(d) Children Under Control or Supervision

It is interesting to find that after the war there was a steady decline in the number of children committed to the care of the State, or placed under supervision, until the year 1953.  This is shown by the following table: 

Year Ended | Under Control or
31 March  | Supervision
|
1934              | 7,259
1936              | 7,272
1938              | 7,403
1940              | 8,043
1942              | 8,221
1944              | 8,531
1946              | 8,048
1948              | 7,267
1950              | 6,525
1952              | 6,088
1953              | 6,177
1954              | 6,283

There would have to be reservations in any inferences drawn from these figures.  For instance, the decrease may have been due to extra preventive work done by welfare officers.  The earlier reduction or the later increase in the number of children placed under care or supervision may have been affected by the varying recommendations of Child Welfare Officers or the decisions of Magistrates.  Finally, is the slight increase from 1952 to 1954 something to cause concern?

(e) Comparison Between New Zealand and England

Almost coincidentally with the publication abroad of reports of immorality in the Hutt district and of juvenile murders in New Zealand, an extract from a brochure of the Justice Department was published.  This extract was to the effect that, in relation to population, there were one and a half times as many adults convicted of sexual offences in this Dominion as there were in England and Wales.  That statement results from a comparison of the figures in the two jurisdictions, but it may create a wrong impression unless it is remembered that in England only 47 per cent of the indictable offences reported to the police are “cleared up”, whereas in New Zealand 64 per cent of indictable offences are “cleared up”.  A comparison which takes this and all other relevant factors into account could probably place this Dominion in a much more favourable light.

Whatever inferences may be drawn from the statistics presented in this report—­whether juvenile immorality has increased or not—­any nation is wise that, from time to lime, surveys its moral health.

V.  A Change of Pattern In Sexual Misbehaviour

When this inquiry was mooted all members of the Committee heard the oft-repeated comment that sexual delinquency was not new—­it had been going on through the ages and always would go on.  Many people also said “You cannot make people moral by Act of Parliament”.

Although there is some truth in each of these statements the Committee does not feel that the matter should be dismissed in that way.  First, such an attitude is not a desirable one to adopt when seeking a remedy for a social evil.  Secondly, the continued existence of a vice, however far back it may be traced, is not a reason why special measures should not be used to deal with it when it assumes considerable proportions.