it, if it be not itself destroyed. That intemperance has much to do with the propagating- of Illegitimacy, both among prosti- tutes and others no one can deny. Considering all these farts we appeal to this Congress to urge that in the various States in the Commonwealth the scientific teaching of the effects of alcohol upon the body be a compulsory subject in tile public schools. This is not some new and untried method that is being suggested, for in America the children of that great country numbering over 20,000,000 have been receiving this instruction for years. Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Russia, Great Britain and other countries are moving in the same direction. The Best Methods of Enforcing the Responsibilities of Parents. Nature and circumstances alike conspire to place upon the mother a large share of responsibility, while the father equally guilty and frequently more guilty, is comparatively free. To lay the axe to the root of the tree is the best way of removing it, and to strike this great evil at its very root will be one way of enforcing responsibility. Why there should be in existence one moral code for women and another for men is a mystery. This sin of impurity which will lead a mother to banish her daughter from her home, and the mistress to turn her maid into the streets, the church to close her doors to membership against her, and society generally to ostracise her is condoned in man, to the sowing of his wild oats, and is frequently re- ferred to as though it were really what should be expected from him. Women are themselves very largely to blame and to them we must look for the change so desirable and necess- ary. Let there be moral equality not by demanding less from woman, a thousand times " no," but more from man. He should be made to feel just as keenly and in exactly the same way any lapse from virtue. The law (I speak of Queensland ) makes no provision for assisting the woman before the birth of her child. Proceedings may be taken and an order made before birth, but the money is retained by some officer desig- nated to receive it, to be paid only after birth. This frequently entails great hardships upon the woman, for besides having to work when most unfit for it, there is considerable outlay for a iler purse in making necessary preparation. Provision should be obligatory on the man for at Teast two months be- fore and six months after the birth of the child, in addition to the amount he is now legally compelled to find for expenses at the time of birth.. 209 - ablishing the paternity of a child has always been surrounded by difficulty. I • - - ion (which by the way is man mm! nvariably been unjust to women. Take for instance the law 8 S S.a.i which we are tree to admit stands well to the front in all reforms affecting women and children. Am. . convicted (1) upon the evidence of the mother unless evidence be corroborated in some material partic- ular. (2i if ,;t the time the child was begotten, the mother was a common prostitute. The first provides for the escape of the man h\ - ig for almost impossible evidence, the second mak sion easy by regarding the sin of the woman as _ iter than that of her partner in gnflt. I hope that this i ill adopt a resolution recommending- that when paternity is alleged against a man by the mother, or prospec- tive mother of a child, he shall be compelled npon oath to deny the charge or stand convicted.. Within three days after the birth of an unmarried woman's child, thi occupier of any house in which such a child is born, must giv< notice thereof in writing to the officer appointed. But if the occupier of the house is the mother of the new born infant, such notice may be given at any time within three works of the birth of the infant. This is a weakness that should be remedied. It may be unlikely that a single woman would lie the occupier of the house in which her child is born, but it is quite possible, and to make 21 days the time allowed for notification of birth, leaves an open door to serious abuse. Tli.' registration of the child should be in the father's name, not as now in the name of .lie mother. This will. I know, with opposition, ami I can already hear the objections that will be raised. The innocent will be victimised, no man will I..- safe, ;iil will be at the mercy of the designing, unscrup- ulous worn* ii. But how many of the women whose children are born out of wedlock are of ihat class, ami how many of the men who are the fathers of these children are not them- selves designing and unscrupulous ': H is not a solitary case to And two women in institutions at the one time with infants who owe their paternity to the same man. Do dot the innocei t suffer now V The helpless, nameless, children, scores of them born to bUeathe, suffer, and die. What is it thai makes tin parent, la ii the marriage ceremony, or the signing of legal documents in the sighl of God, No.. The propagating of the Is parenthood .and if it he legal for a chiii! to bear name of his father thai name should be borne whether Hi'' | entg are married or single. From the birth of a child and until that child is 15 \ father Bhould be legally compelled to maintain it. 210 Every facility should be given to secure a maintenance order, and surety or security demanded for its regular payment. In the case of a man absconding to another State, it is absolutely necessary that some interstate reciprocal legislation be enacted to enforce regular payment of the order within the State where the father is. It is unwise, costly, and ineffective to have to remove him to the State were the order was given. It means taking him away from work to probable idleness, when he would be unable to make the payments, and the knowledge that action could be taken in any State within the Common- wealth would certainly enforce more responsibility. In con- clusion, the bitter cry of the children is still heard in our land, not the bitterness of years past, when little children, mere babies had to toil for long hours to help to swell the family income, and no childhood was theirs, but many cruelties in- stead. But there remain many wrongs to be righted, many injustices to be removed. Thank God for the noble men and women of every land who give so freely of their time and money and intellect to save the children. " And Christ took a child and set him in the midst of His Disciples and said ' Whosoever shall receive one of such chil- dren in my name, receiveth me.' " Mr. Glynn. M.H.E.. (S.A.) — I am only expresing the sense of this Congress in saying that the paper we have heard is one that ought to have a very good effect, not only among the members of the Congress, but throughout the States where our proceedings will be read. Nothing has a better effect than a well-chosen epigram, and the epigram to which I make particular reference is the one where Mrs. Williams says we are dealing with the chil- dren of illegitimate parents. Instead of preparing a paper I made a few notes last night from the point of view of a lawyer, and with the conciseness which our proceedings demand I will run through them. The treatment of illegitimate children, and the mothers of them for many generations has been unique in its perversity, he bar sinister and the broad arrow seem for too long to have touched the same sense — the moral sense which makes for the conservation of society, although in the child there is a com- plete absence of moral responsibility. Commentators of these matters do not always record illegitimate children as being equal in point of capacity with the children of those who had entered ordinary bonds of wedlock. Two great types of this class taken by Shakespeare are Paulconbridge in "King John," and Edmund in "King Lear." If there is one virile type which seems to have caught the admiration of Shakespeare it is Paulconbridge, and similarly Edmund is remarkable for his intellectual powei", and he asks why he should be considered base when he is as good 211 as the children of any honest parents. That is a question we should endeavour to answer. What would be the effect upon the sanctity of marriage if they were to say that illegitimate children were to have all the rights and social status of the children of parents who have entered into the bonds of matrimony, and that instead of the status being that of the mother it should be that ol the father with all the rights, social as well as legal. - - ilute in the one case as the other. As to the treatment of illegitimate children it is a curious thing that the law has always regarded the offspring as the chil- dren of no one. In the reign of Elizabeth a law was passed for relief, but illegitimate children did not come under it because as a matter of technical interpretation they were regarded as not having father or mother. In 1839 the English Legislature, which, however it may have hesitated to recognise the march of democ- racy, had always a very tender regard for the rights, immunities, or impunities of man where a woman was concerned, decided that the right of maintenance of an illegitimate child should he with the mother and not with the father. In 1891 it was decided in the case of Bernardo • of Lords, that the law had placed upon the mother of an illegitimate child the obli- gation to support it, and that carried with it the corresponding right of guardianship. Up to that time it was never laid doAvn definitely that the guardianship was laid on the mother. There then are two decisions, haltingly given, of the legal obligation to support tlie children and the right of guardianship. As to the position of the children. It is a curious fact that the law which does not recognise illegitimate children and regards them as tin- children of no one. often steps in to declare that chil- dren who were regarded as illegitimate were really not so. From line- to time Acts of Parliament have been passed granting divor- ces — they were private Acts— and at the same time declaring that the children of the marriage were illegitimate, the consideration being tin position of the parents and not the rights of the children. One instan -e is :t and 10 Will. III. <1.. II -"An Act for dissolving the marriage between Charles, Bar! of Macclesfield, and Anne, ids wife. .