THE PROBATION SYSTEM.

Evening Star, Issue 19406, 15 November 1926, Page 10

THE PROBATION SYSTEM.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Your leader on the probation system is timely. It is to be hoped that the probation officers appointed under the new scheme will be qualifiecl to act as teachers in the University for practical classes in the School of Social Science. If the services of men so qualified ore ‘inobtaii-able in all the centres, then we shout 'stride to get such a man appointed in Dunedin, for it is in Dunedin, in association with the Medical School, that the School ot Social Science for the diploma in social science should be developed. The need for University training for social workers is now widely recognised, arid the creation of a proper system of training is a pressing question in New Zealand. The qualifications of the probation officer appointed in Dunedin are therefore a matter of the highest importance. The demand for a behaviour clinic and for a psychopathic hospital here is rapidly growing, and will soon become clamant. A mistake in the appointment of the probation officer here would therefore'create an awkward position in the near future. —I am, etc., • M.D.

PRACTICAL SYMPATHY. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Doubtless the many expressions of sympathy and appreciation of the manner in which his duties have been carried out which he has received from the residents of Mornington since the astonishing verdict of the jury in the Lockett v. Macartney case was published are very welcome to Constable Macartney. At the same time they do not ease ihe financial position. What is needed is the spirit of the Quaker in Mrs Beecher Stowe’s immortal work, who went around with the hat to each well-wisher inquiring: “Friend, how much does thee sympathise P”—l am, etc., Miriam. November 15.