SOCIAL SERVICE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 July 1921, Page 1

SOCIAL SERVICE

'[Vo interesting additions to “The Social Sendee Library” are “The Mother and the Infant,” by Miss Edith V. Eekhard, and “The Boy in Industry and Leisure,” hv the Rev. R. R- Hyde. Miss Eekhard defines the aims of the child welfare movement, and describes the attempts which are being made to achieve these aims. The movement had its origin some years ago on th o continent "'of Europe, where, in certain countries, tho declining birth-rate was reonrded ns a source of future danger to"tbe State. Two remedies suggested themselves, one being by means of endowments to encourage the citizen to have a larger family, the other to decrease the existing mortality rate a mono small children. The former expedient was for various reasons unsatisfactory: the latter had the advantage that not only would it sensibly increase the adult population, but it. would also, from tho nature of the ease, improve the national stock because the measures taken to prevent infant mortality would also benefit the moral and physique of children in general. This principle has been adopted, in som o form or other, in most countries and what was primarily a utilitarian movement has been reinforced by th 0 humanitarian impulse. Tlie modern tendency j« to o-o both further back and further forward in the life of the child in promoting its welfare. The expectant mother is given advice and practical help, while the solicitude of those engaged in this service does not cease when the urchin lias graduated from tho creche. H supplies him with day nurseries and “home minders,” and keeps an eye on his mental and bodily development. Miss Eekhard gives an interesting account of the work which is being accomplished by State, municipal, ami voluntary organisations in Britain and elsewhere. It may be argued that while this is all very well in its way, is not. there some risk that it is being overdone. Interference in family life, however well intentioned, may be carried too far. The answer is that the object of the movement is not to relieve parents of their proper responsibilities, hut to aid those who, from ignoranee or poverty are unable adequately to fulfil those responsibilities. In the absence of such a source of instruction and assistance many more children would he horn into the world and reared in circumstances which allowed them no chance of growing up healthy and useful members of society, and the increasing part which women are playing in modern industry gives the child welfare movement even greater opportunities o

service. Long experience in dealing with adolescent hoys, chiefly of the working class, has enabled Mr Hyde to speak with peculiar authority about thenneeds and problems. Often a lad leaves school with an elementary education and no trade; at any one of a score of oo-

, upations requiring no technical training he can earn a wage that seems attractive enough at the time. Yet soon•r or later he finds himself high and dry. He can advance no further, but is condemned to remain in the ranks of the- unskilled. The question is, how to bridge the gap between the primary school and some more satisfactory career, how to keep alive the spirit of inquiry and interest that will encourage the lad to go on. Mr Hyde has found tha the average lad is remarkably receptive and responsive if taken the right wav. He is a fountain of energy which only waits to be turned into useful channels, and Mr Hyde’s description of tho various agencies by which his society has sought to prevent the waste of this splendid human material is interesting and suggestive.