-Hid to illegitimate his the children of the said Anne," We : iv .:ii agreed that religion should i><> ;( potent agent in the educa- tion of children. Illegitimate children are particularly outside the carls moral Influences of the parents and by consequence may the wonderful restraining power of religion. The law dues not as a rule bother mucb about (he religion ol children, it did not care whal rellg ..,,, ,.. mother had when the pet wepe in fon tcept When it was d IUS to the interests of society, whe information could he laid against the pe 212 professing it Hence it did not h&xe regard to the religion of the guardians except when the principles professed by them were dangerous to society. As regards the disabilities of children, we have throughout these discussions to the various Acts of the States. Maintenance was discussed yesterday. In addition to the possibility of arrest in case the father clears out there is a punitive provision in our Act where the Magistrate can fine up to £50, and imprison up to six months where there has been a wilful disobed- ience of the order made by this My experience and opinion founded on that experience are that the punitive provis- ions are not very helpful. The expense falls upon the person who wants them applied. You may send a man to prison for ' six months but you cannot make him better discharge his obligations or make him a better citizen of the State. What we want is recip- rocal action so that an obligation in force in one State may be enforced in another. A very great improvement on existing pro- visions in this direction can be made by the Parliaments of the States or by the Federal Parliament. We passed an Act in 1887 giving the mother the right to appoint a guardian for her children. That applies to the legiti- mate as well as to the illegitimate children. At common law the illegitimate child has no relatives, nor can he succeed, nor can he found a succession so far as the common law is concerned. There has been a tendency in recent legislation to break away from that iniquitous provision. We in 1S91 passed the Administration and Probate Act in which there are two provisions, as fol- lows—" (1) So far as regards succession to any estate under the total or partial intestacy of a woman her illegitimate child shall have the same right and title as if he were legitimate. (2) So far as regards succession to any estate under the total or partial intestacy, if an illegitimate child his next of kin on his mother's side, shall have the same right and title as if such child were legitimate." They go a long way toward the suggestion made by Mrs. Williams. We mnst consider Avhether we can apply the same principle to the father. You can always identify the parentage of the mother, but not always of the father. Can you absolutely trust to the honour and (the word of the mother so that you can say that you have identi- fied the father and that the succession in which the illegitimate children are concerned shall be equal in the Courts of Law ? I merely throw this out because it touches the question of the per- manence of marriage with all its significance and the succession to the home and the compactness of the home and all concerned. The two sections I have quoted are two improvements which are absolutely justified but whether we can go to the full length of recognising succession from the father's side is a matter which 213 touches a sociological question which cannot be cavalierly disposed of. Now it comes to the question of legitimation. Wherever the Roman Law holds, and it holds in almost all the States of the European Continent and in more than half of the American States, the principle of legitimation is applied. One provision of the Roman Law is that by the subsequent marriage of the parents the children become legitimate. That has not been adopted iu England, but it is the law in South Australia. It has always been the law in Scotland because the jurisprudence of the law iu Scot- land is Roman. English jurisprudence is not directly Roman. It has come from the Anglo-Saxon and the Teutonic principally, and is not derived from the Roman as the law of Scotland is. South Australia made them legitimate by Act of Parliament. Iu -land these legitimacy laws are recognised to some extent ; that is. if they were the law of the land in the domicile of the father at the time of the marriage. In other words, if the man, a South Australian citizen, woman who had an illegiti- mate child by him and ir was the law of the laud at the time of the birth of the child as well as the time of the marriage, then England would recognise that child as legitimate. While therefore the law does not apply to England itself it will recognise the legitimacy of the child whose father is domiciled in a place were at the time of the marriage the legitimacy law is in existence if at the time of the birth of the child the same law is in operatou. That does not apply in all eases. The law in England with regard to succession of real propertj is thai the child must be born in lawful wedlock. makes a greal distinction in som< is ss For instance a man died leaving real property in Scotland an England. His children were illegitimate, but by the marriage of the parents subsequent to the birth of the children in Scotland made the children legitimate. But though they were capable of succeeding to personal property in Scotland, ami in England to the real property of the father, in Scotland they could not I > the landed property in England because tie- succession to thai property in England depends upon the birth of tie- child in lawful wedlo i want to refer now to the legal disabilities of illegitimate children. 1 am only dealing with the position outside Special Acts, speak",- generally tin- llegitimal child has no next of kin oi father's slide. Wo have to co - that if he does name the specially then succession following, lb- cannot in England become entitled to realty unless he Is born during wed- lock. II'- cannot i himself of tl its conferred by 1 Campbell's A.cl as to compens .-. i >ss of relations. There is an Act ol Parliament th ie rights impensi 214 children on the deaths of parents but it does not include the rights of illegitimate children. In the Workmen's Compensation Act the same principle applies. Where there is a death through negli- gence there is a right to compensation given to the relatives, but I do not think it has yet been decided that illegitimate children depending niton the father have any right to share in the compen- sation. The Court of Chancery will as a rule aid a testator in connection with the execution of a. defective power under a will in favour of the children, but that aid will not be exercised so far as illegitimate children are concerned,. Another point is that where interest is payable on a legacy from the death of the testa- tor instead of 12 months after death that does not apply to illegiti- mate children. So that under the same will one set of children may take interest from the death of the father, but the other is not entitled to it for 12 months afterwards. Neither father nor mother is liable for the maintenance of the illegitimate child after the death of the father. The maintenance orders expire with the death of the person against whom they were made. It is not a matter whether it is not possible to recover against the estate of the testator who has had an order made against him. The information must be laid during the lifetime of the parties, other- wise it cannot be made. Summing up these matters I give you the opinion, as regards the legal position of the illegitimate child, from Blackstone :— " And really any other distinction but that of not inheriting, which civil law renders necessary, would, with regard to the innocent offspring of his parent's crimes, be odius, unjust, and cruel to the last degree." I cite this opinion from Blackstone because I have thrown out the suggestion that we cannot make the illegitimate children the equal of the legitimate children for certain reasons. I giv the disabilities of illegitimate children apart from Statute Law, and most of them can be remov- ed. Referring more particularly to the paper by Mrs. Williams it is unfortunate that in early life these illegitimate children are deprived of the home influence. I remember in going through Goethe's " Faust" again recently seeing how sevei'e social opinion was not only upon the mother but against the unfortunate child. In the beginning there is a lovely passage showing what childhood can do upon a man — how children brought up in the ordinary surroundings of life which are given to legitimate children can (influence for good or bad courses the conduct of older people. It vis almost too long to quote it all, but I will give you a few lines because it is from the society of childhood that the illegitimate child is excluded. It is where Faust has the goblet in his hand contemplating suicide, and he hears the sweet carols of the child choristers on Easter morning : — 215 Soft sounds, that breathe of Heaven, most mild, most powerful; What seek ye here? — Why will ye come to me In dusty gloom immersed?