"UNNECESSARY."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 115, 18 May 1933, Page 8

"UNNECESSARY."

CITY SOUP KITCHENS. SOCIAL WORKER EMPHATIC. NEED OF CO-ORDINATION. A declaration that soup kitchens in Auckland are unnecessary, and that any person or body of workers entering the social sewice field should be sponsored by some recognised official organisation, "was made this morning by the Rev. G. E. Moreton, president or the Auckland Social "Workers' Association. "This," ho said, "would give confidence to the public who often withhold help becauso they are not certain of the bona fides of those collecting. The rccognised organisations are having a difficult; time in tlieir attempts to balance their budgets, and new entrants into the field, if unsponsored, not only create overlapping, but divert funds and donations in kind from their legitimate field.

"When the Minister of Employment was in Auckland recently,' continued Mr. Moreton, "a deputation frjm our association brought this question under his notice. Our secretary, the Rev. Mr. Halliday, in stating the association's views, did not mince matters. Mr. Hamilton was most sympathetic and promised to bring the matter before Cabinet. He saw the danger of the field being entered by persons who were not vouched for." " Some People Won't Work." Referring to soup kitchens, Mr. Moreton said that at the last meeting of the Metropolitan Relief Committee it was decided to make a grant to the Salvation Army to help Major Holmes' travelling soup kitchen. "I am not in favour of permanent soup kitchens," he continued. "They tend to lower the moral of those who arc assisted. I see no necessity Tor one to be established in the city. There was a time when their existence was necessary, but that is not the case to-day, owing to the Unemployment Board's rationing scheme and the relief work carried on by the Hospital Board. Whenever and wherever free meals are given there will be an abundance of men on hand to participate, as every community has a class who won't work. The establishment of country camps and the provision of employment under various Government and other schemes make permanent soup kitchens unnecessary.

Best Work in Home. "Where the most good is done by social workers is in the homes. Our policy is to visit the people in their homes, investigate their position, and help deserving cases in a practical way. We do not aim at getting back to the position that previously existed, of overlapping in every direction. This has been reduced to a minimum by co-ordina-tion of social sex-vices. The association of which I am president embraces all creeds—Protestants, Eoman Catholics and Jews. We have a card index system for use of all, and the public are welcome to come to our offices and seek information. Wo are definitely of opinion that no person or organisation should be allowed to cdtne into the social workers' field without the hall-mark of our association." Mayor's Statement. The Mayor, Mr. O. W. Hutchison, as chairman of the Metropolitan Unemployed Belief Committee, stated this morning that in February last year he took up the question of the co-ordina-tion of the activities of organisations engaged in unemployment relief and recommended in a report that no social organisation should be recognised unless approved by a majority vote of tli/J metropolitan committee. "This was adopted at a conference held on February 24, 1932, at which 40 social organisations were represented," said the Mayor. "In additionthere were representatives present from all the local bodies in the metropolitan area. I agree that as existing .organisations fully cover the ground it is desirable that individuals or any new societies soliciting public contributions should submit their creden- I tials. I have recently received complaints regarding collectors for various objects where those called upon were uncertain of the bona fides of the persons canvassing. Arising from this a public notice is being inserted in the newspapers over the name of the town clerk, drawing attention to the fact that if any person is in doubt as to the genuineness of a collector or organisation verification or otherwise can be obtained by reference to the town clerk or secretary of the Social Workers' Association."