"THESE LITTLE ONES."

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 250, 21 October 1924, Page 13

"THESE LITTLE ONES."

THE DUTY OF THE CHURCH. I ■ ' | Alf-XICAX SOCJ.AI. WORK. i ' MORE SUPPORT URGED. | Because the Church of England did not employ brass bands, nor hold collecting boxes under people's noses, she got very little recognition for her tremendous social work, said Rev. O. C. 1 Cruickahank at the Diocesan Synod yesterday. This remark was passed in moving a motion concerning unclaimed • children at St. Mary's Homes, for whoje care there was no provision made in that, or any other diocesan, institution, ■ and for whose care the Government had [ made no provision. It was urged that a committee be set up to consider the question of the care and nurture of those children, and to report to the next session of the Synod. The proposed personnel of the committee was Sister Hannah (Community of the Good Shepherd), Miss Girdler (superintendent St. Mary's Homes), Miss Sarah Jackeon, Rev. P. S. Smallfield, Rev. G. C. Cruiekghank, and Mr. C. F. Bennett. The motion was carried unanimously. It was hoped to get more general sympathy in the future, continued Rev. Mr. Cruickahank. How many people realised that St. Mary's Homes had been doing all the Karitane Home work in Auckland up till the present? Still more of this work would have to be done in the future, mainly among the poor classes. It was a sad fact. that tlie Government made no provision for children who were mentally deficient, nor was there anyone who would care for them. Hitherto the Government had made fairly substantial grants, but the sum dwindled to £200 last year, and this year not one penny appeared on the Estimates. There were certain mentally deficient children between the ages of three and six years whom the Church had to maintain, and, as a consequence, the institution was becoming overcrowded. An Unchristian Attitude. Of course, there were some "Christian" people who tried to make a stumbling' block of the work at St. ■ Mary's Horaes, continued Mr. Cruickshank. These people raised the cry that the Church condoned vice because she carried on a work of succour among unmarried mothers. They thought nothing should be done for those unfortunate women who had fallen, nor for their children. That was a most' un-Christlike attitude. Since the Government refused assistance, then the Church had to undertake the work in the name of Jesus Christ. (Hear, hear). TII3 Salvation Army had attempted the work in some way or other, but the Government had made no step, and the care of the -abandoned illegitimate child devolved upon the Church, said Mr. C. F. Bennett. HOw many people of the right type were prepared to take an illegitimate child into their homes? The clergy should never lose an opportunity 5 of stressing the importance of the work at St. Mary's Homes. People did not realise the wonderful Christiarj work being carried on. The establishment and maintenance of St. Mary's Homes meant that certain children were being givep a fair chance in life when, otherwise, nobody would be responsible for them. The history of the homes revealed the fact-" that ;ebmo* callous mothers had deserted their children, said Rev. P. S. Smallfield. Consequently, despite the rule that children should leave at tlie age of two years, there were certain children who remained in the homes for a number of years. There was no alternative, for the Church, could not "pass by on the other side." Rev. S. Gordon Bell deplored the fact that it was the policy of the Government to encourage the boarding;-oufc scheme to the exclusion of homes. It behoved the Church to keep a watchful eye on the trend of affairs. He protested afresh against the un-Ghristian attitude of those who opposed the work. Their attitude was so absolutely scandalous and unchristian as to be beyond words disgraceful. Upfair criticism had always Teen a feature of the work, said Archdeacon Cowie. In the early days it rose to » fury. "More advertising" was* ReV. Jasper Calderte advice.. There was not so much critieisin as apathy. j By energy and-'enthusiaisni the clergy I could make the social work, of the Church of England better known, said Rev. A. J. Beck. In thanking Mr. Cruipkshaok_ for bringing the matter before Synod, Sjshop Averill said he hoped the committee would recommend that an existing home be used rather than a new one. It was decided, on the motion of Archdeacon Hawkins, that it be a reeomimendation to the Social Service Board to prepare a set of slides, with a lecjture. to illustrate the institutional work Of the Church throughout New Zealand.