CHILD WELFARE DEPARTMENT

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26856, 8 October 1952, Page 2

CHILD WELFARE DEPARTMENT

WOMEN URGED TO USE SERVICES (New Zealand Press Association) PARAPARAUMU, October 7. Persons who saw cases of cruelty to children should report to the Child Welfare Department, said the Minister of Social Welfare (Mrs G H. Ross) at the conference of the National Council of Women this afternoon. It was of no use the ordinary citizen going tp the police without being prepared to go into Court and give evidence—which most persons were not brave enough to do. But where cases were reported to the department its officers could work effectively with the police. Mrs Ross said that criticism of the department was mostly aroused because most of its activity could not be made public. People did not know a great deal about the work it was doing. “Never be afraid to approach the Child Welfare Department on matters of interest to children” she added. “You will find them happy to have your help. If you don’t, you write to me and tell me about it.”

Mrs Ross was applauded when she said that one matter on the order paper for the conference was already being dealt with by Parliament—the time in which a prosecution for cruelty to women and children could be brought was being extended from three months to six months.