Welsh Journals

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is to be hoped that in connection with the Ministry of Health there will be a Bureau of Child Welfare, where all work relating to child interests can be co-ordinated, and where means may be provided for the co-operation of every class of worker for child betterment. At present a number of voluntary agencies are endeavour- ing, amidst exceptional difficulties, to cope with the apathy, ignorance, selfishness, and erroneous teaching which opposes the advancement of scientific endeavours for the conservation of infancy, childhood and youth. We are lacking in effective leadership. We have but few reliable experts who can guide. Our knowledge regard- ing the ways and requirements of childhood is limited. Parents do not understand the ethics of eugenics, and are often too impatient with their children; they forget that every thought and consideration should be given to their requests and needs. "It is said that medical students re- ceive but little instruction regarding the child as a whole, and knowing but little regarding the prevention and management of morbid conditions occurring in early life, they understand even less regarding the manifestation of the normal child- hood." Teachers, with but few exceptions give but scant attention to the psychology of their in- dividual scholars, and continue to struggle in imparting instruction to huge classes or mere crowds of children. Then there are ministers and clergy of all denominations who remain very ignorant in understanding the mind of the child, and rarely show a desire to re-adjust their con- ceptions to the spiritual aspirations of the true leader-the developing child. Even our states- men are reluctant to provide legislative powers which shall secure the birthrights which should be the inalienable inheritance of every new life. In Child Welfare work there is urgent need that we should get back to fundamental prin- ciples. Much directing data is now available, and may be had from H.M. Stationery Office (National Health Department) and other organ- isations. We need to view the future in the light of to-day. There is urgent need for research in the State and the Church. Many benevolent people are willing to give large sums of money and pro- vide generous bequests in order to establish hospitals and homes for crippled, defective, diseased, and otherwise decadent children, and without doubt such havens are required. But it is lamentable that but few have sufficient vision to direct them to supply means for the adequate prevention of disablement and delinquency in childhood and youth, both physically and morally. We have seen this recently in connection with Correspondence. To the Editor of the "Welsh Outlook." THE MALADY OF WALES. Sir,­Your April issue has just reached me with its comment on my brief contrast between the "Geddes Axe and Education." "For four years money had been -poured in unmeasured quantities for blowing brains out. Now (in 1918,) at long last, some money was to be available for putting brains in. And now we are told the country cannot afford it. This is an attempt to make the children (the innocent ones) pay for the war. You ask, why the children? and there is only one answer. They are weak, and cannot resist, and the church and the nation ought to make such a policy impossible. If the cause of children is to be advanced beyond the element- ary stage-systematic investigations are essential." I There is need for the establishment of a National Child Welfare Centre in Wales, where all available knowledge of child problems can be kept ready for reference, and where research workers can be provided with all necessary assist- ance in the conduct of new investigations. What an excellent thing it would be if The Welsh School of Social Service could possibly have a Bureau of General Information bearing on all the problems and needs of the child and the growing boy and girl of Wales, with its:- 1. Expert Adviser and Director of Studies to assist the present Hon. Sec. who pioneered the school and who has sacrificed everything for its welfare. 2. Literature Department (for parents, teach- ers and children). 3. International Department, dealing with everything bearing on children of other lands- with its international Guest Chamber, to which we can invite experts from other countries to dis- cuss and deal with the needs of the children of the world. [The Rev. Gwilym Davies is to be heartily congratulated upon his excellent idea of sending out a message from the children of Wales to the children of the World. This is but the beginning of great things in the history of Wales.] 4. It should also appoint one or two organizers -one for North and one for South Wales-to visit the universities, colleges, churches, schools, and other organisations, and so bring before them the claims of the School of Social Service, and above all, the needs of the child and adolescent. The time has come when the most experienced leaders in Child Welfare should be commandeered and directed to serve the church and the country by providing the sanest available guidance for the protection and fullest development of the future citizens of our land. "For inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least ye did it unto me." Wales and Czecho-Slovakia and between Mr. Lloyd George and President Masaryk in n The Coming Renaissance." I was glad to read it, in spite of its ill-natured tone, partly because it showed that my thrust had gone home and partly because it drew from