Children's Court or from any decision of the Superintendent
regarding any child.
_XVII. Summary of Conclusions_
1. Sexual immorality among juveniles has become a world-wide problem of
increasing importance, but the great majority of the young people of
this Dominion are healthy-minded and well-behaved.
2. As sexual immorality is generally clandestine, is often not criminal,
and even when criminal may not be detected, there are not any statistics
from which it can be shown whether, or to what extent, it has increased.
3. During recent years the pattern of sexual misbehaviour has changed:
it has spread to younger groups; girls have become more precocious;
immorality has been organized; the mental attitude of some boys and
girls towards misconduct has altered; and there is evidence that
homosexuality may be increasing.
4. The new pattern of juvenile immorality is uncertain in origin,
insidious in growth, and has developed over a wide field.
5. Objectionable publications ought to be banned by establishing a
system for the registration of distributors of certain printed matter.
Urgent action is necessary so that publications now banned in other
countries will not be dumped into this Dominion.
6. The absence of regulations necessary to make the Film Censor's
recommendations effective deprives parents of the protection which the
Legislature intended for them.
7. The possibility that children may hear radio programmes unsuitable
for them calls for firmness and discretion on the part of parents and
more care by the Broadcasting Service in arranging and timing
programmes. Serials and recordings giving undue emphasis to crime or sex
are not desirable, nor is the frequent repetition of recordings that are
capable of misinterpretation, particularly in times like the present.
8. Advertisers should realize that the increasing emphasis on sex
attraction is objectionable to some and, possibly, harmful to others.
9. Although television may not be introduced into New Zealand for some
time, plans to cope with its effects on children should be made well in
advance of its introduction.
10. There should be a closer bond between school and home. The system of
visiting teachers should be expanded and as much liaison as possible
established between them and public health nurses.
11. The evidence that the propinquity of boys and girls at
co-educational schools contributed to sexual delinquency was not
convincing.
12. The value of insisting upon all children remaining at school till
they are 15 years of age should be further investigated. When the
underlying cause for an application for exemption is misconduct, the
exemption should only be granted subject to supervision by a Child
Welfare Officer.
13. Whenever a pupil under the care or supervision of the Child Welfare
Division is enrolled at a school the principal should be informed of any
matters pertaining to the pupil which are within the knowledge of that
Division. He should also be consulted as to any recommendation which it
is proposed to make to the Court in respect of any of his pupils.
14. The school is not the proper place for fully instructing children
about sex, although it may be a convenient place in which mothers and
daughters together, fathers and sons together, or parents together, may
listen to addresses or see appropriate films. This would help to break
down some of the barriers of self-consciousness.
15. In the new housing settlements the younger age groups predominate.
They are without the stabilizing influence of older people and
established institutions.
16. The work of all organizations which aim at building character is
warmly commended as they help to prevent children from becoming
delinquent; but facilities for recreation and entertainment will not
cure juvenile delinquency.
17. Liquor and gambling are symptomatic of some homes where there is
child neglect. The Committee deprecates the growing practice of parents
conniving at the consumption of liquor at young people's parties.
18. Tension in the household, separation of the parents, lack of
training for parenthood, the absence of a parental sense of
responsibility or poor discipline all help to create an unsatisfactory
home environment; the child of such a home often feels unwanted or
unloved. This unsatisfactory environment or feeling of being unloved is
productive of much delinquency.
19. Nearly one-third of the delinquent children whose cases were
considered came from homes where the mothers, possibly out of necessity,
went out to work. Fathers themselves are also to blame when they neglect
the opportunities available in the evenings or at the weekends to
interest themselves in the welfare of their children.
20. The high wages paid to adolescents on leaving school are an
important contributing factor especially when those youths have not been
trained in the virtues of thrift and self-reliance.
21. In many of the cases investigated by the police the children have
either been ignorant of the functions of sex or have too advanced a
knowledge of its physical aspects. When, how, and by whom the
information should be given is very important.
