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1ll
Women who have neglected their homes and maternal
responsibilities need to be very carefully dealt with in order to
obtain the bgst results. Some, having gradually drifted
through misfortune or adverse circumstances into careless and
thriftless ways, require sympathy and encouragement. Others,
who have contracted bad habits through alcoholism, &c.,
require very plain speaking, firmness, and warnings of proceedings
to be taken under the Children Act should the instructions
given for improvement fail to be carried out. When once they
can be induced to admit that the state of affairs is unsatisfactory,
the difficulty is almost surmounted, and, after a few
visits, during which remedies for the various undesirable
conditions are suggested by the inspector (who, in the meantime,
sees that dirty and verminous walls and ceilings are
cleansed and structural defects remedied), a fresh start is made.
Of course, continued supervision is necessary in the worst
cases, otherwise "backsliding" takes place, but unfortunately
the cases are far too numerous to permit of constant visiting
for an indefinite period. Amongst the most hopeless are the
mothers who are mentally deficient, and who from sheer
incapacity are unable to care for their children properly.
Under such circumstances, I have found it best to invoke the
aid of the Rescue Officer, who induces the parents to contribute
towards the child's maintenance in an institution. At least
twenty of such mothers are under supervision.
On the whole I feel quite sure that the work done is bearing
fruit, that we are, slowly but surely, rousing indifferent parents
to a more lively sense of their responsibilities, that they will
gradually become more self-respecting and more careful of the
welfare of their offspring.
54. The following is Miss Fitz-Gerald's Report:—