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THE CHILD'S GUARDIAN.
dirty and his head was in a verminous condition. The lad had set alight to some sticks in the fireplace and was shivering with cold. The home and bedding were still in a filthy condition, there being no improvement whatever, and there was no food in the house save crusts. The following day the Inspector went again, accompanied by a doctor, who, after examining both the boys and the home, advised their instant removal to a place of safety. The Inspector accordingly obtained the necessary order from the Magistrates and removed the boys. It is not sufficiently realised by the layman that once the above action has been taken the machinery of the law has already been set in motion, and, in accordance with the law's provisions, a hearing before the Magistrates must follow. This is all to the good, for it enables persons about whose conduct there is complaint to come before the Magistrates and show cause why their children should not be removed from their care.
The certificate of the doctor on which the Inspector acted was as follows:-
"Both children were verminous as to heads and bodies, clothes dirty and verminous. The elder boy was fairly well nourished and healthy. The younger was poorly nourished. The bedding was filthy and verminous. On one bed there was a new coverlet. There was practically no food. Both children were neglected and the neglect was of long standing. It has caused them unnecessary suffering and is likely to be injurious to their health, so much so that I advised their instant removal."
A responsible official also gave the following report :-
"They are the most untidy and filthy children I have seen. The home is the worst I have ever seen, I do not think it has been cleaned up at all for the past six weeks, and it is worse than a pigsty. From what I could gather no provision was made as regards the children's mid-day meal they were left to the neighbour's generosity." As has already been clearly stated, the machinery of the law having been set in motion, someone must appear before the Magistrates in order that the provisions of the Children Act be carried out. The Society has not looked after the country's badly treated children for forty-six years without coming by much experience of practical affairs in the process. Had only the father in this instance been brought before the Magistrates, he would, doubtless, have said that the fault that the home was dirty was that of his daughter, and there was even the possibility of the Magistrates being influenced by his statements. The case against him might, possibly, have been dismissed. Thus, the Society's intervention on behalf of these suffering children would have been worthless, and the father might thereupon have claimed successfully to have the boys returned to the home which has been described. On the other hand, it is clear that Parliament, when it agreed to the passing of the Children Act, had in mind such cases as this, for Section 12 clearly states that any person over the age of sixteen who has the custody, charge or care of any child or young person, and who wilfully neglects such child or young person in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health, shall be guilty of a misdemeanour and shall be liable to certain penalties which are defined in the Act.
It will be obvious to all fair-minded people that, in the interests of these children, a full opportunity should be offered the Magistrates of exercising justice. The Society, therefore, decided to prose-
- APRIL, 1930.
cute both father and daughter. Our supporters will not need to be told that the decision was come to with regret, for it is our desire, as it is the aim of the Society's Inspectors, to bring about satisfactory conditions for children without recourse to a police court. Nevertheless, when that decision is inevitable
and in this instance there is no possible doubt upon that point-steps must be taken in order to secure that justice shall not fail because of a techni- cality or because of a failure to reproduce in Court the full facts.
With the decision of the Magistrates the Society cannot quarrel. To do so would constitute an excursion from its own province. If there are those who think that a girl of nineteen should not go to prison for such an offence, they should at least remind themselves that Magistrates generally have had more than the average layman's opportunity for weighing up the results of sentences which they impose. They have, also, the benefit, which the outsider has not, of hearing all the facts and of seeing the defendants. There will be no criticism of the Inspector's patience in dealing with this case, where he showed exemplary reluctance to hurry into Court without giving both defendants the best advice, and the fairest of warnings that if they did not alter their habits they would find themselves where they eventually did.
THE WORK IN IRELAND.
It was a matter of real regret and disappointment to the Director that owing to exceptional circum- stances requiring his presence in England in connection with the Committee Stage of the Canal Boats Bill he was unable at the last moment to attend the series of specially arranged public meet- ings in the south of Ireland last month. The success, however, which marked these gatherings brought its compensation in the knowledge of the loyalty of the Society's many friends and of the generous expressions of opinion which marked the speeches. Mr. F. J. Mehew (Assistant Secretary) represented the Director at meetings which took place at Kilkenny, Waterford and Cork, while in Dublin itself the highly successful "Pancake Dance" organized by Mrs. Maud Walsh afforded the valued opportunity of an appeal to some 600 dancers. The Kilkenny meeting had as its chairman The Most Rev. Dr. Collier, D.D., Bishop of Ossory, who gave great encouragement by his public commendation of the Society's work and an appeal for increased support, in which he was followed by the Very Rev. Dean Phair, an old friend of the Society. At Waterford the Mayor presided, and showed by his speech a knowledge of the work, which he said had always appealed to him as a private individual, and which he was now happy to support and advocate as the civic head of Waterford. The Rev. Father O'Toole, C.C., President of the Cork Branch, presided at this meeting, and once again made clear his appreciation of the Society's activities and the need for continuing them, in which he was admirably followed by the Very Rev. Dean Babington.
