Children are not in a position to protect themselves against adults, nor are they able on their own account to initiate proceedings against anyone who has misused them. This difficulty is especially great when the offender is one upon whom the child is legally dependent. _Suggested Reforms._--Recently the necessity has been recognised that many offences against children should be punished much more severely than they now are, and that many acts not otherwise punishable should be made punishable if committed against a child. (_a_) It is suggested that a new criminal offence should be defined in the following terms:--“A parent, 1, who, although possessed of the requisite means, fails, wilfully or neglectfully, to provide for the child’s proper maintenance; 2, who, in consequence of a disorderly life, is rendered unable to provide for the proper support of his child; 3, who neglects his child--shall be punished in the following manner.... A guardian or a foster-parent shall have the same liabilities to punishment under this clause as the real parents of a child.” (_b_) It is suggested that, in the case of offences against the laws regulating child-labour, the criminal legal authorities, and not the local authorities, should have the right of intervention, that in the case of the graver breaches of these laws, the offence should be regarded, not as a petty offence, but as a misdemeanour, or as a crime, and that, for this reason, the description of these offences should be incorporated in the criminal code. (_c_) It is suggested that the employment of children in mendicancy, vagabondage, &c., which is at present treated as a petty offence merely, should be constituted a misdemeanour. (_d_) It is proposed to make it a punishable offence to supply, or cause to be supplied, in a public place, to any juvenile, alcoholic drinks whereby that juvenile becomes intoxicated. (_e_) As regards the sale of tobacco, similar legal provisions are considered desirable. (_f_) It is suggested that parents should be severely punished, when in the case of one of their children being ill they fail to summon medical advice, or when they send the child to school suffering from one of the acute infectious disorders, or from a house in which any such disorder prevails.