CONDUCT OF HOMES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22574, 12 November 1936, Page 22

CONDUCT OF HOMES

CHURCH INSTITUTION INQUIRY TO BE HELD TREATMENT OF CHILDREN ALLEGATIONS BY SOCIETY [from our own correspondent] MELBOURNE, Nov. 1 Allegations that sonio children were put to bed at four o'clock in the afternoon and that meals comprising a slab of bread with a thin smear of jam and cokl water had been provided on occasions, were made by a deputation representing the Victorian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, which waited on the Chief Secretary, Mr. Bailey. The deputation asked for an inquiry into the management, of St. Martin's and St. John's Homes for Boys, virtually one institution, conducted by tho Anglican Church in the suburb of Canterbury. Mr. Bailey has since ordered an inquiry to bo made. The president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Mrs. Frank Andrew, said to Mr. Bailey that v rumours concerning the homes had worried the society for years. Nothing definite bad been done until, in the past few weeks, persons willing to substantiate the statements had come forward Visit By Delegation Lady Fraser said a delegation of four or five members of the society visited tho homes some time ago. Although it was not 4 p.m. a number of childien were in bed. Tho delegation was told that it was "bath day." Children were seen sitting to a meal of a slab of bread with a very thin smear of jam, and cold water. Tho delegation was told that that was all tho funds "ran to," that tho boys were all right, and that their standard of weight was correct. Mr. Bailey: Only bread and water? Lady Fraser: I give you ray word on that. We took out some oranges, but we were told that the boys must not be given any, because that would be bad for discipline. To put boys to bed at 4 p.m. without books or anything to amuse them is, I think, unhealthy and a form of cruelty. I was shown the store room, and it was packed with all sorts of nice things, such as jams and biscuits. Statement, by Archbishop Mr. Bailey said that the institution, in certain circumstances, came under his jurisdiction, and if lie were satisfied that it was not being conducted in the best interests of neglected children he had power to cancel its registration. He promised to bring tho allegations under the notice of Archbishop Head. A statement on the subject was made by Archbishop Head on tho following day. He said:—"Certain members of ! the board of management have for j some weeks been actively engaged in inquiring into the criticisms which have been made about the homes. In this tho rector, the Rev. Eric Thornton, has facilitated every inquiry. The fact that the Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Children intended to approach the Chief Secretary on the matter was quite unknown to tho members of the board, who would gladly havo discussed the matters now raised by the society had they been asked to do so. "I received no warning of the visit to the Chief Secretary until the morning of the visit. The board is taking all possible steps to meet reasonable criticism and has no desire to btirk inquiry into tho administration of the homes." Splendid Services to Boys Reference to tho subject is also made this week in tho diocesan magazine, the Messenger. An article prepared by the board of management of the homes says, among other things:—-"We want to recall the splendid services these homes have rendered to the Church in its work for boys. Until Mr. Thornton began his work in 1921 nothing of the kind was being attempted by tho Church. The property at Canterbury was put at Mr. Thornton's disposal, but he was given no grant, and there were no assets and no income. "Since then he has created auxiliaries and gained friends for the homes, who, between them, have raised tens of thousands of pounds on behalf of needy lads. He has sent out into the world a great number who have made good, many of whom return to tho homes for holiday periods, and frequently pay visits to the rector after long periods of separation. These facts speak for themselves. "Notwithstanding tho wonderful work done by the homes, we have consulted Mr. McVilly, the inspector of charities, and have asked him to give us his advice as to any methods whereby the homes could be improved. He made several helpftd suggestions, which are designed to safeguard the rector in his work and to help him and his committee to carry on the excellent work already done. Corporal Punishment "Bqsed on these, the medical officers have made several proposals. The first concerns the food supplied, in order that nothing should be overlooked in this respect. It is suggested that as. in recent years, dietetics have added so much to our knowledge in regard to types of food most suitable for growing lads, constant study and expert knowledge of these matters has become increasingly necessary. Accordingly, the doctors' suggestions will be carried out. "Secondly," proceeds the statement, "there seems to bo a consensus of opinion that corporal punishment is necessary occasionally, especially in consideration of the lack of early parental control in the case of many of these boys. But in order to secure its proper use by the officer responsible, such punishment should be recorded and the offence stated. Minor punishments in the home are applied in tho same way as most parents find advisable in tho training of their own children. The medical officers are of opinion that discipline in the home can be maintained and even improved by the alteration of some of tho rules, especially those relating to periods of silence. These suggestions will ho carried out." Comment on Statement Mrs. Andrew, commenting on this statement by the board, said the public should not be satisfied with it. "f did not think the Church authorities would treat our action so contemptuously/' she added. A few days later it was announced that Mr. Bailey had conferred with Archbishop Head, and that an inquiry would be conducted, probably by a police magistrate. Mr. Bailey said the request for the inquiry had come from three sources—from Archbishop Head, from Mr. Thornton, and from the Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Children. It had beon represented to him that allegations about the conduct of tho homes were made originally in July, and were dealt with by a special committee of tho homes in August, when Mr. Thornton had offered to resign his office. That offer had been refused tie committee, [