It may be that in a few cases, injustice may be done and men wrongly punished, but this may be urged against every law. And can this possibility outweigh the hundreds of cases of girls who, every year in this colony, meet with physical and moral disaster, which a juster state of law might have prevented? Have we no pity for these children, who on the threshold of what might have been a bright and prosperous life, meet with woeful shipwreck, and instead of becoming the happy wives and mothers of the future, join the unspeakably sad ranks of the prostitute?
Men who have any chivalrous feeling in their nature will gladly accept whatever increased risk there may be, in order that this further protection, till an age when knowledge and prudence are greater, may be given, and immoral men will have to learn that, if they do not wish to incur this danger, they must not place themselves in positions in which they will be liable to false charges.
What then must be done? It must first be recognised that unless the public voice unmistakably demands this reform those who can give effect to it will not move in the matter. This was shown in England, where for some years the proposal to raise the age of consent was contemptuously rejected by the House of Commons, until Mr. Stead’s memorable articles in the Pall Mall Gazette raised public feeling to white heat, and the desired legislation was rushed through with almost no opposition in a few days. In the United States, too, during the last eighteen months a well-organised agitation, in which the Women’s Christian Temperance Union has taken a leading part, has succeeded in obtaining the age of eighteen in eight States, and the agitation is still being continued to raise it to this in other States where the age is lower.
The W.T.C.U. of New South Wales has determined to follow the example of the American unions, and undertake this momentous work on behalf of its sex. If it can succeed in enlisting the sympathy and co-operation of the Churches and philanthropic societies, and all work together cordially for this great object, public opinion will soon be roused, and from one end of the colony to the other will come the demand that this scandalous state of affairs be instantly remedied. If this be so, the government will hasten to carry out the wishes of the people, and we will take rank with those who cherish and defend at all costs the honour of their daughters. All can help in this work. There are petitions to be signed, public meetings organised, members of Parliament to be interviewed, and many other means by which success may be ensured.
It is to be hoped that none will hold back from assisting on account of prudery, or false delicacy. The purest can and should aid in this crusade, and if they decline to do so from any selfish motive, and this reform is not carried, the blood of those who perished because this has not been done will be upon their heads. But we believe better things of the men and women of New South Wales, and are convinced that, with the help of God, 1896 will not pass till this most needed of all laws has been placed on our Statute Book.
After reading, kindly give this to a friend, and sign, if possible, a petition in favour of this object.
“Christian World” Press, 301 Pitt-st., Sydney.