22. The present state of morals in the community has indicated the value
of a religious faith, and of family religion. Encouragement should be
given to the work of the New Zealand Council of Christian Education.
23. There has been a decline in certain aspects of family life because
of a failure to appreciate the worth of religious and moral sanctions.
24. During the past forty years new concepts have entered into society.
These concepts resulted from the unsettlement following two world wars.
The changes were the increased use of contraceptives, the broadening of
the divorce laws, an increase in pre-marital sexual relations, and the
spread of new psychological ideas.
25. The Committee is unanimously of the opinion that adolescents should
not buy or be in possession of contraceptives. There is, however, some
difference of opinion as to how this decision could be made effective.
26. The state of the law regarding indecent conduct on the part of boys
and girls operates very unfairly. Boys who admit this offence are
charged in the Children's Court under sections of the Crimes Act for
breach of which they are liable to terms of imprisonment of five to
seven years. Their names and particulars of the offence are recorded in
the _Police Gazette_. The girls (some of whom may have incited the boys
to offend) cannot be charged; if they are brought before the Court at
all, it is only when their parents are summoned for having delinquent
children and their names are not gazetted.
27. The Child Welfare Act should be broadened to provide for the doing
of preventive work. At present it provides only for the correction of
children who have committed offences or who are delinquents. There are
also grave weaknesses in this statute and in the whole procedure for
dealing with offending and delinquent children.
_XVIII. Recommendations_
=(1) Proposals for Legislation=
(_a_) The definition of "obscene" and "indecent" in the statute law
relating to printed and published matter should be enlarged so as to
cover all productions which are harmful in that they place undue
emphasis on sex, crime, or horror.
(_b_) All distributors of books, magazines, and periodical (other than
newspapers and educational or scientific publications) should be
required to register their names and the names of their various
publications. If they offend against the proposed law regarding
objectionable publications, their licences to produce or distribute
should be cancelled.
(_c_) A new offence should be created whereunder boys and girls who are
guilty of indecent conduct with one another should both be liable to be
charged as delinquents in the Children's Court and the practice of
recording the names of boys in the _Police Gazette_ as having been
summarily dealt with should cease.
(_d_) In all cases where children are summoned to Court their parents
(if available) should be required to attend with them.
(_e_) The Court should have the power to require the parent or guardian
of an offending or delinquent child to pay the fine or costs and to give
security for the future good behaviour of the child unless the Court is
satisfied that the conduct of the parent or guardian has not conduced to
the child's wrong doing.
(_f_) The Court should also be given power to direct that the children's
benefit or family benefit payable to any parent or guardian by the
Social Security Commission be suspended until he gives the security
required by the Court or for such further or other period as the Court
may order. The material interests of the child should be preserved by
enabling the Court to suspend the operation of the order, or to cancel
it upon being satisfied that the parent or guardian has given the
required security to exercise due care and control.
(_g_) Effect should be given to the recommendations regarding enrolment
or expulsion of children as set out in Section XVI (5) (_d_) and (_e_)
of this report.
(_h_) The Child Welfare Act should be completely recast in such a way as
to remove the weaknesses indicated in this report and to suit modern
needs. "Child welfare" should be given an autonomous status under the
Minister of Social Welfare.
=(2) Proposals for Administrative Action=
The following outlines of administrative action are not dependent upon
the amending of any Acts of Parliament such as were recommended above:
_(a) Police Department_
The training and duties of policewomen should be considered with a view
to deciding the best method of dealing with girls involved in sexual
offences.
_(b) Department of Internal Affairs (Films)_
To facilitate the practical working of film censorship steps should be
taken to gazette the outstanding regulations empowered under the
relevant Acts of 1934 and 1953.
_(c) Broadcasting Service_
It is suggested:
(i) That the service ensure that the concept "Crime must never
pay" is more prominently featured in crime serials.
(ii) That a married woman be immediately appointed to the
auditioning panel.
