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34
In previous reports I have drawn attention to the absurdities
of the existing Infant Life Protection Act, which provides
for the control of homes where two or more infants under five
years of age are received for the purpose of nursing or maintaining
of such infants apart from their parents for a period of
more than forty-eight hours. Notice has to be given to the
Local Authority; in London, to the London County Council.
In effect this Act is useless in protecting children who are taken
by persons cute enough to avoid registration and inspection by
only accepting one child at a time, and there are many children
so placed. It was also pointed out to you that the administration
of the Act in London was with the London County Council, who
for some unknown reason had relegated the administration of
the Act to the Public Control Department. Your Council made
representation to the Local Government Board of the necessity
of an amending Act to bring within its scope persons receiving
only one child, and further the importance of the administration
of the Act being transferred to the Local Borough Councils.
A Bill has been introduced by Mr. Staveley Hill, which
provides all that was asked for, except the transference of its
administration to Borough Councils.
Educational Measures.—When motherhood is established
and women have obtained set ideas gained from their parents
who, too often are not fitted to instruct their daughters of the
duties of motherhood, it is late to improve conditions. Our
attempts to educate parents are frequently disappointing. It is
only after disappointment and failure in the management such
mothers are prepared to listen, and I am of opinion education in
matters of personal hygiene, the value of food, the nutrition of
the body, and the normal growth and healthy living of the
individual should form an important part of the general education
in our schools.