— Oh ! rather speak To hearts of soft and penetrable mould ! I hear your message, but I have not faith — And miriele is fond Faith's favourite child ! I cannot force myself into the spheres, Where these good tidings of great joy are heard ; And yet. from youth familiar with the sounds. Even now they call me back again to life ; Oh! once, in boyhood's happy time. Heaven's love Showered down upon me, with mysterious k:»s. Hallowing the stillness of the Sabbath day ! ling resistless, incommunicable. Yearning for something that I knew not of, Deep meanings in the full tones of the bells Mingled— a prayer was burning ecstasy- Drove me, a wanderer, through lone fields and woods ; Then tears rushed hot and fast— then was the birth Of a new life and a new world for me ; These bells announced the merry sports of youth, This music welcomed in the happy spring ; And now am I once more a little child, And Old Remembrance, twining round my heart, Forbids this act, and checks my daring steps. Then s on- sweet sounds that are of Heaven! Tears come, and Earth hath won her child again. Concluding Day, Saturday, May 29. THE CONGRESS ASSEMBLED AT 10 A.M. THE CHAIRMAN 'MR. T. RHODES) PRESIDED. SOLUTIONS « OMMITTEE. Mr. Longmore (W.A.) presented the Progress Report oi I e ttee, lb Baid they bad carefully revised some of i! had been passed, particularly the on<» refei Stipendiary Magistrates which aow read: •■ in ti" o] Inion of ti) should be taken to appoint in tin- prini Ipal t< ■• deal with Informations 216 Justices 'of the' Peace, as are by capacity and disposition specially fitted for such duties." Another one which had been altered was— " in the opinion of this Congress immediate steps should be taken in tliis Commonwealth to educate and protect all half caste and aboriginal children by taking charge of such as in the case of other neglected children, and the Congress is also of opinion that en- couragement should be given to approved missionaries to the extent of a subsidy for the material wants of such children when placed in their care." The other resolutions had been accept- ed as passed without alt. ration. They would not require to have another meeting if they watched carefully the wording of the resolutions they adopted that morning. The Report was adopted. PRINTING OF LEAFLETS. Mr. Spargo i<^.i said it would be a good thing if they could have the resolutions of the Congress printed separately in leaflets, so that they could be brought before the various Governments and the people. He moved that that be done. Miss Spenee (S.A.) seconded, as leaflets were important in the education of the people. I arried. TEACHING SCIENTIFIC TEMPERANCE. Mrs. Williams (Q.) wished to move—" That in the opinion of this Congress it is most desirable that every child should be taught the scientific effects of alcohol on the human body. We therefore recommend that scientific temperance teaching be a compulsory subject in all the public schools in the States of the Common- wealth." She said that the facts which had come before them in the various papers and addresses were so convincing that it was iiot necessary for her to say much. When they remembered as Dr. Mayo had pointed out, the large families born of alcoholic parents, the high death rate among their children, and how many of those who lived were mentally feeble and physically weak, it really amounted to degeneracy. The Eng-lish Royal Commission came to that conclusion, and she thought the resolution should be passed in the interests of the children of the nation. Mr. Spargo (Q.) seconded. While he was aware that they could not make men and women teetotallers by Act of Parliament, it was exceedingly important to educate the children on the evils of strong drink. Mrs. Gover supported because in Western Australia they had had i desperate fight to get it into the schools. They had made a great advance in that direction. ( Carried. 217 VISIT TO MT. LOFTY The Chairman said Lady Bonython had extended au invitation to the members to visit her at Mt. Lofty on Monday afternoon, if the weather was fine. AGE OF CONSENT. Dr. Helen Mayo 1S.A.1 moved— -'■ That this Congress is of opinion that age of consent should be The same in all the States, and that it should be IT years, as in South Australia. Mrs. Williams (Q.) wished to second that, as she came from a State where the age was as low as 14 years. < arried. Afedical I ■ m in Schools in /?< 'ation to Defective Childi Mr. McM - •' (T.) read the following paper: — In this paper I am confining myself wholly to those phases the question to which our Tasmanian experts have devoted special attention. Amongst those experts be it understood I have cot the slightest claim to be numbered. So far as educa- tional w irk is concerned, my time and attention have been roted to the culture of the more fortunate of Australian children rather than to the developement of those physical and mentally defective and in some degree dependant upon the kindly office either to the philantropist or of the State. But I have been warmly interested in the work done by Doc- tors E i ■•• and i ■ Halley, and by the officers of the Department of Public Charities. It seems to me that to travel hundred miles u d then to offer you a resume of conclu- sions a forth in ai -' lard work on defective and abnor- mal children, would - my time and yours. Such a n be prepai u one in any City of the Emp wh< »te a little leisure to the task. But in one respect at least, we in Tasmania are in full possession of in- formation of a kind which h.is not been systematically collect - >ther States, and which possesses very definite value, and ;• »ai mation which 1 propose to lay befor Like most men who have devoted attention to the social prob- lem, 1 hold thai ourcivilizal - on a far lower plane than it should be. The grea - of the peopl< may live and should V\y- comparably freer than they do. It seems to n:e, ll the Ideal State, of which men ho be reached only through the wis trainli e child, A il system is a rough expression icti r is elevated the system Improvi nerates the system sinks lower 218 and lower. And it mainly on the larger scale, one is tempted to say wholly, by true education of the child that we can elevate national character. Mr. Money has put this forcibly in his profoundly suggestive book, " Riches and Poverty," in which he tells us that the mind of each infaut born is a blank page on which we may write what we please. Following the dictum of our leading physiologists we accept the child's mind as a blank page, for generally the one serious evil result- ing from bad hereditary is a bad environment. But though the page is blank, we cannot write on it exactly what we please. Our possibilities in that direction are limited because it is our character which guides the pen. We cannot write better than we are, but we can endeavour as individuals and as a community to write our best and not our worst. Some time ago Doctor Elkington, Medical Officer of Tas- mania, Avas much impressed with unpleasant facts such as : — the waste of infant life, the loss of efficiency resulting from maternal ignorance and consequent wrong training of the in- fant before it goes to school, the enormous loss of teaching power resulting from the average school master's total ignor- ance of the elements of hygiene. He persuaded ministers to allow him and Dr. Clarke to make a medical examination of the children attending the Hobart State Schools. Now, such an examination lies at the very root of the problem to which our attention is called to-day. Before you deal with the phys- ically and mentally defective, you must ascertain just who they are, and you must ascertain, therefore, to what extent those who appear to be mentally defective are suffering from imperfect vision, imperfect bearing, or from other troubles, such as adenoid growths, which make even the naturally bright child seem either densely stupid or hopelessly