LONDON SLUMS

Taranaki Daily News, 10 November 1932, Page 7

LONDON SLUMS

CONDITION OF CHILDREN.

STRIKING IMPROVEMENT.

“What surprised me immensely was the definite improvement I noticed in the condition of the slum kiddies of London. They appeared to be well fed, clothed and clean,” said the Rev. F. D. Hart, vicar of Warkworth, who returned by the Maungauui recently after spending six months in England. Asked to what he attributed the change, Mr. Hart said he had not time to make full inquiries. It was no doubt partly due to the “dole,” which removed to some extent the result of unemployment. The local governing authorities were also responsible to some extent. Whatever the cause, the improvement in the children’s condition was outstanding. .Mr. Hart said he noticed that betting was very much on the increase, even amongst women. It had a tremendous hold on the working classes and had replaced the public-house trade to some extent. All the time he was in England he had only seen one man who he could say was definitely drunk. The people were getting more out into the open. Hiking was most popular, and road transport, being cheaper than rail, was enticing thousands into the country. “The church is more alive than many are led to believe,” eaid Mr. Hart. “There is certainly no need for pessimism in regard to its work- or the work of ths young people.” In referring to education, he said much improvement was being shown by a. new system of grouping by ages. One school would take children between certain ages only, and so on progressively. The teachers he had spoken to thought a great deal of the scheme and gave the opinion that specialising in this way gave the teachers, and the children as well, a better chance.