A TRUANCY QUESTION

PARENT SENT TO JAIL

MAN TO BE RELEASED

AMENDING THE ACT

Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Thursday 11 February 1909, page 4

"If he has not already been actually released, he is to be set at liberty," replied the Minister for Education this morning, when he was asked If he had taken any action regarding the old resident of Creswlck who had been sent to gaol in default of paying a fine imposed on him because his children were not sent to school.

The excuse offered by the man was that his children had not boots or sufficient clothes and that he was unable to buy either on account of unemployment. Mr Billson (Minister for Education) went on to say that the Education Act would have to be amended to make special provision for the children of such parents. It was the duty of the Education Department, he remarked, to see that the law compelling children to attend school was obeyed, and if children were not sent to school for the reasons assigned by this resident of Creswlck, then, as was done In Western Australia, they would have to be taken away from the parents by the State, and educated as neglected children. A child had rights as well as a grown-up person, and should get a chance to be educated.