_(d) Censoring Authorities_
Any Departments concerned with censorship should maintain a liaison to
produce as far as possible a uniform interpretation of public opinion
and taste.
_(e) Department of Education_
(i) The Department of Education should discuss with the Department of
Health the respective duties of public health nurses and visiting
teachers to prevent overlapping and to ensure the best possible
employment of these officers.
(ii) Following upon the conference outlined in the previous paragraph
the appointment of additional visiting teachers should be accorded
priority.
(iii) The Department should consider what type of officer is best suited
to help with problem pupils in post-primary schools.
(iv) The Department should request that residences be set aside for some
teachers in housing settlements.
(v) In areas where there is a lack of facilities for recreation and
entertainment the Department should consider the possibility of making
school grounds and buildings available to responsible organizations.
_(f) Research into Juvenile Delinquency_
A long-term project for the investigation of juvenile delinquency in all
aspects should be undertaken.
=(3) Parental Example=
New laws, new regulations, and the prospect of stricter administration
may help to allay the well-founded fears of many parents for the future
of their children. It would, however, be a pity if parents were thereby
led into any relaxation of their own efforts. Wise parenthood implies
firm control and continual interest in the doings of sons and daughters.
But what is most needed is that all people should, by right living and
by the regularity of their own conduct, afford the best example for the
conduct of the rising generation.
_XIX. Appreciation_
As a supplement to this report the Committee desires to place on record
its thanks to all those who have assisted it in discharging its
responsibilities.
The many organizations and witnesses who have expressed their views have
been most helpful, and the Committee is also obliged to all those who
have sent letters, books, and papers for consideration. The many press
clippings of editorials, news articles, and letters to editors have
enabled the Committee to obtain an understanding of public sentiment on
various matters.
The heads of Government Departments have answered every inquiry for
information which has been submitted to them.
The Public Service Commission has placed facilities at the disposal of
the Committee and has released stenographers and typists from their
ordinary duties to enable this report to be presented on the date fixed
by the Committee early in its deliberations.
In particular, the Committee expresses its great appreciation of the
manner in which Mr L.J. Greenberg has performed the secretarial duties.
He has dealt with correspondence, and has shown a splendid sense of
timing in arranging for the appearance of witnesses.
=APPENDIX A=
=Table of Sexual Offences for Which Proceedings Were Taken in New Zealand=
_1920 1925 1930 1935 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944_
Rape and
attempted rape 11 16 16 19 12 6 22 40 34
Carnally knowing
girls under 16 14 55 68 86 99 41 69 69 71
Attempts to carnally
know girls under 16 7 9 8 14 15 6 5 5 2
Indecent assault:
Females 63 98 107 122 153 113 171 105 134
Indecent assault:
Males 12 47 38 46 103 104 118 68 61
_1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953_
Rape and
attempted rape 27 14 32 14 24 31 29 35 19
Carnally knowing
girls under 16 59 73 66 61 82 90 81 106 109
Attempts to carnally
know girls under 16 17 18 14 13 7 27 23 36 33
Indecent assault:
Females 112 104 147 164 153 149 183 175 311
Indecent assault:
Males 119 89 109 110 86 82 91 122 183
=APPENDIX B=
=List of Witnesses, Submissions, and Order of Appearance=
One hundred and forty-five (145) witnesses appeared before the Committee
in Wellington, Christchurch, or Auckland, and 18 of these witnesses were
recalled on one or more occasion.
_(a) Witnesses_
Witnesses are grouped as follows:
_Government Officials_--
Departmental Heads: Broadcasting, Education, Police.
