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New Zealand Listener, Volume 19, Issue 485, 8 October 1948, Page 5

Sir-D.M.M.’s article has brought, I hope, before a Jarge public, the urgent question of necessary changes in social work with children, That some institutions, I hope many, are being run with enlightened ideas, does not alter the fact that many are not. I have experi- © ence and know how ignorant the pub- ~ :

lic, and even the boards controlling Homes, can be of the real conditions. Too. prevalent is theidea: that children are lucky to have fged and shel-ter-such a small part’ ofthe needs of a child who through the breakdown of its normal family life, has had some major emotional upset. But where is the trained staff to deal with. such casualties? Surely this is the first step to be considered by those running the institutions in this country, Many are run by the Churches. Would a Church open a hospital, and then ‘staff it, with any untrained personnel that be obtained? Yet we are deeling ‘with ‘the souls and often sorely-stricken minds of the children in our Homes. If each Church were to open a training cottage, with a few children in residence, as "a training centre’ for staff for their Homes throughout the country, I am quite sure sufficient girls of vocation would be forthcoming. It says little for the effect of the Church's teaching if not. : Homes at their best should be regarded as Receiving Stations. Are there not sufficient Christian’ péople in’ our Churches, and in the community as a whole, to undertake the nominal adoption of a child for his childhood years? If it is not possible to take entire charge, surely every child in a Home should have some home in the community where he is always welcome and where he can turn for help and friendship. In other words, children’ should not be brought up in institutions, but kept there awaiting some better solution.

"UP AND AT 'EM"

(Dunedin).