Permanent social worker is sought

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 54, 9 July 1974, Page 3

Permanent social worker is sought

| Turangi wants » a full- | time social welfare worker = appointed to the town — 1 and an upgrading of the | facilities already available. = A petition to this effect | has been sent by the 1 Tuirangi Chamber of | Commerce to the Minister | /of Social Welfare, Mr | King. §/ At present, benefits and 1 pensions officers visit | Turangi for half a day each | Monday, and social welfare | workers for one day a = week. | The Social Welfare | Department's premises in | the town are on loan, and | shared with the Justice 1 Department and the Maori i and Island Affairs Depart- = ment. They consist of two dingy i rooms, sparsely furnished. Attention was drawn to i the matter in March this § year, and Mr King replied \ then: "At this stage, the prior- = ities for the extension of = departmental services to = other areas with greater | populations are such that I I could not indicate what | permanent social welfare = facilities might be estab- | lished in Turangi. I "However, you can be | assured that the needs of | Turangi and Tokaanu will | be kept in mind and that | increased service from the | department's Taumarunui = office will be provided as | required, till such time as a | permanent office is even- | tually established." In their petition, Chami ber of Commerce members r say- _

"Although we know that Turangi is not unique in having a problem of youthful delinquency, we are in a special position regarding the good name and future of the town." With the completion of the Tongariro power development scheme, Turangi's population could drop, they said. But a promotion . association had been formed already to attract industry and business to the area. 1 "Obviously, the good name and good repute of Turangi, will have great impact on the decisions of older people who, we hope, will retire here and take advantage of moderately priced houses and sections," the petition said, "At present, the town is serviced by a visiting social worker from Taumarunui one half day a week. The offices are of poor standard and the accommodation is cramped. The waiting room is of an appallingly low standard. "There is little comfort or privacy, with people waiting outside in the passage with no seating or literature. ^ "Next^.door there is: ar. vacant office, -Vain' «nd roomy, and the reffting of this accommodation could be a first step to upgrade a deplorable state of affairs." The chamber said support for the appointment of a social worker had come from the police, the probation officer, Maori wardens, church leaders, school teachers and other citizens.