Other Officers: Customs, Film Censor, Police (4), Superintendent
of Child Welfare 10
_Educational Authorities_--
New Zealand Council of Christian Education
New Zealand Council of Education Research
New Zealand Educational Institute (2)
Professor of Social Science
Director of Physical Education
Tutor, Adult Education
Director, Catholic Education
Child Welfare Officers (5)
Chairman, Board of Governors
Principals (9)
Inspectors (4)
Visiting Teacher
Federation of Parent Teachers Association 29
_Welfare Organizations_--
Religious--
Christian Endeavour Union
Methodist
Presbyterian (2)
Roman Catholic (6)
Salvation Army (8) 18
Other--
Boy Scouts (2)
Crichton Cobbers Club (2)
Girls' Life Brigade
Hutt Valley Youth Survey
Nursery Play Centres (3)
Orphanages (3)
Sea Cadets (2)
Youth Hostels (2)
Y.M.C.A. (3)
Y.W.C.A. (4) 23
_Church Bodies_--
Inter-Church Council on Public Affairs (2)
Hutt Valley Ministers Fraternal (4)
Baptist
Church of England
Methodist
Presbyterian (6) 15
_Women's Organizations_
Anglican Mothers' Union (2)
Catholic Women's League
National Council of Women (2) 5
_Commercial Interests_--
Booksellers (3)
Chemists' Guild
Film Distributors and Exhibitors (7)
Milk Bars (3)
Newspaper Editor 15
_Professional Societies_--
Christchurch Psychological Society (4)
New Zealand Paediatric Society 5
_Civic Leaders_--
Mayor, Lower Hutt 1
_Sporting Bodies_--
Wellington Hockey Association 1
_Miscellaneous Groups_--
Communist Party of New Zealand
New Zealand Rationalists Association 2
_Private Individuals_ 21
Total 145
(_b_) SUBMISSIONS
Practically all the above witnesses, jointly or severally, provided
written submissions, and some provided more than one submission. In all
there were 83 written submissions from 77 witnesses or groups of
witnesses.
In addition, 120 submissions were received from individuals or
organizations that did not appear before the Committee. Many other
persons wrote to the Committee, and a large number supplied samples of
publications containing material considered harmful.
Submissions may be grouped as follows:
(1) Those supplied by the witnesses whose names are marked with an
asterisk (*) in the list showing the order of appearance.
(2) Those supplied by the 120 other individuals and organizations
listed below.
Anglican Provincial Youth Council (J.C. Cottrel, Secretary), Auckland.
Archibald, Jean K., Teacher's College, Ardmore.
Arnold, Miss E.S., Children's Editress, Nelson Evening Mail, Nelson.
Associated Booksellers of New Zealand (D.K. Carey, Secretary),
Wellington.
Associated Churches of Christ in New Zealand (Religious Education
Department), Christchurch.
Auckland Provincial Public Relations Office Inc. (George F. Gair),
Auckland.
Bell, Gordon C., 6 Kohia Terrace, Auckland.
Bennett, L., Lower Hutt.
Blamires, Rev. E.O., 13 Lighthouse Road, Napier.
Brewerton, N.V., Box 2192, Auckland.
Brough, Miss Aileen, 68A Wrigley Street, Tauranga.
Burns, J., 575 New North Road, Kingsland.
Caldwell, C.L., 9 Market Road, Auckland.
Cane, Mrs C.M., 35 Waldegrave Street, Palmerston North.
Carrington, Hon. C.J., P.O. Box 36, Tauranga.
Catholic Youth Movement (Father Curnow), Christchurch.
Child Welfare Officer (A.L. Rounthwaite), Whangarei.
Child Welfare Officer (P. Goodwin),
Chiropractic Health Institute Inc., Auckland.
Christian and Co., Ltd., Devonport Road, Tauranga.
Clark, T.J., 10 Church Road, Templeton, Christchurch.
Clift, F.H. (Hon. Secretary, Wellington Headmasters' Association),
Wellington.
Cosgriff, P.B., 69 Hinau Street, Riccarton, Christchurch.
Cousins, P.W., 4 Matai Road, Wellington.
de Lacy, T.J., Taihape.
Dewar, G.E., 65 Rhodes Street, Waimate.
Dobbie, Mary, 24 Patterson Street, Sandringham, Auckland.