careless and indolent. The examination of 1906 was carried out, and the result were so startling ;is to convince even the everage politician that regular medical inspection of school pupils was essential in the interest of the State. Such regular inspection, began early in 1907, and the report of fifteen months work was drawn up in July 1908. I propose very briefly to sumar- ize the results of the two inspections, the preliminary and the regular. In 190G some thirteen hundred children were examined by Drs. Elkington and Clarke. The results of the examination cannot be accepted as telling the whole truth concerning Tas- manian children. To begin with, the parents of 184 boys and girls attending the town schools exercised the privilege grant- ed them and withdrew their children from the examination ; in the second place the State has a terribly large army of 219 truants. Amongst the 184 children who were not submitted to the examination and amongst the truants, there would be a large number of defectives than amongst the boys and girls whose parents courted inspection. In the more extensive examination held during the fifteen months closing in July of last year, all children attending the schools were examined, the truants of course escaping as before. As to that second examination, it may be well to explain one or two matters concerning the methods persued. All new scholars were examined at or immediately after entry. The physical charac- teristics and the disease history (if any) of each child was noted on a card index. The teacher was advised of any physi- cal or mental peculiarities calling for his or her attention, and, when i s ry, parents were notified of the existence of special defects, or of tendency to disease. The Medical In- spectors visited the schools at least once a week, the class- rooms \\ mined once a fortnight. Teachers selected any suspects and submitted them for special examination. In thenry the State provided no medical or surgical stance for the poor children. In practice, at least as far Hobart is cone' red. the assistance was given. That happened be - the Medical Inspector, was also Chief Medical Officer of the Charities Department. During the period r< to, about 11,287 children were examined, of these 4,158 were found to be defective " to an extent which was cither actively interfering with their edu- mal progress ould in all probability interfere with it in the near future." G< - little into detail it was found it. of the girls, and a trifle over 2 per cent, of the boys were suffering from lateral curvature Of the >-pine. Of this. - ie other of the more serious defects some- thing will be said later on. Of the sets of teeth examined in the course of the first inspection only 6.5 per cent, were tree decay, and over 30 per cent, of the mouths were in a dangerously foul condition. As I do not intend to return to this point, it ma\ I In passing, that when the British Dental Association examined over 10,500 children, for most pari I ig of working people, it was found that 14.2 per cent, of them had sound teeth, one of the ansa ; inian examination, 13 ■> ie, w ; it revealed a large ■ " er cent, of fl bildren round to be dirty in clothing and 6 per cent, were found to be dirty in bo< \ curious point In this connection ; ^ that when the average child Is answerable for ii •• me gii i in 10, and only oi • boy 220 in 20 was found to be dirty in body. Perhaps this is due to the tact that in the poorer sort of home there is no bathroom, and that for Hobart lads the River Derwent affords a delight- ful bathing place. Passing on to the important question of eye-sight, there is a somewhat striking difference between the results of 1906 and 1907-8 examination. In the former, 55.8 per cent, of the children were reported as having good eye- sight, 30.4 per cent, as having fair, and 7.8 per cent, as having distinctly bad. In the 1907-8 report 10.68 per cent, of the City children and 9.28 of the country, were reported as having sight so defective that it must interfere with Their develppe- ineut. To the fashion in which we are being converted into a nation of spectacle wearers, a reference will be made later. In the meantime mention may be made of the striking fact, that when Dr. Kerr, of the London School Board, made his examination of over a thousand children, he found that a- mongst those who were under six years of age. only 5 in a hundred had defective sight, whilst amongst those who had reached the standards the percentage was just double. As to the hearing of Tasmanian children, the 1906 report set it down as defective in 12.17 per cent., the 1908 gave the per- centage amongst the City children as 10.94. That is a compara- tively satisfactory state of things, for researches in Eden- borough and Dundee gave percentage of 40 and 44. At least one fourth of the children examined were suffering from adenoid growths. The earlier examination showed that 4.8 per cent, of those inspected were suffering from heart disease. A considerable number of children were set down as being so mentally defective that they could not derive any advantage from an attendance at schools conducted on the ordinary lines. That, however, is a matter which will demand fuller atten- tion a little later. Dr. Elkington, and those with whom he has been associat- ed, have devoted very considerable attention to tracing the cause of our high rate of infant mortality ami our excessive percentage of physically defective children. With the rate of infant mortality we are not at the present moment concerned, but probably for each unnecessary death there are three dam- aged survivors. Perhaps the most striking figures which have been sighted as illustrating the effect of environment on infant mortality relate to Birmingham and district. In poverty struck St. .Marys, the poorest part of Birmingham, the rate of infant mortality 331 per thousand. In Edgbaston, the most prosperous part of Birmingham, the rate is 133. But in Bourneville, Cadbury's Garden City, only 41 miles away, the 221 rate is 65 .Accepting the generalization made a few moments ago, it follows that St. Marys must give England avast num- ber of children doomed to swell the ranks of the unemployed. First amongst the causes of excessive infant mortality, and prime factor in the production of physically defective chil- dren. Dr. Elkington purs maternal ignorance. In his report of the 1900 inspection. Dr. Elkington says bluntly that " paternal neglect rather than real poverty underly the majority of cases of matunitution and of insufficient clothing.'' From time to time he has nrged the expenditure of a few hundred pounds per annum to provide trained nurses, whose business it would be to visit and where necessary, to instruct young mothers. In a recent report he said. " each decade, scores and scores of infant lives are sacrificed, which would be preserved if the slaughtered innocents received the amount of attention which tin- average fancier bestows on his puppies and pullets." I have referred to this matter at scores and scores of meetings in Hobart, but the matter lies outside the scope of party poli- tic, and broadly speaking, the public are profoundly indifferent. Another matter profoundly affecting this issue is the insan- itary housing of the poor. From time to time our City Coun- cil condemus certain houses as being unfit for human habita- tion. Having condemned them, it very often allows them to remain, because if the tenants are ejected there are no other hovels available. The Citizens' i.eagne of which I was the Hon. Secretary, and the Bishop of Tasmania was I 'resident, devoted a :rreat deal of attention to this matter. The Govern- or interested himself, the public opinion was so stirred that action seemed unavoidable. But vested interests ultimately prevailed. The League appealed to the City Council and ask- ed it to errect a number of cottages to take the place of those destroyed in the interest of public health. The Council refused on the ground that the undertaking might not prove finan- cially sound. The League then applied to the Benevolent Society, which has something over 10,000 invested. Bui that Society made i somewhat similar reply. It has a distinct aversion t<: laying up treasure in heaven and n marked fond- t'or treasures '■•' the mundane sort. The League then turn- ed to the Minfsterof the Crown. It pointed ou1 that the Rritish Parliament has directed, that when hovels are destroyed for the protection <>r the public health or in the interesl of the community at large, the municipality concerned shall provide housing conditioa equal to that done away With. .Ministers no money to spare. Said truly enough, thai as yet our Blums are veiy small slums, and promised thai when the evil 222 becomes big enough they, or their successors, would tackle it. Finally an effort was made to shape a Company to deal with the matter, but it failed, and to-day 1 can assert as the result of personal inspection, that large numbers of children are growing up in dens so danip and unwholesome that anything like healthy developement is all but impossible. In