THE EPIDEMIC

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 138, 7 December 1918, Page 4

THE EPIDEMIC

CASES OF DESTITUTION NOT A QUESTION OF CHARITY Group captains connected with the epidemic campaign met atx the Wellington Hospital yesterday' afternoon, a.t the invitation of the Minister of Public Health, to consider the question of providing tho authorities with material for future activities. Mr. H. Baldwin, Chairman of-^» Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, who presided, said tho meeting was called with a view to compiling records as to the amount of destitution that had been caused by the epidemic A fortnight ago, at a meeting held in the Mayor's room, it was agreed to keep a record of such, cases, and the officers of the Hospital Board, being in possession of the facts, would be able to keep trace of the cases of destitution that had occurred. The board recognised that its responsibility had commenced in regard to the care of tho children, 'and it was for the meeting to say how that work should be carried out. Mr. Forsyth asked whether it was the idea of the board that the orphan children shof'd bo treated as "outcast" children, or whether special provision should be made by the State for them. The Chairman replied that the board had to consider only the question of orphans. Children left with a father or mother could not be granted assistance, i In answer to a further question by Mr. Forsyfch, the Chairman said they would provide for help in cases where a child was orphaned and its relatives needed assistance in pz-oviding for its maintenance. He added that the gnardI ians would in every case be consulted as to the upbringing of the children. Most of the delegates handed in lists of cases, ranging from minor hardships to oases in which several children had been orphaned. Incidentally Mr. F. T. Moore showed the weed for a qualified nurse at Johnsonvillo, where the hospital had been closed down by direction of the Minister of Public Health. The Chairman said the Wellington Hospital staff was already greatly overburdened. Many of the nurses had not yet resumed duty. The Rev. S. Roberteon Orr said his experience was that it was better to see Miss Mac Lean personally, and put the facts before her when asking for assistance. Tho. Chairman asked delegates to give him the. names of any children whose cases were desperate^ and more than one delegates gave some distressing details. The Chairman promised that the cases mentioned would receive immediate consideration.

The Superintendent of Charitable Aid (Mr. A. H. Truebridga) said that as soon as he got details he would arrange for the necessary relief. Ono of tho modes woud be to provide help for parents and guardians, and relatives, instead of placing children under the care of persons who had no personal interest in them. Where such help was not available, the children could be sent to recognised- orphanages. The last resort was to send the children to State institutions. The board was not inclined to consider that course as anything but a last resort. Replying to a question, the Chairman said the money required for the support of the bereaved children was paid by the people—not by the Government or the people in detail, but by the people as a whole. ' '.■■■■■•■

Miss Phoebe Myers expressed the opinion that the board should take a personal interest in the children. The Chairman said it was not easy to get suitable homes. '

Miss MyeJs said they had received splendid offers to place children in homes such as they would have occupied if their parents had lived.

My. Castle said he wae quite prepared to move that members'outside the board be requested to aid the board in its efforts on behalf of the children. There was no stigma attaching to the children who receive assistance. It was merely a form of local government, and more especially in connection with tho result of the epidemic. The Chairman said that if the matter of relief was left to the board there would be no question of charity, but if it was left to the Government he would not answer for it. • If a mother wanted to keep her children she would get an allowance of, say, 8s a week, and she would also get a widow's pension. Mr. J. Smith said he thought they could safely leave it to the Government to provide sufficient funds to enable guardians to bring the children up in reasonable comfort.

Mr. T. Forsyth suggested that the board should change its title to "The State Ai3 Department." Finally it was decided that all the returns of destitution should be forwarded to the Minister of Public Health, and the Chairman congratulated the heads of the organisations on the inagnificen' results of their efforts.