E-4

1948 NEW ZEALAND

EDUCATION: CHILD WELFARE, STATE CARE OF CHILDREN, SPECIAL SCHOOLS, AND INFANT-LIFE PROTECTION [In continuation of E-4, 1947]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency 14th June, 1948. Sib, — In presenting my report on the work of the Child Welfare Branch for the year ended 31st March, 1948, I refer those interested to E-4, 1946, for fuller information about the functions of the Branch. Staffing Although there has been little change amongst the senior positions in the Branch except through retirements normally expected, the same stability has not been evident in more junior positions, where there has been more than average movement of staff in and out of the Service. This is probably linked with the fact that so far there has been little noticeable response to the new salary scales for field officers approved by the Public Service Commission last year. The establishment, recently announced, of a School of Social Work at Victoria University College should provide officers in the Service and prospective appointees with better opportunities for improving their academic qualifications. Honorary Child Welfare Officers At the 31st March, 1948, there were 223 honorary officers holding office in various parts of the Dominion under authority given them by the Hon. Minister. The Branch is fortunate in being able to call oil the services of these men and women, whose gratuitous assistance with the supervision of children, with the selection of foster-homes, and with other miscellaneous duties, particularly in outlying districts, constitutes a valuable community work. Child Welfare Institutions The destruction by fire, during the year, of the Receiving Home at Greenmeadows, Napier, and of the Trade Training Section attached to the Boys' Training Centre, Levin, was a serious loss to the Department, particularly in view of the current shortage of building materials and labour. A start has already been made with the replacement of the latter building, which is the more urgently required,