The thanks of the Society are due to the many friends who made it possible for this series of meet- ings to be held, and especially to the Honorary Officials who did everything to ensure success.
APRIL, 1930.
THE CHILD'S GUARDIAN.
Cases from Ireland.
THE TRACING OF DESERTERS.
Looking over some of the many cases dealt with by the twenty-six Inspectors stationed in Ireland there comes the conviction that the Society is a real help.
This is recognised not only by those who appeal to the Society for protection, but by public authorities, especially those whose responsibility it is to administer justice. The Society has won and retains the confidence of the people by reason of its human procedure and recognition of the rights of parents as well as children, and by the methods it employs in securing justice for those in need. Contrasted with England and Wales, there is little variation in the nature of the cases dealt with, though circumstances in some parts of Ireland undoubtedly contribute to that form of neglect which arises from desertion, or from children suffering
as the outcome of residence in isolated districts under conditions difficult sometimes to appreciate, and news of which often takes a long time to find its way to those who can help.
T
In Ireland, as elsewhere, children suffer because of ignorance or of the neglect of someone to tell. Visualise the boy of nine, with intense pain in the eye, the result of an injury through being struck with a stone. For twelve months he endured agony which must have continued if someone had not at last told the Society. When the Inspector visited the boy he was appalled at the sight. The eye bulged right away from the face. Immediate treat- ment was obtained and the eye taken away. I'm all right now," said the lad to the Inspector when seen in hospital, "I don't feel I have it at all now,"
Going for a walk one Sunday morning in mid- winter an Inspector came upon a family of four children-13, 7, 3 and 2 years-huddled round a wood fire. Near the fire was a little boy of seven obviously in pain. Finding he was suffering from hernia which called for urgent treatment, the Officer obtained clothing and blankets and, having made the child comfortable and warm, went for the Doctor,
PROTECTING CHILDREN IN HONG KONG. The Colonial Office announces the formation of the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children. One of the last acts of the late Governor, Sir Cecil Clementi (now transferred to Singapore) was to preside over the inaugural meeting of the Society, which was held in the City Hall on January 21st.
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through whose good offices the lad was removed to hospital and operated upon. The neglect of the child- while serving his term of imprisonment the Society ren generally led to the prosecution of the father, but paid for the garaging of his van that he might have a chance to earn his living when he came out. and the methods by which he is sometimes traced, The desertion of families by the bread-winner
south of Ireland. Nearly six years ago a man, are represented in two cases which come from the
All efforts to trace
a foreigner, left his Irish wife. him proved unavailing. Last year his eldest girl died, and the Inspector thereupon advised the wife to insert an obituary notice in the local paper of the country from which the man came, and provided The relatives, as was hoped, saw the notice and one her with the necessary funds with which to do it. sent a message of condolence. Inquiries were then the man, and certain advice was given which led to his made as to information which might result in tracing being discovered in South Wales, where he had gone through a form of marriage for which he was con- victed. Seen in prison, he agreed to make an allowance to his wife, and did so. On his release he asked his wife and family to return, and the man's employer advanced him a sufficient sum for travelling expenses.
The other case concerns a man who defied the American Society to compel him to provide for his wife and children who were in such poverty in Ireland that the mother had to pawn her wedding ring to find money to feed her children. On the Inspector's advice she saw the American Consul, and through this channel the husband was informed that unless he fulfilled his undertaking to send for his family and provide for them in the meantime he would run the risk of deportation. On this ultimatum he cabled for his wife and two children and his mother-in-law, who are now in New York, where they will be under the protection of the Courts. Before the mother sailed the Inspector obtained sufficient moncy to redeem her wedding ring.
Last December an Ordinance was passed by the Hong-Kong Legislature to meet the Colonial Office requirements for the suppression of the evils arising from the Mui-tsai system, which is that of the adoption or sale of Chinese girls between the ages of 4 and 14 as domestic servants. The system itself is to be brought to an end as soon practicable.
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as
The Society aims at the protection of children and young persons by preventing, removing, or The foregoing announcement will give pleasure mitigating any injustice done to them; the safe- to those who in recent months have freely voiced guarding of their morals and the avoidance of any their concern in respect of a class of children in a unnecessary suffering or injury to health; and British Colony. The terms which describe the aims generally the protection of the interests of children. of the newly formed Society are such that friends of The Society further intends to take steps for the our own organisation will correctly surmise that we enforcement of any existing law for the protection were consulted when steps were being taken for its of children or in their interests; to advocate and formation. The knowledge and experience accumu- promote any amendment of any law which may belated by the Society were readily placed at the desirable in the cause; to educate the public disposal of the authorities. Furthermore, the generally in the interests of the welfare of the Director had the privilege of an interview with the young; and to maintain an institution for the newly appointed Governor of Hong Kong, Sir above objects. The movement has the support William Peel, who will be happy to afford his support of the most prominent members of the Chinese to the new Society. Our good wishes are extended community.
to this latest sister organisation within the Empire.
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