all this Hobart is no worse than certain mainland Cities. And the cheerful aspect of the matter is that the agitation conducted by the Citizens' League, though it did not result in State or Civic action has educated public opinion. Another outstanding cause of physical deficiency is bad con- struction of the school buildings and the ignorant conduct of school work. For example, reference has been made to the prevalence of curvature of the spine, especially among girls. How largely such curvature is due to the ignorance of the school master may be judged from what Mr. T. C. Hosfell tells us concerning the result of investigations made by the Com- mittee of Physical degeneracy in Germany and Switzerland. The Committee report : — " That while there was no perceptable curvature of the spine amongst children in their first school year, that is from six to seven, 6 per cent, of those in their second year, 19 per cent, of those in their third, 27 per cent, of those in their fourth, 52 per cent, of those in their fifth and sixth, suffered from curvature. In Lousanne the examination of upwards of 1,000 boys and 1,000 girls by Scholder. Weith, and Combe disclosed the fact that 23 per cent, of the boys and 26 per cent, of the girls had curvature of the spine. The number of cases increased till nearly the end of school life. The methods of the school-master which curve the spines of children in Switzerland and Germany do exactly the same thing in exactly the same way in England and Tasmania. Dr. Elkington says "I have no hesitation in stating my positive opinion that the greater part of the serious condition of affairs as regards lateral curvature of the spine, particularly in girls, is due to defective lighting and desking. Passing on to the matter of defective eye-sight, we find Dr. Elkington telling us that in Tasmania, short-sightedness is by product of the ill-conducted infant school. And the ill-con- ducted infant school be it understood is. in this regard, the ordinary infant school all the world over. By way of stressing that, here is a quotation from Dr. Kerr of the London School Board, he says. " The methods of the usual infant teaching is much too fine in hand and eye, and leads to nervous strain, to permanent habits of close eye work with stooping and tracted chest. The conditions which exist in infant schools 223 are fatal to eye-sight. The majority of children go through them without much danger, but children who have a tendency to weak sight are sure to succumb." Dr. Kerr condemns any rk in infant schools which involves the slightest strain on the ey< 3, and insists that black-board writing on a large scale should take the place of fine copy-book writing. But in the old fashioned State Schools, and in a good many private schools of to-day, those concerned were or are so absolutely ignorant of hygiene that they do not even realise the importance ot providing sufficient light, or of placing their windows in the corect position. This same ignorance of hygiene was all but universal, leil to a number of other and worse evils. For example, school- rooms were not properly ventilated and excessive number of children were often crowded into a limited space in a condition absolutely revolting. Drainage was unsatisfactory, the water 3upply for drinking purposes was often impure and generally onfiltered. As a result of the medical examination of which we have been talking, increased attention is given to elemen- tary hygiene. The subject is now taught in the Training Col- ge. But the Training College is a thing of yesterday. Under Mr. Johnston it is doing splendid work, but the old style of" teacher still holds his own in Tasmania, as lie does in some other parts of the world. Those who know human nature will not attach too much impon to mere teaching of the teachers. They will nolo that a large number of those who are in training violate all the law- of health iii their desire to attain high places in their cla 3. But perhaps the teaching of the teachers will lead to the instruction of the children in the elementary principlls - •. and as the whole Committee is instructed the effects ■ t the instruction become cumulative. The individual disposed t" do foolish things in spite of knowledge, but when all possess the knowledge he is restrained by the influ- ence of those aboul him who are not tempted as lie is tempted. Co-day, for example, the enlightened few find it very difficult i breath pure air unless they are ready to be condemned to But when all realise the Importance of fresh air, ..in- windows will he thrown open. Dr. Elkington has pro duced two very admirable little hand hooks, one for school dldren, and the other for school teachers, in which the laws lucidly stated. ft itl the education of must 101 be neglected. In Tasmania Dr. Gertrude Bailey is doing admir- able work by visiting the country schools observl g I and then chatting to th - m >ttfers. a few 224 enthusiasts are doing all they can to diffuse information con- cerning sanitary matters. It must be confessed however, that local bodies, or some of them still display that tenderness for dirt which characterised members of some Victorian Shire Counrils a few years ago. Another matter which is of vital importance is the pointing out to parents of any serious defects in the physical of mental condition of their children. In the great majority of cases the notification produces the desired effect. Where it fails to do that, the law has armed the authorities with power to step in and undertake the education of children whose defects are very marked. In this matter Mr. Xeale tells me the Tasmania^ Education Act is more advanced than that of any other State. It gives the authorities power to take any defective child from its par- ents or guardians and to train it, the training being at their expense so far as they are able to pay. The Medical Inspection of schools makes a number of vitally important reforms inevitable. Already in Tasmania it has well nigh vanished the dirty child from the school. Even the delinquent mother of these latter days can be reached through, her vanity, and, if in some few cases, she has lost the sense of shame, her children fear the merciless criticism of boys and girls in whom a corporate regard for cleanliness has been in- spired. Again the disclosures made by the Medical Officers who have carried out the work of inspection, have done much to reduce uneoncious cruelty to children. Take one or two exam- ples. Scores of children who were written down as deliber ately indolent by the teachers, were found by the doctors to- be merly physically defective. A boy, for example, quite fails to profit by the teacher's black-board explanation of a simple problem. He is kept in after school. In the almost empty room he can come close to the board. For the first time he sees the explanation clearly, and for the first time he grasps it. He does the work correctly in the detention hour which he failed to do in school time. And as he hurries off to join his fellows in the football field his teacher naturally mutters, " A lazy young rescal with whom stern measures must be taken." Children who were deaf, who were suffering from adenoid growths land Othen physical defects were by the teachers equal- ly misjudged. The enquiries made in Tasmania give us the sig- nificant fa( children have been found in the Schools of the tWO Citll 3 Whose SChoOl life is a misery to thein- and, in some case-, a menace to those about them. 226 Ocasionally the dull boy or girl is goaded by brighter school- fellows till, in a moment of passion, the sufferer strikes a dan- gerous blow. In others a lack of moral sense leads to shock- ing exhibitions. Dr. Gertrude Halley has so strongly impres- sed this upon the Minister of Education that he is about to establish a special school for children mentally feeble, but not imbecile. They will be brought to the school, if necessary, gratuitously, by train or tram. In the classroom they will be under the control of lady teachers, selected as possessing the highest emotional and intellectual qualities. These ladies will be in constant touch with the officers by whom the medical inspection of schools is carried out. It is clear that our most highly gifted teacher will undertake this work only inspired by a deep religious feeling. I use the word "religious" in its widest sense, without reference to the dogma or the ritual of any church. The vital thing is that those who undertake the training of the abnormal child should hold a spiritual, as opposed to the vulgarly materialistic, view of the child and of the universe in which it finds itself. Granted that, it matters nothing as regards our present purpose whether those who staff a school for defective children are Protestant or Catho- lic, orthodox or unorthodox, whether with Paley they accept the Thirty-nine Articles and sigh for yet another, or whether with Huxley they stand bareheaded in the presence of the great mystery. There must be infinite tenderness in the treat- ment of the abnormal child if it is to develop the faint spark of the divine which lies