LEGISLATIOX FOK IXDUSTlilAL CLASSES. oiT 



Another vieAv i.s obtained by taking the numbers of the laws 

 passed, respectively, prior to and since the date of the federating of 

 the States. Up to the end of 1900 there had. been forty-five laws, or 

 41 per cent, of the total industrial laws, and since that date sixty-four 

 have been enacted, equivalent to 59 per cent. No doubt there are two 

 reasons for the acceleration in the treatment of these subjects since 

 the anti-federation period — viz., the growing interest and popularity 

 as to measures of amelioration of the working classes, and the large 

 additional opportimity for attending to subjects of social reform which 

 has been afforded by the translation of many affairs of government to 

 the Federal authorities. 



Reforms Effected hy the New Laws. — The following resume 

 indicates tlie scope of the reforms effected uy the new laws : — 



I. — Infancy: Much care has been bestowed on the protection and 

 ntuture of infants, in xdew of the evils which previously existed in 

 connection with baby-farming, and considerable aid is rendered in 

 cases where, through neglect, the children of worthless parents would 

 otherwise swell the mortality list. By the agency of these Aci:s, 

 illegitimate children receive close attention, and the death list in this 

 class, although still veiy high in comparison witli that of the legiti- 

 mate, has been reduced during recent years. 



Means are provided for coping with juvenile offenders, and thus 

 nipping in the bud that which would otherwise blossom into vice and 

 crime. One of the most merciful measures is to be noted in the 

 " Legitimation Act,"' which renders it easy to avoid the terrible effects 

 in a child's life which result from the stigma of illegitimacy. 



II. — Youth: As to the period between infancy and manhood, 

 wlien character is in the formative stage, although there are only five 

 laws, yet the provisions affirmed by them are far-reaching, and of great 

 value. Thus, the care and supervision of apprentices, and wise condi- 

 tions attaching to that part of a man's career, are fully secured. 



Women who unfortunately have wedded worthless husbands, also 

 widows, receive subventions in aid from the State, and on the other 

 hand, the mother of an illegitimate child is surrounded with restric- 

 tions to safeguard the child's life. 



The later stages of this part of life are also cared for by means 

 of reformatories and industrial schools. 



Summed up, it may safely be asserted that the citizen is tended 

 carefully up to adult age, and that as a result there have been deter- 

 rent foi-ces at work in om- midst for some years past, which have 

 diminished crime, and laid tlie fomidations of useful citizenship in 

 numerous instances. 



III._Manhood, from Stated Specific View Points: The mere 

 recapitulation of tlie titles of the vanous Acts would be sufficient to 

 indicate tlie vast advancement aft'orded in this context. 



From the agricultural aspect, we see that in the endeavour 

 to secure a sturdy yeomaniy on our lands, the State has proffered 

 means of financial aid, Avhich come within the reach of most of our 

 citizens .; and it could not be extended much further unless the ultimate 

 step be taken of advancing money without security. 



