THE PROBLEM OF CHILDHOOD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 152, 29 June 1937, Page 13

THE PROBLEM OF CHILDHOOD.

Modern Methods Lead the Way.

Miss Alice J. Greville was the speaker at an enjoyable afternoon organised by the social committee of the Epsom-Oak branch of the Labour party. The convener, Mrs. Mere Newton, was in the chair and the hostesses were members of the committee, Mesdames H. Booth, A. Gibson. N. Harris and Miss M. Booth!

Taking as her subject "Society and the Child," Miss Greville contrasted the old approach to the problem of childhood and the new. It was realised today, she said, that the child must not be considered merely as an adult in the making—each child had a definite contribution to make to society as a child. Children were any country's most precious and valuable production. Their uneorrupted sense of right values was irreplaceable in the social system. The oft-quoted "The child is always right" was based on a great truth which was often sadly misinterpreted by blundering adults.

Illustrating the creative ability of children, Miss Greville stressed the wonderful work of Professor Cizek, of Vienna. Persecuted originally for his ideas, his juvenile art class was one of the wonders of the educational world and was visited yearly by thousands of visitors.

Women had a distinctive contribution to make to society; without their upholding of spiritual values and the sanctity of human life, civilisation would become savagery. Women must work shoulder to shoulder with men, not only within the four walls of a house but outside, if the world was to become a real home for humanity. Eulogising the work of pioneer women in New Zealand, Miss Greville said people often forgot to pay tribute to the Maori women who came with the early canoes to make their home in a strange land, with a new climate and foodstuffs and home-building materials—just as did their European sisters centuries later.

Songs were given by Mrs. Killip, who also led community singing, and Mre. J. R. Loney, wife of the chairman of the social committee, sang "Fairy Pipers." Miss Archibald gave several recitations which were much appreciated.