I move for leave to introduce a Bill entitled "An Act to amend sub-section (1) of Section 58 of the Children Act, 1908." I am supported by Senators Bennett, Brown, O'Farrell, Hooper, and MacLoughlin. I do not wish to go into the merits of the Bill at this stage of the proceedings, but will reserve my remarks until the Second Reading.
PUBLIC BUSINESS. - CHILDREN BILL, 1928—FIRST STAGE.
I second the motion.
I desire to draw the attention of the House to this proposition of piece-meal legislation. The Report of the Poor Law Commission is in the hands of the Executive Council, and this Bill deals with one of the recommendations in that Report. I think it would be highly undesirable that paragraphs should be taken out of that very voluminous Report and legislation sought to be enacted upon them. I think the Report as a whole should be considered by the Executive Council with a view to legislation. The present is not the time for the Senator to lay down his points with regard to admissions to industrial schools. I think that people who have thought out the question are entirely against the present system of admission, which means that a child has to be a criminal in order to get into one of these schools. I do not think that anybody who has studied this question and who has been dealing with State children for any time could think otherwise, but I do think that legislation of this kind at the present moment is not desirable.
CATHAOIRLEACH
I find that I have been forgetting my Standing Orders——
Yes, I should not speak on the First Reading. I know that, sir.
That being so, I suppose you will not hear me in reply?
CATHAOIRLEACH
You will have the fullest opportunity on the Second Reading.
Ordered: That the Bill be printed and circulated.