Donovan-Lock, Mrs A., 103 Wrigley Street West, Tauranga.
Duffy, G., Hon. Secretary, Christchurch District Peace Council,
81 Gasson Street, Christchurch.
Duffy. J.A., 67 Wellesley Road, Napier.
Edgar, M.R., Kaukapakapa (North Waitemata Circuit of the Methodist
Church), Waitemata.
Eisey, C.A., 400 South Road, Dunedin.
Emmett, John D., Waikuku Beach, North Canterbury.
Faith, Mrs L.C., President, Catholic Women's League, "Fairview",
Te Horo.
Faram, Mrs T.C., 14 Portage Road East, Papatoetoe.
Fere, Dr M., 113 Seaview Road, New Brighton.
Feron, L.J. (and 32 other petitioners), No. 2 R.D., Governors Bay,
Christchurch.
Flint, E.W., West Coast Road, Oratia.
Fottrell, C.P., 18 Devon Street, Wellington.
Frost, Mrs A., "Truth" (N.Z.) Ltd., Wakefield Street, Wellington.
Graaf, Th. L.D., Beach Road, Otumoetai.
Greenwood, Rev. F., 37 Charlotte Avenue, Wellington.
Gilberd, D., No. 4 R.D., Whangarei.
Gilbert, Miss G.M., 23 Reading Street, Wellington.
Hall, Miss B., 1A Apuka Street, Wellington.
Hansen, Harold, Orini.
Harris, E.L., 4 Riddiford Street, Wellington.
van Harskamp, J., 22 Lombard Street, Greymouth.
Hastings Housewives Union (Alva Hogg, Hon. Secretary), Hastings.
Jamieson, Miss C., National Council of Women, Manawatu Branch,
70 Albert Street, Palmerston North.
Jebson, Mrs E.D., President, Methodist Ladies Guild, St. Paul's,
London Street, Hamilton.
Jessett, F.W., 5 London Terrace, Putaruru.
Joblin, A.E.R., Headmaster, Hokowhitu School, Palmerston North.
Jones, Ernest L., 1010 Taita Drive North, Lower Hutt.
Jones, P.H., 31 Jollie Street, Christchurch.
Kennedy, Mrs M., No. 4 R.D., Morrinsville.
Kidd, Mrs A.W., J.P., "Glenavon", Middlemarch.
Knight, Brian, Brian Knight Clinic Psch., 124 Symonds Street, Auckland.
Lovell, W.P., Taupiri.
Luekens, K.M., "Tuirangi", Auckland.
Mackie, Mrs H., 165 Grafton Road, Wellington.
Macky, Mrs V., 144 Mountain Road, Auckland.
Marsden, E.E., Box 150, Napier.
Martin, C.G., 39 Union Street, Foxton.
Martin, W.E., 7 Whitby Terrace (St. John Ambulance), Auckland.
Methodist Central Mission (Rev. W.E. Falkingham, Superintendent),
Christchurch.
Michie, L.A., 28 Tautari Street, Auckland.
McAven, J.S., 164 Long Drive, Auckland.
McBride, Frances, 18 Gladstone Road, Auckland.
McCaw, Mrs M., 11 Seddon Street, Timaru.
McCool, Mrs M.M.T., Raukawa Road, Ashhurst.
McDonald, A.P., Headmaster, Shannon School, Shannon.
Mclver, Mrs I., Westney Road (2), Mangere.
McLachlan, A.A., former Magistrate, 57 Brunswick Street, Lower Hutt.
McLean, O.G., 5 Thames Street, Hamilton.
McLevie, Rev. E.M., St. Barnabas' Vicarage, Wellington.
Neame, Mrs M.K., "Darwin", Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui.
Norris, Mrs E., 60 Melbourne Road, Wellington.
North Canterbury Methodist Women's Guild Fellowship, Christchurch.
North Shore Ladies' Representative Committee (Miss R.L. Muskett), Auckland.
