Social Worker’s View Of Delinquency Problems

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31753, 9 August 1968, Page 12

Social Worker’s View Of Delinquency Problems

The drift away from religious principles was one of the main reasons for delinquency, Lieutenant-Colonel F. Hay, superintendent of the work at the Salvation Army men’s social service centre at Addington for the last 12 years, said at a farewell service for him in the Citadel, last evening. Colonel Hay will leave Christchurch next week for Wellington to take up his new position as secretary for the Salvation Army’s social service work in New Zealand. There was a great need to meet the challenge of the new generation, he said. Persons should not only be talking about social service work, but they should be actively engaged in helping their neighbour.

The greatest effort should be in helping people to help themselves. Persons should beware of the easy charity which demanded nothing of the giver. The Mayor of Christchurch (Sir George Manning) said that Colonel Hay and Mrs Hay had both been keenly aware of the conditions of distress and poverty in the society. Lieutenant-Colonel L. Miller the divisional public relations officer, said that under Colonel Hay’s administration the work of the centre at Addington had been upgraded with new developments and new methods of work. Major M. Love, the women’s

Samaritan officer and Mrs Hay also spoke. The service was conducted by the divisional commander (Brigadier S. A. Smith) assisted by Major R. Knight, an officer with the city corps, and Captain C. O’Donnell, a member of the staff at the Addington centre. More than 100 persons attended including representa tives of Government Departments and social service organisations in Christchurch.