GUILD WELFARE

Southland Times, Issue 19517, 17 May 1922, Page 7

GUILD WELFARE

WORK OF P.S.S.A. HOMES FOR CHILDREN. In late years there has been, an increasing tendency on the part of the churches to exploit the field of practical philantrophy in the provision of homes and. comforts for the very aged and the very young, who require assistance, and the attention of a reporter was directed the other day to work of this nature that is being done under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church. The movement had its genesis in Dunedin some sixteen years ago, when a number oi gentlemen under whose guidance the jjohey of the church, was shaped in these matters, foresaw the need for some organisation whereby social work among the people could be carried out. The Presbyterian Social Service League came into existence tis a result of their deliberations, and during the past decade or so the organisation had prospered and so widened in its scope that the conduct of the various institutions has become a business of considerable importance and one in which those at the head of affairs are endeavouring to interest as many people as possible. A brief outline of the work already accomplished. in Southland was given, to the reporter by the Rev. J. Collie, who said the work began in Invercargill in 1917 at the suggestion of Otago, where it had been successful for many years. A considerable amount of support from Southland had been given to the work in Dunedin and it was thought that the establishment of an organisation in the south would create local interest. After a time Southland separated from Otago and set out on. the work as a separate entity, but working in a spirit of friendly co-operation with Otago. At the present time the League had two I institutions under its aegis, Cameron Home and Gladstone Home. Boys under twelve and girls up to primary school age are ' received and the general class of case is that of children who have lost one or both parents. Where the parent or guardian is aide to pay, arrangements for the payment of board is macle. The League does not concern itself with court cases and children with criminal tendencies are not taken, as where a number of children are together, as they are in. homes, the risk of these children influencing others is not taken. At Cameron Home there are 21 girls and nine smaller boys and at Gladstone 19 boys. Two girls and two boys Eire in situations. Sister Alice who was in charge of Cameron Home at its inception is still in charge there and Miss Miller occupies a similar position at Gladstone.

Part of the policy of the League is to make the homes as much like a real home as possible, and the children go to school each day, returning after the day’s work is over. It has been suggested that such small homes cannot be as economically worked as larger ones but the League takes the view that a homely atmosphere should prevail and individual contact between the children themselves and between them and their teachers should be as close as possible. Mr Collie considers that from 30 to 35 children as a maximum makes an ideal home. The homes are suported by public contributions, canvasses in the various congregations and the like. Help is also received in other directions, such as from young people’s societies, harvest thanks-giving ' services, and the ladies of the congregai tions and bible class girls help with darning ; and mending. Farmers often give proI mises of donations of provisions and live ' stock, a scheme of assistance that has been i very successful and is greatly appreciated, i During the past few years the League has had a big expenditure to meet in the i connection with the purchase of homes, I and their alteration to suit the purpose : for which they were bought, and their I upkeep. Much of this is non-recurring ex--1 penditure and the League is at present in need of all the assistance it can get to put ! the homes on a sound footing and to be j able to meet future developments with a sound foundation on which to build up the : work. Whenever the facts have been I brought before the people in Southland, Mr Collie told the reporter, a favourable j response has always been given and that !at the present time those who desire to see many young people, who through cirJ cumstances over which they themselves have no control, started out in life under home-like conditions and Christian influences, are invited to show their appreciation of the League’s work as they consider the occasion calls for.