Clergyman: my bid ignored

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 56, 16 July 1974, Page 1

Clergyman: my bid ignored

The Government has repeatedly ignored applications to establish a . permanent social Welfare agency in Taupo, says Canon R. V. Matthews, chairman of the Social Welfare Committee. His comment follows disclosures las.t week that a 14-year-old deaf, epileptic

boy had been looking after 18 children while his mother had allegedly gone to a tangi and not returned home. Canon Matthews said he had written to the Department of Social Welfare asking it to consider establishing a full-time agency in Taupo. "We have been ignored," he said. The Government social welfare agency in Taupo is manned only two days a week. "Our committee doesn't do social work," said Canon Matthews.

"It is a group which comes together voluntarily and we represent various social welfare agencies in town. "We only consult and advise on various matters." It is expected that a citizens' advice bureau will be established by midAugust to advise on finance and housing. The Mayor, Mr C. S. Currie, has consistently criticised the Government for ignoring Taupo's needs. "While the Social Welfare Department, and to a lesser extent Maori Affairs, are controlled in Taupo by remote control from Rotorua instances such as this family are not liable to come to our notice," he said yesterday.