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36
The influx of immigrants to the Borough has naturally increased
the total number of those problems and with it of course the number
of non-white and other overseas people involved. The difference
in customs and social behaviour between these different types and
races, particularly when they are living together in large sub-divided
houses, is certain to give rise to various problems. Many of the
landlord-tenant problems involving newcomers appear to stem
from the fact that house purchase is often embarked upon without
an understanding or realisation of what is entailed. Paying too
much for property, buying property in serious disrepair, or where
there is a Compulsory Purchase Order pending, or on too short a
lease term, and even worse, taking up mortgages without sufficient
care and advice. Housing as we know is a field which may lend
itself to exploitation and people who are unfamiliar with this type
of transaction need expert and sympathetic advice before they
commit themselves. In my attempts to avert this type of problem
I have taken every opportunity available to draw the attention of
would-be purchasers to the pitfalls of unwise purchase. In fact I
mention this specifically to every likely person, particularly a coloured
person, who consults me on any type of problem. I have systematically
approached Personnel and Welfare Officers of industries
employing such people, and some have co-operated to the extent
of posting warning notices in the canteens suggesting that any
would-be purchaser of property would be well advised to approach
their local Citizens' Advice Bureau before getting involved. One
of the small committees on which I serve has prepared an article
on the pitfalls of unwise house purchase which is to appear in the
periodical Tropicana.
Matrimonial problems are fairly high on my list, and are
increasing in number no doubt because over the last year more
West Indian families are joining their husbands. Naturally these
are problems that frequently cannot be effectively dealt with by
Marriage Guidance Officers and usual Welfare Officers because the
sharp difference in attitude and social customs is such that normal
advice given to people in this country may not be in any way
appropriate.
Problems of adolescents comprise a significant proportion.
To date, a relatively small number of young people are coming to
this country. Nevertheless, among those who have come and had
no schooling in this country, there are a number who have difficulties
of adjustment and finding suitable employment.
I feel it relevant to point out that my work is not that of a
caseworker. Because of the time factor and the enormous volume
of work my services are necessarily restricted to people with problems
rather than people who are themselves problems, and therefore
require regular close supervision and guidance. So that I may
keep up with developments and trends and to maintain close liaison
with other interested authorities, a great deal of my time is devoted
to attending conferences, lectures, meetings and discussion groups
which are not necessarily confined to Paddington and which take
place at lunch time, in the afternoons and evenings—one or two
even at weekends.