latent. There must be infinite pa- tience, ungrudging efforts for results which seem small, which would be far too small to justify the sacrifice involved were the child's brief span of earthly life all. But it is a sacrifice which may be cheerfully made by the man or woman of any creed who holds that death is indeed the gate of life. MR. T. S. REED. The Chairman suggested that they should send a message of congratulation to Mr. T. S. Reed, who had attained that day to the advanced age of 91 years. Mr. Reed was one of the earliest workers for the children of the State. Miss Spence (S.A.) moved — '"That this congress is not unmind- ful of the great services rendered by Mr. T. S. Reed in the cause of boarding out State children in South Australia, and desires to con- vey to him a message of congratulation on this the ninety-first anni- versary of his birth." She had worked for 14 years with Mr. Reed in the same cause when he was secretary to the voluntary society. He travelled through the length and breadth of the land finding homes for the children, and threw himself into the 227 -whole work with zeal. That was to have been referred to in the chaptei by Miss Clark in her book on State children, but ir was missed, and she hoped Mr. Reed would accept that motion as some- thing of an apology. Mr. C. H. Goode (S.A.), in seconding, said Mr. Head had never got th< recognition for the work he had performed for the good of the community to which he was entitled, and he was glad that the opportunity was being taken to recognise his work. The motion was carried unanimously. LADY BOSANQTJET AND CHIEF JUSTICE WAY. Mr. day (SA said that Lady Bosanquet, wife of His Excel- lency the Governor, and the Chief Justice (Sir Samuel Way) were aentarily expected, and perhaps they might hear Dr. Rogers afterwards. The distinguished visitors were accorded a hearty welcome. The Chairman said the congress was honoured by the pre- sence of Her Excellency. Th Children's Council had been much favoured by viceregal sympathy with its work, and it was a happy augury for the department that Lady Bosanquet had so graciously come among them. (Applause.) They knew they had also the sympathy of His Excellency the Governor, who had been unfortunately unable to attend. He wished also to express their thanks to the Chief Justice for being present. They had a warm pla.e in their hearts for the great work performed by His Honor in connection with the dependent children in South Australia. (Ap- plause. The Chief Justice thanked the congress for the generous recep- tion which had been given him. He wished to thank them for their kind recognition of the small services he was able to render i«i the boarding-oul system many years ago. Though the Congress ended Its sittings thai day. the work that had been performed and the recommendations made would be the common property of the S and for many years the state children would feel the beneficial <-\r<"i of their deliberations. He had not now the time t.p devote to th< cause which they had so much at heart. But there w< re oth< Th* Miss Spence. (Applause.) Her naiir household word in Australia, In England, and in Ame rica. I; Beemed to him thai tended nearly every caueu to which she devoted her greal energies, and not the least was the cause of the boarding-oul Bystem. He regretted thai a lady who i senior to Miss Spence In the movement had been unable in ittend the congress. Thai lady was Miss Clark. (Applause.' She bad radiated the *hol< I with the beauty of her 228 pathies. It was impossible to resist the persuasiveness of her man- ner and her spirit. They should not forget another old friend. Although at the time he differed with him on certain points of administration of the boarding-out system, they ought not to forget the name of Mr. T. S. Reed. The Chairman — We have just formulated a message to him. The Chief Justice was glad to add his humble tribute to Mr. Reed's services. He must also mention Mr. C. H. Goode. That gentleman, with the gift of perpetual youth, did his work for the State Children's Department as vigorously as he worked half a century ago, and he looked upon Mr. Goode and Miss Spence as the two youngest souls in the congress. (Applause.) He ex- pressed his gratification of seeing the representatives of the other States. He had a keen recollection of the experience which he gathered from visiting Victoria and New South Wales. In the latter State he met the late Dr. Renwick, who gave his great ability and energy for the services of this cause as President of the society there, and whose work he had an opportunity of in- specting around Sydney and suburbs. There was a lady of New South Wales, who was formerly connected with South Australia, and he wanted to remind his New South Wales friends that, al- though they had a fine harbour, many good men and women had been grown in the farinaceous village. (Applause and laughter.) Mrs. Garran — (applause) — hailed from South Australia, and he had the pleasure and pride of seeing the great work she was doing for the State children of New South Wales at the time of his visit. They must have had mention during the sittings of the work of Mr. Williams, who. after he retired from an important public office, became the first secretary of the Victorian State Children's De- partment. He had never seen greater enthusiasm displayed by any one than that by Mr. Williams in the cause of the State Chil- dren of Victoria. (Applause.) It was done with so much bold- ness. In Victoria they abandoned the industrial schools and boldly adopted the boarding-out system. The Misses Hill were so much struck with Mr. Williams's reports that they asked him (the speaker) if there was not too much of the coleur de rose, but he was able to assure them that Mr. Williams was speaking from authenticated facts. He wish to mention also Mr. Williams's lieutenant and successor, Mr. Miller, who had gone over to the great majority. He desired also to express his thanks to the President for the compliment in asking him to deliver the inaugural address. Even if he had had time he should have declined, because Mr. Rhodes, as his admirable address had shown, had been able to speak from a closer acquaintance with the latest phase of the work in South Australia than it would have been possible for him to have done. (Applause.) 229 MEDICAL INSPECTION OF SCHOOLS. Dr. Rogers (S.A.) said be felt some curiosity as to how Mr. MacMaster would deal with the subject of his paper, and he was pleased to rind that he bad related the experiences of his own State. They all agreed with him when he said that if the defects, mental and physical, were to be corrected in the community they must endeavour to do it wisely through training in the schools. Some of tiie resttlts tbat bad been found on medical inspection of schools in Tasmania were rather remarkable: and, so far as his own experience bad gone, it would not altogether agree with them. He began bis duties in the < ►bservation School in Currie street, which was supposed to have the lowest type of children in the schools, and be was prepared to find a great amount of dirt in th( -' h'" I. So far as he bad gone, however, he bad rarely come across • rty child. In fact, the dirty child had been conspicu- ous by bi< absence rather than by his presence. He was told by tin schoolmaster that when the school opened a great many dirty children i ed, but the problem was dealt with by the teachers then si - who took the children and tubbed them in the presence ach other. (Laughter.) There lias been a fallacy in the work of the s.-hool induced by the necessity for obtaining the permission of the .. ■ the examination of their children. Parents had to a tent attended to the clothing and condition of tiie child before it y They ought to be pleased to think that Tin s< ise ; - was so well present among the people of the lower classes in Adelaide. The question of fresh air in liou«e- had no doubt a great deal to do with bad defects among children. Some 20 odd years ago, when he first entered into prac- tice, it was s< of running the gauntlet in entering a sick- m. . the low classes, that had been almost abolished. Public opinion had been educated, and the people understood the ty for fresh air ami ventilation. It showed iy that the efforts in that direction had not been unavailing. (Hear, hear.) Curvature of the spine was a defect which he scarcely came across in the children. lie did not think that was due to better lighting in the schools, because the schools were very defective in thai matter, even to the present day. In one of the schools in tip city which he visited the other day he found the light in the nd the children Bitting in their A more defectively lighted school for children he could scarcely Imagine. Throal d< teds were extremely oumerous. Probably beta een 60 and 70 per cent, of the children were • .in adenoid growths and enlarged tonsils. Eyesight was also def< a Adelaide, lint nol *" the same extent a-' had bei a found 'n other countries. ( itively few children would be 230 found to have norma] eyesight, but grave defects of vision were