PRESBYTERIAN SOCIAL SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23647, 3 November 1938, Page 7

PRESBYTERIAN SOCIAL SERVICE

ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE ORPHANAGE STAFF TRAINING The annual conference of representatives from the Dominion Presbyterian Social Service Associations was held in the Chamber of Commerce rooms yesterday, the Rev. John Paterson presiding. There were delegates present from Stratford. Wanganui Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill. Mr George Stephenson was appointed conference secreMr T. Somerville, on behalf of the Dunedin Association, welcomed the delegates. Co-operation with State Considerable discussion took place with regard to the nlace that the Church should play in the social service work of the Dominion, and it.was agreed that the executive establish contact with the Government relative to the working out of spheres of service in which both Church and State could work in the closest harmony and effectiveness, and that sister institutions be invited to co-operate in defining spheres. _ Professor Strong and Miss M. Salmond addressed the conference on the subject of the adequate training of staff, it being felt by all delegates that some definite plan should be adopted embracing portion of the curriculum of both the Home Science department of the University of and the Presbyterian Women's Training Institute, culminating in an examination which would qualify the graduate to be ordained to a special Order of sister°l°t "was agreed that the executive committee work out details and contact with sister institutions and submit definite proposals to a subsequent meeting. Children's Homes In her address, Miss Salmond stressed that an advance in social legislation could make economically secure homes, but it took women of Christian culture to make good homes, and until such time as women regained their sense of the vocation of wifehood and motherhood there would continue to be the broken homes, the taking care of which constituted a large part of the association's work. In. the matter of staff for children's homes, something more than culture was necessary, and that was a sense of vocation from the Christian angle. Miss Salmon was not of the opinion that women with hosoital training made the best matrons of children's homes because of their " sickness " background. Professor Strong said she welcomed the invitation to confer with the members of conference regarding the best type of training for children's homes' staffs, stating that it was the first time she had been called upon to advise such a representative body in New Zealand. She stated that such cooperation, in order to achieve the greatest possible efficiency, while quite common and usual in America was too uncommon and unusual in New Zealand. Professor Strong stated emphatically that she considered a right mental attitude to such a work was of fundamental importance, and a number of young people in New Zealand made a wrong approach to such work, due in the main she thought, to a total lack of religious education. Apart from the right mental attitude, no matter what academical qualifications a person had. she was not likely to make a maximum contribution to the work of the orphanages. A matter of great. importance was a thorough and practical knowledge of nutrition and house management and it was in this sphere that the Home Science Department could help in the training of staffs. .

Professor Strong concluded her remarks by saying that she was sure a satisfactory course of studies embracing those taught at the P.W.T.I. and the Home Science Department could be worked out and applied. She stated, however, that there was a great dearth of home science teachers in New Zealand, and that in order to meet the already existing demand and cope with those desirous of entering Studholme House much more accommodation was necessary. It was considered that In order to avoid wastage consequent upon unsuitable persons entering upon the course of study, it would be advisable for a probationary period of 12 months to be served in the children's homes.

Reports of the various associations were on hand, showing that approximately 400 children were accommodated in the Presbyterian children's homes throughout New Zealand. . A full programme of educational, social, and cultural development of the children was being vigorously maintained the great majority of older boys and srirls attending post-primary schools. Tt was hoped that the provisions under the Social Security Act affecting orphanages would balance the increased ' cost of running the homes, due to the rise in the cost of. living. The pension for orphan? in their own right was!something the associations had asked for for years. Psychological Clinics The question of establishing psychological clinics in each of the four main centre? which would hsve the full confidence and co-operation of all educational bodies was considered to be one of the most needs of the times, which, if effective, would greatly reduce the number of broken homes and so lessen the number of children coming to the associations for custodial care. It was felt that preventive work should be more the concern of the associations than in the past. General It was reported that the decline in receipts from legacies, particularly in the North Island, had placed the finances of some of the associations ir an unsound position. It was agreed that the convener (the Rev. John Paterson) Dresent the combined report to Ihe General Assembly, and that furthpr meetings be held during the to go into matters of future policy.