Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - V. Social Movements - 4. Other Social Movements - Care of the Needy and Destitute. By G. H. von Koch
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caite of the needy and destitute.
753
various conditions that prevail in towns and in the country. It has previously
been shown that, in a large number of townships, a voluntary band of helpers
has been got together to assist the board in the individual care of the poor.
Thus Norrköping possesses about 400 such helpers, Jönköping 100, and so forth.
Gävle was the first town in Sweden to adapt this method, on foreign patterns,
although similar efforts had been made in many towns, even in the fifties. In
the rural districts, where the communal board commonly constitutes the board
of guardians, no other division of labour exists in many parts than that members
are responsible for their own districts — division by districts —, but the
beginning of the guardian system is to be found even here.
Even in the matter of care in institutions, the conditions are very different as
between larger towns and rural districts. In the former, the means for providing
establishments quite up-to-date have been readily forthcoming, and the number
of necessitous cases has been so great, that a number of different institutions
have been established each with special functions. For example, there is in
Stockholm, a workhouse valued at about 2 million kr., opened in 1905, and
intended for able-bodied persons; and further an institution valued at about 3
million kr., for sick and poor incapable of work, and two large homes, besides,
for old people, a newly built home for old married couples, asylums for the
homeless, etc. Similarly in Gothenburg there is a large institution called Gibraltar,
now transformed into a place for tending the sick, and also old people’s homes
etc. In 1908—09 a large quite, modern establishment was built in Norrköping,
which in various departments receives all classes of poor, in all about 500. On
the whole, it may be said that in the towns great efforts have been made to
meet the need of quite up-to-date establishments.
In the rural districts care in institutions is by far more difficult to arrange.
There are insufficient means in many places, in others communities are so small
that local institutions can hardly be set up; and where institutions are built
they must serve all needs, — those of caring for the sick as well as of
workhouses. It is therefore desirable — and may be possibly effected by fresh
legislation — to erect establishments for a larger district, — for example the county —
with State resources provided for the purpose. In spite of the difficulties which
thus prevail at present, a rather large number of quite modern institutions have
been established in the provinces of låte years. Plans drawn by experts are now
being employed more and more, and specially trained officials are being
appointed, a procedure which is facilitated by the Poor Law Reform Association, (see
article). The establishments now erected are partly homes for old people, where
the aim is to arrange the whole as far as possible like an actual home, and
partly of poor law farms, which, apart from their functions as refuges for the
sick and aged, serve as workhouses. Whereas these former often consisted of
large farms and wooded estates, it is now observed that a small farm or garden
best meets the requirements.
It is conceivable that the old age and invalidity insurance scheme, started
1913 (see article), will essentially influence the development of such
institutions, but in what direction can only be conjectured at present.
The Swedish poor law organisation has not so far any central authority charged
with control and development. In every län, it is true, the governors are
responsible for superintending its management, but special, competent officials are not at
the disposal of the authorities. It is to be supposed that, in the expected
legislation, an inspecting authority will be set up, in connection with which the most
overburdened communities may receive help from the State in administering for
the relief of the poor. Meanwhile an organisation has been at work since 1906
— The Poor Law Reform Association — for the purposes of affording
information: it includes a large number of the boards of guardians and others
48—133179. Sweden. I.
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