not very numerous. He was pleased to hear from Mr. MacMaster that some attempt was to be made to provide for the mentally defective children of Tasmania. It seemed to be apparent, how- ex er, that thai was to be done through the Education Department: but their visitor also informed them that Victoria was going to move in tin- same direction, but through the Lunacy Department. The problem ought not to be attacked from the Education Depart- eient. Education Departments might be qualified to deal witu normal children, but he doubted whether they were qualified to deal with abnormal children. That was a class which should be dealt with by itself. A great commission had recently concluded its report in England. That commission sat for four years, and considered the care which should be bestowed upon the feeble minded. That commission was of the opinion that the question should be dealt with from the Lunacy Department of each State. The other day he was asked to give evidence before the Lunacy Commission which sat in Adelaide, and he advised that the South Australian system of official visitors should be discontinued, and that a small board of commissioners should be appointed to deal with mental questions. That would probably provide the neces- sary machinery for South Australia. A board of that sort could have its powers extended to deal with cases not only sheltered in an asylum, hut also mentally afflicted children and persons tnrougn- out the State. The English commission thought that, in addition to a central authority, the local governing bodies could act as local committees. Notification of some sort should be made one of the conditions, and all persons should be compelled to notify those sup- posed to be mentally defective. The police also should be made to notify all who were mentally defective, and in that way the central authority with the local committees could deal with the question in a satisfactory way. That was apparently what they were about to give effect to in Victoria. Although the scheme might seem costly in the beginning, it would in the end greatly benefit the State, and large financial savings would be made in other ways. It would be wise for the congress to pass a resolu- 1ion on the subject. It was a matter which was now claiming the active attention of many countries, and they should not be behindhand in making their recommendations on the subject. (Applause, i Mr. Goode (S.A.) certainly thought it was the duty of the Government to see to the wellbeing of the mentally afflicted chil- dren. It was necessary, especially where private benevolence failed to provide for the weakminded. Many of those things were better carried out by private individuals, who put their hearts into the work where the Government did not. He need go no further 231 than the State Children's Council to show that the Government was not always the best to manage things. The soft sympa- thetic hand of charity was far better than the hard and unsympa- thetic hand of the State in dealing with those cases, more especially with the weakminded and epileptics. In taking up that work lately he had shown his sincerity in this matter. He could under stand the difference between State-managed hospitals and those privately managed. Take, for instance, the Adelaide Hospital, managed by the Government. In that hospital the Government •uas responsible for everything, and the consequence was that very few people subscribed to it. The Children's Hospital was sup- ported by private individuals, and carried on by private agencies. They had the Chief Justice, who had been President since its commencement. There had been no difficulty whatever about the Children's Hospital. The Government gave it a subsidy of £1,000 ;i year, and that carried inspection if they liked to make it. The public subscribed well to the funds. As to the Adelaide Hospital, they all knew wha »as ois alts had occurred when a some- what erratic politician came into power and Parliament demolished the splendid m< ihool which was being conducted there. The Hospital had never recovered from that terrible shock. Numbers of the students had to go elsewhere. The constant changes oC Government made it undesirable to give them too much control of such institutions. They got a greater continuity in a private hos pital than in the other. A change of Government often meant a change of policy. In America, at the election of the President, the spoii< went to the victors, and a great deal of trouble aros They had a Dumber of charitable institutions in South Australia, and though he had been around the world twice since ho was 70 years of -• ho had never found charitable institutions I < onducted than those in this State. It would be a loss to the com- munity to have all those institutions placed in the hands of the Government. They had bad for many years now a Home Tor Weakminded Children, through the efforts of Sir Josiah Symon and • they had a property at Brighton costing about £6,000, .Hid they were hoping to build a homo for £3.000. He believed th( nmenl would give them assistance toward the building, and if it was seen to be carried on properly no doubt they would . -ernmenl aid from year to year. Whatever given ho hoped Mi" Government would always of inspection. Dr. Rogi S.A.) moved "1 various siatos endeavour o the main immendations of the British i: Commission for the < u id Protection of the Feeble Miu i!>"i 19 would probably have all the machinery in • lortly. in some of the eastei 232 they had ii already. They had an Inspector-General of the Insane, although he objected to the retention of the word "insane." Thai word could he altered, and the Inspector-General could be the President of the board. Mr. Goode (S.A.) seconded. Miss Spence (S.A.) said there was a little ambiguity about the term "feeble minded/' There were children who were dull and slow, but they could not be considered imbecile or feeble minded, and there should be a recommendation that the schools should make provision for the education of the backward children. It would be difficult for private charity to deal with the feeble-minded children. Certainly private charity could be active, and was active throughout the Commonwealth, but those children should be a charge on the whole community. There was a danger to the community, and that danger should be lessened by the proper train ing and education of those children. It was a national matter, as with the neglected and delinquent children. Mr. Goode had said many sensible things about not depending too much on the Government. The Chairman said it had always been a problem to him why the Government should take nil sorts of care to educate and train the normal child, whereas the children who were most in need of care were left by the Government without education. Some years ago he proposed to the Education Department that there should be a special regulation with regard to those children, but it was not entertained. Carried unanimously. LICENSED HOMES AND FOSTER MOTHERS. Miss Spence (S.A.) moved — "That this congress is of opinion that all infants placed out by their own mothers should be in charge of licensed women only, and subject to inspection by a duly qualified woman." Infant mortality had been much checked in South Australia, she said, by the admirable regulations of the Des- titute Board that a mother who went to the Destitute to be confined should be compelled to stay there for six months and give the natural food to the infant, and that when she left she was to keep it or put it in a place which was supervised by the beard. That regulation was inspired. by the late Mr. James Smith, when Mr. 1. S. Reed was the secretary. Some years ago that department was handed over to the State Children's Department, and the results of Miss Moule's inspection, first of the home and then of the foster mother, had resulted in the most remarkable reduction of infant mortality, perhaps, in the world. When the matter was in the hands of the police the foster mother could hoodwink them; but they could not hoodwink a kindly, thoughtful, sensible woman. 