Dept will help on adoption

Press, 29 June 1983, Page 4

Dept will help on adoption

Christchurch people asking for information from the Social Welfare Department about adopted children may still get answers, but it will take time. The department’s assistant director in Christchurch, Mr M. G. Miller, said yesterday staff would get in touch with those making inquiries when they were able to attend to their request. It depended on how much detailed work was involved or whether the department had the available staff. The Christchurch office stopped issuing non-identify-ing information on adopted children about two weeks ago, because it did not have the staff available to meet the growing demand for that “reduced priority.” The move has worried the Christchurch Adoption Support Group, which says that such information is usually the first step for those trying to trace their adopted-out child or natural parents.