SOCIAL SERVICE WORK

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11224, 1 June 1922, Page 3

SOCIAL SERVICE WORK

_ / THE CHURCH'S DUTY. i At the annual meeting of St. Mary’s Homes yesterday Archaea-con "Watson spoke on the social service work of the ohuroh, explaining the Social Service Board which was set up at tho last Diocesan Synod. The object of this was to link up all the social work being done by tne church. At present there were five different organisations, all doing such work, all started by private enterprise and having/ no parochial or diocesan connection. The board w'asan attempt to let these organisations know each others’ work, without interfering with tho individual methods of organisation or internal management. The formation of the board was an experiment and if everyone helped it could accomplish great things. A second object was propaganda. It was astonishing how many church I members knew nothing of the social l service work being done by tho church. Other bodies doing similar work had their propaganda and comparisons were made to the detriment of , the church’s work on imperfect infomation. Nothing was calculated to dishearten workers more than this. The speaker instanced St. Peter’s Mission. where for many years great work was carried out under disheartening circumstances. It was realised now that it was necessary to spread information of what the church was trying to do, for will give if they know the need and are assured their gifts will be wisely administered’. The third object was to assist in maintaining the present work and make use of opportunities for further service. At present the diocese had a family to piaintain of 148 In the different homes and hostels, and this was growing. Then, too, they should establish as soon as possible a home for motherless babies. Since January the board had collected .£1286, thus showing people's willingness to give. Of this they had handed to St. Mary’s £9l, the Hutt Boys’ Home .£125, AH Saints. Palmerston North, JES 3, and St. Peter’s Hostel £57. The expenses had been about .£IOO, and the balance in hand was .£BOO. Each affiliated organisation had a representative on the board to watch its interests so that tho needs of all would be looked after.

The Rev. W. Hanseil, who also spoke on this subject, said that tho formation of the board was a great advance, as it showed that at last the _ church had realised the necessity of doing social service work, and it was the duty of every parish to take up this work. He remarked ' that it was. a triumph for St. Mary’s Guild, which hail been the first body in the diocese to start such work.