233 She was glad to know that Victoria had taken that duty from the police and given it to three capable ladies. That branch of their work was of world-wide importance. Mr. Herbert Samuel, in his Children's Act. had insisted upon proper inspection of infants by a duly accredited woman. That was wanted also in America, where they were strong in Children's Courts, but weak in preserving infant life. It was important that they sbould have no baby farming in Australia. Mrs. Gover (W.A.) was glad to second the motion. They had such a provision in Western Australia, and the homes as well as the women were licensed. Since the lady inspectors had been appointed the death rate among infants had dropped remarkably. Western Australia had had some unenviable experiences in baby farming, but such a thing was not now possible. < .1 tried unanimously. DIRECTING PARLIAMENTARY ATTENTION. Mr. MacMaster (T.) moved — "That the members of this con- gres undertake to press the motions carried during the various sessions on the attention of the Ministers of the Crown and mem- bera of Parliament in their respective States." If they wanted the congress to have a practical effect they must peg away at their public men. What they achieved would depend also on the way the women used their votes. He was a bit disappointed at the way the women of Tasmania at the recent elections had listened to the party drum caH, with the result that they had got merely a duplication of the male von . The women especially should favour that party which would do everything in its power to pro- mute the welfare of the children in the community. Miss Goldstein V.) seconded, and undertook to make the lives of the Ministers in Victoria fairly unhappy until they got some- thing. Carried unanimously. THANKS TO THE PRESS. The Chairman said they had been treated so handsomely by the press thai the ' si they could do was to pass a vote of thanks to them. Mr. Smeaton, M.P. (S.A.), had much pleasure in moving the motion. Votes of thanks to the press a* a rule were merely an Indication thai meet! . tming 1<> a close, and that people ad to gel . ...-. In thie case, however, they were under ii rtebl of gratitude to the press which they found it difficult to <\|M' The congress did not And its value only in the expres- sions at tie sessii bu1 in the Influence of tin.-' expressions de. He beli< I d reported their meetings bad 234 bad great sympathy with the gathering. He knew how a reporter might just leave out exactly the thing that wanted to be said because he bad no sympathy with the speaker. But in this case the reporters had taken the gist of everything as it came along, and had presented it to the public. He moved— "That the thanks of this congress be given to the press for the attention given to the meetings and the reports thereon." Mr. Spargo (Q.) rose to heartily second the motion. Miss Goldstein (V.) supported. In Victoria they suffered from lack of sympathy on the part of the newspapers, and she had been struck by the fairness and length of the reports in the South Aus- tralian papers. On their side anything of a great social or indus- trial matter was passed over almost in silence, and she hoped the example of the South Australian papers would be followed by the Melbourne press. Mr. Gray (S.A.) supported the resolution heartily, not only be- cause of the full and good reports that had been given of their meetings, but because of the entire sympathy of the press repre- sentatives. They always got something more than fair treatment -from the Adelaide press. They were very good, and he believed honestly that the proprietors and editors of both daily papers in Adelaide had at heart the work of the State Children's Depart- ment and the work of all those who were engaged in elevating children. Carried with acclamation. TEACHING HYGIENE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Dr. Helen Mayo (S.A.) said she had heard Mr. Mac-Master refer to the importance of teaching hygiene in schools, and she moved — "That this congress recognises the importance of the teaching of hygiene in the public schools." Mr. Smeaton, M.P. (S.A.), seconded, because there was a move- ment afoot to have the Government take a more lively interest in the matter. The South Australian Government was in full sympathy with the idea, and before long they would have hygiene taught in th" public schools. Mrs. Williams (Q.) suggested that the motion should be incor- porated with the one relating to the teaching of scientific tempe- rance. Dr. Mayo (S.A.) would be glad to make them both into one resolution. On the suggestion of the Chairman the words "and hygiene" were added after "temperance" in Mrs. Williams's resolution . BOUND COPIES OF REPORT. Mr. Spargo (Q.) had thought, as they were having a special report of the congress, that they might have a few copies bound 235 in doth for the various delegates to serve as a memento of the gathering. The Chairman .said perhaps the delegates themselves could arrange for special copies. The ordinary reports would be sup- plied to them. Mr. Gray - -aid the position was that they had been voted a certain sum of money to cover the cost of about 1.000 copies with paper covers. If any delegate or a number of delegates -wanted them bound in cloth he would be pleased to arrange for them if they would be responsible for the cost. He expected to be able to send - ral copies to each delegate, and probably some to circulate in the different States. No plan had yet been formu- lated for t ' -rribution. INTERSTATE THANKS. Miss in (V.) moved— "That the visiting delegates to this ■ rdially thank the State Children's Council of South Australia for U valuable opportunity it has provided for iuter- of thought and action in regard to social problems that are exer - - of all workers among defendent and delin- I children; and, further, the delegates thank the authorities in South Australia and in their respective States for providing raihv:i.\ and shipping transportation to enable them to attend the congress. ! shed to offer her heartfelt thanks to the State < bild i - < ouncil for having invited her to be a member of the had enjoyed it immensely. it had been a stimu- lating - -- md she would go back much enlightened. She I tence to the gentlemen who had at- They were much indebted to them, and I the generous, chivalrous way in which the ed her more than all others. That was th-3 godly influence that had prevailed throughout. Every one had wo) : _ the lives of the little ones hapi'ier I S Celt thai the congress was one of the i She i i school all the time, and v luMi s»hc i (tun - rould do all she could to bring Wes1 South Australia. She wanted to do -ill tl : i help the little ones. Thej country, and they had a hard .t. _ to be on the bottom rung of the ■ mm! for another year they might . oppoi - p. l f they wer t spared i that the great, good <;.>d might 236 take each one of them and receive them with the words— "Well done." Mrs. Williams (Q.) wished to support the resolution. She hoped that one result of the congress would be that they would in some senr-e be able to catch up to South Australia. The dele- gates from Queensland recognised the kindness of the State Chil- dren's Council in making the congress possible, and they felt deeply indebted to its members for the hospitality which had been extended. They would leave with a strong desire to put into practice some of the lesfons they had learnt. She hoped this was not the only congress that would be held, and that Brisbane might some dav attain to the holding of a similar gathering. Nothing would give the Queensland Government greater pleasure than to make it pos- sible to hold such a congress. Carried unanimously. FULLARTON REFUGE. Mrs. Edwards (T.) wished to say a word of appreciation of the Refuge at Fullarton, which she had visited that morning. Excel- lent work was being carried on there, and that particular work appealed strongly to her. When the girls went there they pro- mised to stay for six months, and some of them remained for a smell longer term. Their appearance and that of the infants spoke -volumes for their treatment, and she strongly advised all the delegates who could to accept Archbishop O'Reily's invitation to visit that admirable home. INVITATION TO MOUNT LOFTY. Lady Ponython (S.A.1 invited the delegates to have afternoon tea with hei at Mount Lofty on Monday afternoon next. THANKS TO THE PRESIDENT. Mr. Longmore (W.A.) said it would be hardly fair to go with- out thanking their President. He thanked the members of the council most sincerely for their kindness to him, not only on this occasion, but a+ other times. The Western Australian State Chil- dren's Act was copied from South Australia, and that surely was an appreciation. Mr. Rhodes had presided over the deliberations of the congress with the kindness that was characteristic of that gentleman. Mrs. Edwaids (T.) had pleasure in seconding the motion, and wished to add a few words of admiration for the way everything had been carried out. They had much to learn in Tasmania yet, and she hoped they would be able to induce their Government to establish a State Children's Council like the one in South Australia. Carried with acclamation. 237 The Chairman, in reply, said he was much obliged to the con- gress for its goodness in passing the resolution. Personally he was indebted to the mover, who had helped him in the work of the ■chair. THE HOSTS AND HOSTESSES. Mr. Ferguson (Q.) moved — "That the best thanks of this con- gress be tendered to the hosts and hostesses who have provided hospitality for the visitors." Mr. Spargo (Q.) seconded. Mrs. W^liams (Q.) — We should all like to support that. Carried liFanimously. The ("bail man — That closes our congress. I am exceedingly obliged to you all for your attendance, and the papers delivered, and for the high character of the proceedings. VS. K. TWuaa & Co., Printers, Qrenfcil Street. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. -Series 444 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 1 1 in mi 1 111 111 111 1 1 iii || mi in imii AA 000 458 613 7 HV 161 1909