New Zealand Canoeing Association (D.J. Mason, President), Auckland.
New Zealand Libraries Association (H.W.B. Bacon, President),
Wellington.
New Zealand National Party (Women's Division), Auckland.
New Zealand Bible Testimony, Box 555, Palmerston North.
Palmerston North Headmasters' Association (L.M. Morine), Palmerston North.
Poole, L.; 5 Curran Street, Auckland.
Potts, Nora Cramond, 23 Towai Street, Auckland.
Public Opinion and Gallup Polls (N.Z.) Ltd., Auckland.
Raeston, K., 68 Fitzherbert Street, Petone.
Rallison, W., Post Office, Frankton.
Reid, Mrs, "Reidhaven", Arrowtown.
Ridder, E.H.C., Christchurch.
Salmond, W.R., Acting Session Clerk, Tasman Presbyterian Church, Upper
Moutere.
Scherer, Sister L.A., 216 Great North Road, Auckland.
Seymour, Douglas, Box 79, Hamilton.
Senior, Gerard, Chaplain, R.N.Z.N., H.M.N.Z.S. _Black Prince_, Auckland.
Solway, R., 28 Opapa Street, Titahi Bay.
Taylor, Mrs G.E., 111 Upland Road, Wellington.
Taylor, Miss J., "Melody Cottage", 156 Barnard Street, Wellington.
Teasdel, W.J., 31 Waipapa Road, Wellington.
Thompson, R.J., 89 Owens Road, Epsom, Auckland.
Tole, J.G., 12 Seaview Road, Remuera, Auckland.
Trio Publications (C.R. Dunford), Christchurch.
Venoe, Miss J.C., Francis Street, Blenheim.
Wanganui Girls' College Board of Governors, Wanganui.
Waikato Justices of the Peace Association, Hamilton.
Ward, Rev. N., Miller Memorial Congregational Church. 9 May Avenue, Napier.
Warren, Rev. P.H., The Church of the Ascension, Auckland.
Wells, Miss E., 175 Long Drive, Auckland.
Wellington Diocesan Youth Council (Miss H. Sewell), Wellington.
Werren, Rev. J.S., South Auckland Methodist Church, Hamilton.
Western, Miss M., P.O. Box 382, Auckland.
White, A.W., Principal, Technical High School, Stratford.
Wilkes, T.G. (General Secretary, New Zealand National Party), Wellington.
Williment, F., Wellington.
Williams, G.T.P., 139 Eruera Street, Rotorua.
Women's Christian Temperance Union (Mrs H.N. Toomer, Dominion President),
Wellington.
Y.M.C.A. New Building Campaign Committee (Mr J.C. Bonham), Auckland.
Youne, Mrs R.A., 4 Hackthorne Road, Christchurch.
(_c_) ORDER OF APPEARANCE OF WITNESSES
*Mr E.H. Compton, Commissioner of Police.
*Mr G.E. Peek, Superintendent of Child Welfare Division.
Mr F.T. Castle, President, Wellington Chemists' Guild.
*Senior Sergeant F.W. LeFort, Officer in Charge, Petone Police Station.
*Mr G.W. Parkyn, Director, New Zealand Council for Educational
Research.
*Mr D.K.D. McGhie, Social Science Bursar, Chairman, Hutt Valley
Youth Survey.
Mr E.W. Mills, Principal, Hutt Valley Memorial Technical College.
Dr C.E. Beeby, Director of Education.
*Mr E.S. Gale, Assistant Comptroller of Customs.
*Mr B.C. Penney, President, New Zealand Educational Institute.
Mr G.R. Ashbridge, Secretary, New Zealand Educational Institute.
*Mr J. Ferguson, District Child Welfare Officer, Wellington.
*Mr G. Mirams, Film Censor, Wellington.
Mr G. Briggs, National Secretary New Zealand Y.M.C.A.
Mr A.L. Lummis, Elbes Milk Bar, Lower Hutt.