PROBATION OFFICERS
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sin,—Writing of Mrs. Le Mesurier's book - your reviewer asks "does the reader realize that able and devoted men with a vocation for probation work are being debarred from it because they are not Communicants of the Church of England ? "
This can only be an additional condition imposed by some local Authorities, and cannot, I feel sure, have the sanction of the Home Office, as all that they require is that the officer who is appointed should be of "strong character, and personally likely to influence for good the probationer placed under his charge."
In my own experience one of the best officers we ever had was a Free Church Minister, and as to the others I do not think any question is ever asked as to their religious views provided they comply with the requirements above named. I only wish there were more of them, as in the rural districts they have at present too large areas to cover, but even there they do wonderfully good work.—I am, Sir, &c.,
H. M. J.
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