RELIEF FOR NEEDY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20641, 13 August 1930, Page 15

RELIEF FOR NEEDY.

PLAN TO STOP OVERLAPPING. SOCIAL WORKERS CO-OPERATE. I CENTRAL REGISTRY PROPOSED. The desirability of the difforent social organisations in tho city combining to prevent any overlapping in their activities was stressed by speakers at a special meeting of the Auckland Social Workers' Associatiqn, held yesterday in the Manna House. After a lengthy discussion the executive of the association was instructed to bring down proposals for the establishment of a central bureau for tho registration of relief cases. The Rev. G. E. Moreton, who presided, stated that the meeting had been called for tiie purpose of forming a definite scheme which would make for efficiency among social workers and stop overlapping in their activities, which had been shown to exist during the recent commercial travellers' "drive." Ho thought that all were in favour of a schemo to establish a central office, but the necessary factor was finance if a bureau was to be arranged. "I think that ail we have to do at this stage is to ascertain what an office would cost," remarked Mr. A. 11. Wilkie. /'I do not think there is any argument about taking over the card system used in the commercial travellers' 'drive.'

Question ol Special Cases. "There are a number of social workers who have special cases and these workers would not want to divulge their names to a central office," said the Rev. Thomas Halliday. "I think it would be desirable to allow discretion to the workers in keeping their names back. There are a number of old people who would object to having their names handed in to a central office." "I think the scheme could be done with remarkable cheapness. It could be all worked out and put in the hands of a sub-committee in half an hour," said the Rev. Jasper Calder. . Mr. Moreton said the idea in mind was to have a central offico with a card system of record, with one person in charge. It could be entirely confidential and would be available to all social workers to prevent any overlapping of activities. It was difficult to arrive at the best moans of putting the scheme in operation, but it was suggested that a sub-committee should be set up to bring forward proposals. Great Saving by Scheme. "We need a largo gathering where the whole scheme could be put forward and agreed to by all," said the Rev. C. G. Scrimgcour.' "Then wo could consider ways and means. Such a scheme would be of benefit to the social workers, saving them thousands of pounds a year, and also to those seeking help. It would stop creating a "body of people moving from place to place getting a littlo here and a little there."

"Liko Mr. Scrimgcour, I think that wo should not fix any details but I do consider that something definite should be done," said Mr. Calder, who suggested that social organisations should be divided into three classes according to their size and should pay a graduated weekly levy. Tho sum required to establish an offico would be saved time and again. Thcro was no need for a separate office, as some city firm totally dissociated from social workers with a telephono in its office would make a place in its existing office for the records for the sum of, say, 30s a week. The association could not ,afford to pay £1 a week for rent and have an office of its own.

After further discussion, the executive of the association was instructed to formulate a definite proposal for consideration at the next full meeting, when all social organisations were invited to attend. It was also decided to ask all charitable organisations, largo and small, to join the association.