The Ontario Scrapbook Hansard

Ontario Scrapbook Hansard, 12 Mar 1935, p. 2

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This was the firm declaration yes-- terday of Premier Mitchell F. Hepburn when the measure, calling for a per-- manent guardianship for the Dionne quintuplets, came up for second read-- ing in the Ontario Legislature. Premier Declares Intention of Breaking "Those Contracts" HEIR only thought is T to make money, and our only concern is that those five babies shall be reared as _ normal, healthy girls. This bill is going through, and we're going to break those con-- tracts." Safeguard Children,. "One of those promoters," the Pre-- mier declared "was in my office and showed me a contract whereby he would receive 40 per cent. of the entire procesds from exhibition of the babies The Minister of Public We'-- fare is right when he says that those babies will not be sandwiched in be-- tween a sword--swallower and a bearded lady in some Chicago show." Price Critical »£ Bill. Concerning the "contracts" the Pre-- niier had reference to attempts to have the babies taken out of the coun-- try for exhibiticn purposes. *"We must consider this bill very carefully for it is a most drastic npiece of legislation," declared Mr. Price. "I am not sure that this is the proper bill, it may be too drastic." There appears to be doubt as to the advisibility of the bill in its pres-- ent form by some members of the Op-- position and this feling expression yesterday through Colosne!l W. H. Price (Conservative, Parkdal:.) The bill was given its second read-- ing after its sponsor. Hon. David Croll, Minister of Public Welfare, explained its contents and declared that the measure was absolutely devoid o "political flavor." He complimentesd the previous Government for early aid to the quintuplets, and the present Attorney--General for his action which Dionne Bill Being Aimed At Chisellers J (Sce also Page Three. Premier Hepburn expressed the view that, had not Attorney--General Roe-- buck stepped in to protect the chil-- dren," they would have been dead today. That is the belief of Dr. "I thought at the time," the former Attorrey--General declared, "that this was bordering on the indecent. How-- ever, the bill was killed. I was called '"'The Escheater,' and the race was on and is still on. As a matter of fact, at that time I urged that the money ($500,000) be turned over to the Uni-- versity of Toronto." He explained it was his idea to invest the money and provide educational grants. In the opinion of Colonel Price it would require "tremendous justifica-- tion" to take the babies out of the control of their parents for eighteen years. He referred to the days when he introduced the Millar bill, and he was charged with an attempt to escheat this estate. The money, ac-- cording to the Millar bill, will go to the Toronto mother giving birth to the most children in a ten--year period. '""No." replied Mr. Croil. "We regard what the Province has done as a whole--hearted contribution from all the people of the Province." The bill, Mr. Croll stated, makes provision for ample allowance for the parents and the five other children from a financial standpoint. Ques=-- tioned by the Hon. Leopold Macaulay, Mr. Croll declined to reveal the amount now held in trust for the chiidren. In conclusion the Minister said: '"We are trying to treat the children as human beings and not as freaks. We want them to be home under the care of their mother and fathor, rather than exhibited between a sword--swallower and a bearded woman on a Chicago midway." "HMHas any provision been made to reimburse the Province from earn-- ings of the quintuplets?" asked Wil-- liam Duckworth (Conservative, High Park). "We have all adopted those chil-- dren," the Minister went on "The sole purpose of the bill is to stop ex«-- ploitation: to stop the quick talkers and chisellers from their attempts to gain control of the children. They are unusual children and we should do everything possible,. so that they will lead normal lives, in their own home, with their own familv." * "I am sure." he said, "that the par-- ents did not make the statements they are quoted as having made. It is some one up there behind the scenes. When the bill was being drafted it was suggested that Mrs. Dionne be named as a guardian, but the lawyer pointed out it might involve journeys which Mrs. Dionne might not be pre»= pared to take and it was thought that naming the father would be suf-- ficient." resulted in the appointment of guard-- lans and prohibiting exploitation of the infants. The Minister referred to press re-- ports in which the parents, particular-- ly the mother, are reported to have complained that the bill will split the family. Mavek 12

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