UNMARRIED MOTHERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19418, 28 August 1926, Page 9

UNMARRIED MOTHERS.

Sir,—l beg to thank the Rev. Lionel Fletcher for his explanation regarding the Question of the unmarried mother. His desire, like that of many others, is to "have compassion," and to raise those fallen by tho way. I am writing again just to make clear the point that the Anglican Church is not unmindful of tho particular need mentioned by Mr. Fletcher. At St. Mary's Homes an infant may be left in the Campbell Nursery when the mother leaves, if she is not ablo to trjke her child with iier, as she is always encouraged to do. If sho is too poor to pay, payment is not required. Sho is quite free to visit her child. Again, there is a creche at tho Mission House of tho Order of the Good Shepherd in Grey Street where infants may bo loft by mothers who aro obliged to work all day. Payment may be made, but if tho mother is too poor, payment is not required. Tho mission sisters alone know the circumstances of the mothers and their one desire is to help wherever help is needed. I think that the plan proposed by Mr. Fletcher, while admirable in intention and no doubt also in effect in places in England, might h'iive one drawback in the city oi Auckland. If mothers, out at work during the day, were to make the nursery institution their home after working hours, the faet would soon become known and would discriminate :sociallv against, them. Worso than that, it would tend to draw upon them the attentions of unscrupulous men. If unmarried mothers aro to bo helped morally and socially they must bo guarded and shielded as far as is practicable. Further details of Mr. Fletcher'# plan will be welcomed with interest. P. S. SMALWIELD.