PROTECTION SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 108, 10 May 1939, Page 17

PROTECTION SOCIETY.

FUNDS ESSENTIAL. STEADY INCREASE OF WORK. Mr. D. Donaldeoa, J.P., presided over the usual monthly meeting; of the committee of the Protection of Women and Children'* Society, held in the society'* room*. An extra meeting: wu* held during the month to receive the annual r<*|«ort and balance-eheet and to make arrange inent* for the annual meeting to be held on May 22 in the Fabian Club rooms. The patron of the society, Hie Excellency Lord Galwtay, i* unfortunately unable to attend the meeting, but the committee in gratified that Her Excellency. Galway, has intimated her intention of being prment. Invitations are being sent to all subscribers and to many friends of the society, also to Church leaders, members of the Legislature, and social workers. The ineetiny is a leu o|>en to the public. The chairman'* report, as published. gives an illuminating survey of the community service lieing rendered !">y the society, whose help in in constant demand by ]*op]e in trouble, often of a very private nature. This work has shown a steady increase during the 45 years since the society was founded, and. although ease work has more than doubled in ten years, the only increase in staff has been the appointment of a typiste. A serious blow has been the lose of a street collection this year, and this, added to the fact that subscriptions haw fallen off considerably, brings the society face to face with the most serious financial crisis in its history. Funds in haul will meet current ex|ten»cs for a few weeks only. It is intended to make in urgent ap|ieal for fliiancial assistance t<> carry on this essential service. Social Diseases. A resolution was discussed drawing attention to the prevalence of venereal disease, and the menace it is to tilt' welfare of the community. A sub-com-mittee is to be set up to consider tlu> problem and submit a report and recom ■Herniations thr-reon. Destitute Chinese Children. An ap|>eal from Mrs. T. Bloodwortli. convener of a meeting to organise the collection of funds for the relief of Chinese war orphans, asked for delegates to the meeting, to Iμ? held at a committee room of the Town Hall tonight. It was reoolved to give wholehearted support to this movement to help the work of aosieting the little victim* of war in China, and the executive committee undertook to "adopt" several Chinese children. This means that for each child "adopted" the sum of £4 annually will be contributed, being the amount computed to feed, clothe and educate a child. About four years is the period allotted, and then the child m fitted to earn its own living Special collections will lie made as no general fund* are available for this purpose. Maintenance Orders. A letter was received from the Department of Justice promising H n investigation into conditions at the Magistrate's Court for the enforcement of maintenance orders. The society had pointed out to the Minister of .Justice that the lack of accommodation and sufficient etaff hamper* the work of the maintenance officer at Auckland, mentioning that there i* not even a waiting room for women seeking the help of that officer, and they may eometiniee have to wait in queues in "the corridor of the Court. There is scope, it was stated, for much improvement in the method and facilities for enforcing orders of the Court for the payment of maintenance, as at present 'the unscrupulous and obstinate man may defy the Court and pive considerable trouble before lie is brought to book. Even then there is little comfort for the family in a prison sentence for the defaulter. Reports of the work of the month showed a total of 117 raie» dealt with, of which 21 were sent to the solicitor. Maintenance received and paid to clients amounted to £360.