BOOK NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 106, 31 October 1942, Page 9

BOOK NOTES

"There is a great opportunity for a constructive effort that would not only benefit the children immediately affected but might also help to bring a more alert and sensitive spirit into the practice of child welfare generally. If this report assists if only in a small way to stimulate such an effort _ its main purpose will have been achieved." These are concluding words of a pioneer study on "The Institutional Care of Dependent Children in New Zealand," compiled by H. C Mathew and published by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research. This very valuable survey is based on visits to 23 children's homes conducted by the Protestant churches in various parts of the Dominion and, although constructively helpful and not in the main condemnatory, it is rather disquieting. The 23 homes visited were representative of the type and standard of the work being done and, says Mr. Mathew, "if anything, the standard of work in those visited was probably higher than that of quite a number of the homes not seen." Yet. "in about one-third of the places visited the sanitation arrangements with regard to both lavatory and bathing accommodation were inadequate." In two-thirds of the homes "the diningrooms were large, barren, and unattractive"; "the kitchen in at least half the homes left much* to be desired"; "the laundry was probably the most-neglected part of the institutions"; "the dormitories were perhaps the most disappointing part of most institutions; in two homes alone had any imaginative attempt been made to prevent the dormitory • giving the impression of a large room crammed full of beds." and again: "Externally, most of the buildings were in a very good state of repair, but many were not so well cared for internally. There were signs of wear and tear and a rather general air of drabness. ... In few of the homes was any provision made for central heating. ... In at least four cases fire hazards appear to exist. In one instance it was discovered that the door giving about 30 children access to the only fire escape available was locked." On the question of food, Mr. Mathew says that, according to ordinary New Zealand conceptions of diet, the children in most homes are amply fed, but on modern dietetic standards there appear to be many shortcomings. Shortcomings are evident, too, in the social life and training of children: some of the places seem to be "institutions" rather than the "homes" they ought to be. Although this may all savour of condemnation, the survey as a whole is very constructive, and, when dealing with the administrative side of the homes, gets down to fundamentals and shows where the weak spots lie. Committees who are elected to manage these homes too often consist of people who, although well-meaning enough, know little or nothing about how such homes should be run, so consequently their reports after routine visits of inspection are of little or no value. Furthermore, the homes themselves are too often staffed by untrained persons who know little or nothing about social questions or child psychology. The proper training of personnel is a matter of urgency, says Mr. Mathew, who does not underestimate the difficulties of the whole problem. He recognises the valuable work which has been done, but a perusal of his book gives one the uncomfortable feeling that the care of dependent children in New Zealand leaves much to be desired, and that this very necessary work .has not kept pace with the social progress made in other directions.