CLERGYMAN’S CRITICISM

Northern Advocate, 14 September 1932, Page 9

CLERGYMAN’S CRITICISM

AUCKLAND SOCIAL WORK. REV. CALDER’S COAIAIENTS RESENTED. ■ (Special to “Northern Advocate.”) • = AUCKLAND, This Day. ;• Indignation concerning a- statement' undo by the Rev. Jasper Calder, City Missioner, in reference to the activities of the Auckland Metropolitan Unemployment Relief Committee. Avas cxirossed by members of the committee it their weekly meeting yesterday iifternoon. Air. Calder, in commenting on the Unemployment Board’s proposal to reluce the sustenance allowance paid to registered unemployed for whom Avork ;ould not be found, said that the social workers, were unable to do much to issist.the men. He gave it" as his jpinion that the serious position into which the social Avorkcrs had been thrown was contributed to by the formation of the Metropolitan Relief Committee. Air. Calder said that, as Vir as social workers were concerned, he Alctropolitan Relief Committee had men anything but a success. The total unouut of money raised had not been is much as the Social Workers ’ Association would have raised had they jeon permitted to canvass as they had lone before the metropolitan commitoewas set up. Air. Calder inferred :hat his remarks could be taken as ?oming from the whole of the social workers. Reference to Air. Calder,’s .comments was made at yesterday’s meeting- of ho relief committee, when the Alayor, Air. G. W. Hutchison, asked if • any member had any general business to bring up.

“Yes, personally I was indignant when I saw. Air. Calder’s opinions in the newspapers,’ ’ declared Alajor T. Holmes, of the* Salvation Army. “I think Air. Calder was out of order as far as the other social workers are concerned.” Alajor Holmes said that Air. Colder was certainly not speakingon behalf of all the social workers, “Tliis is not the first time Air. Calder has done this sort of thing,’-’ continued Alajor Holmes. As far as the Salvation Army was concerned, the Army officials thought the committee had been a success. He did not think that the assistance given to the Army would bo affected by the relief committee. Air. Calder had no right to speak on behalf of all the social workers. “I think the committee is doing splendid work,” concluded Alajor Holmes. Air. B. Clark, organising secretary of the Auckland City Alission, said that in bis • opinion what Air. Calder had said -was correct. Since the relief committee had been formed the social workers had been up against a proposition. Air.- Clark said that, .if the public knew the full facts about the boot pool they would-be very much

distressed. - ■ 1 Mr. T. MeNab gave the opinion that Mr. Calder had been right out of order in expressing the views that he did. The Eev. T. Halliday said that he thought the social workers had sup-J ported the committee. | Sir George Eichardson said that he would like to deny the statement that the relief committee had not. been a success. Personally, he thought that it had done splendid work. ‘* I think we should leave these bickerings to the reverend gentlemen,” commented the Mayor. If the social workers made representations to him the committee could make a reply, lie did not think that the committee tiecd take notice of such statements. He wanted to say that he was very grateful to those who had contributed to the funds of the committee. He would say that the contribution? had been very economically and ‘systematically distributed. The bulk of iho money contributed to the fund would not have been available, thiough the ordinary social service channels The discussion then lapsed.