FINE SOCIAL SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 57, 4 September 1937, Page 18

FINE SOCIAL SERVICE

AUSTRALIAN PROVISIONS

NEW ZEALANDER IMPRESSED

■ Mrs. J, I. Goldsmith, J.P., and her daughter have just returned from a very interesting visit to Melbourne and Sydney, where they spent much time in visiting various institutions connected with social service, as well as having a delightful experience in being kindly entertained by a number of friends and societies.

The night they arrived they were fortunate in being asked to hear a, lecture on the "Traffic Tangle in Melbourne," a subject which particularly interested them, as there is the same "tangle" being unravelled in Wellington. This meeting had been arranged by the Justices' Association in Melbourne, and Mrs, Goldsmith received a very cordial welcome, and gave frater-

nal. greetings from the New Zealand Association.

WORK AT ROYAL PARK.

They met the head of the Child Welfare Department, Mr. Hendry. who gave them many facilities for seeing what is being done for children of all ages in Melbourne, taking them byicar to a number of institutions. . Royal Park is the Governmental place for children, who are received there from the Courts. These little .ones are .of all ages, even neglected infants being received there in the first instance, Mrs. Goldsmith was most impressed with the work done at Royal Park, and was interested to find that the inmates, can stay till twenty year^pf age. There are iOJ acres of grounds, and included are games fields of all kinds for the older ones and wonderfully equipped playgrounds fpr the very smallest ones. Six acres are taken up with the buildings. The system is to work on the affections of the inmates as far. as Ros-; sible, and there is no "locked door", about the place either during the day. or night They have a.record of only one boy having run away during a considerable number of years. Mrs. and Miss Goldsmith, were happy to see so many healthy and happy-looking inmates, specially considering that they had often been taken from very sad and sordid surroundings. The.superintendent expressed the opinion that what brought many into trouble was the lack of any religious teaching in1 the homes or from any other direction. Eighty-two per cent, of their cases were non-churchgoers. It was felt that this led to a great deal of' delinquency, and it was found that they soon responded to better teaching. Mr. Hendry also showed the visitors the Salvation Army Home at Bayswater and the Roman Catholic"Home at Oakley. In each of these places it was easy to see both happiness and good influence. CHILPREN'S CQCBTS, Mrs. Goldsmith had an opportunity of sitting in the Children's Court in Melbourne, the presiding Justice there being Mrs. Rapke (who visited New Zealand last year).: She has V™* 1**1 there for many years, and Mrs, Goldsmith was particularly interested m noting her kindness as well as.her prompt and business-like way m dealing with cases. She made a point of speaking to the parents of the <*««*«" after the Court,. Wd was able to give both good advice and consolation 4o many of them. Mrs., Goldsmith also was interested to find that none of the officials about-ihi«f Court were in uniform. She gathered the ; Impression that this reacted in the way. ot making the children more ready to^speak out, and reduced any feelings of fear. This Court (as are the others In bourne) is open to the women Justices, an da great deal of fine work is done ther6' WOMEN'S SOCIETIES. The Victoria/League was exceedingly kind to the two visitors and they were provided with ■ delightful dnves, Juncheons, dinners, and other entertainment through the league members, all of which added greatly to their enjoyment of the beautiful city. The R.S.A. has a women's branch, which supplements the work done1 by the association There are the Women s Leagues also, which all over Australia-- do splendid work and are found m many directions. The Military Hospital at Caulfield was another interesting place, being marvellously complete for the health and enjoyment of the men. There was even a bank for the convenience of the inmates who have money transactions—in fact, nothing seemed to be lacking that the visitors could think of, VISIT TO SYDNEY. The beautiful city of Sydney was equally admired, though the visitors had not so much time to spend there, but the natural glory of. the scenery was much appreciated. They had morning tea with the Mayoress, and had a most interesting time seeing what was done with the Mayor's Funds, , A great deal of buying had to be done, and it was appreciated that an immense amount of work was involved in connection with this. Then there was the sorting of second-hand clothing, also a big work. Much interest was expressed by the Mayoress in New Zealand's school milk scheme. The Women Journalists' Association in Sydney, which has a big membership, also does good work in assisting in a number of the social services, as well as having their own special lines of service. In all, Mrs. and Miss Goldsmith had a delightful visit, and being both interested in social service, gathered a great deal of information about how things are done in the land of the "Big Neighbour Next Door." __,

Mrs. Goldsmith had an opportunity of sitting in the Children's Court in Melbourne, the presiding Justice there being Mrs. Rapke (who visited New Zealand last year).. She has presided there for many years, and Mrs. Goldsmith was particularly interested in noting her kindness as well as her prompt and business-like way m dealing with .cases. She made a point of speaking to the parents of the children after the Court, and was able to give both good advice and consolation to many of them. Mrs., Goldsmith also was interested to find that none of the officials about this Court were in uniform. She gathered the Impression that this reacted in the way of making the children more ready to speak out, and reduced any feelings of fear. This Court (as are the others in Melbourne) is open to the women Justices, an da great deal of fine work is done there