SOCIAL WORKERS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 256, 28 July 1942, Page 2

SOCIAL WORKERS

Their Part In English Communal Life Members of the Women's Social Progress Movement, Wellington, were given a first-hand account of social work in England and the qualifications needed for its successful application, when Mrs.j Anthony Hare, who has studied English communal conditions, addressed them at a sot i afternoon held yesterday in the University Women’s Club rooms. The speaker described what she termed constructive social work, which was preventive rather than remedial. There was a great future in any countiy for advancement in the sphere of human relations, for even when the State hud done its best there still remained a gap between it and the individual. Mrs. Hare discussed at length the initial obstacles presented when British town and county councils built extensive housing centres to cope with a population problem which threatened to outstrip accommodation. These centres were very often situated in outlying districts, comprised thousands of houses, and offered no ccmmunal outlet. The speaker showed how this was surmounted by the establishment of community settlements. Its members obtained premises and made a canvass of the district to ascertain the number of people interested in gardens, dramatics, debasing and musie, then formed committees and welded community interests together. Usually these community settlements began oti a small scale, then expanded, end withdrew when their aim had been accomplished. .4ome started more ambitiously, built meeting balls and play centres for ch’idien, and held a wide variety of lectures and classes, attention also being given to problems of housing and rent. One firm in York had developed a set o’ psychology tests to make certain that applicants would be suited to their work, and a fellow-worker was assigned to guide newcomers through early problems. Industrial welfare workers were compulsory in some factories, and it was their responsibility to see that conditions were such that efficiency was speeded up for the employer, and comfort increased for 'he employee. Miss E. Watson presided at the meeting and devotions were taken by Miss Howden. A musical programme arranged by Mrs. James Bennie included items by Mrs. V. A. Fauvel and Miss M. Hutchings.