ASSISTING THE NEEDY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 251, 22 October 1926, Page 11

ASSISTING THE NEEDY.

SOCIAL WORKERS' OPERATIONS. DURING THE PAST TWO MONTHS. WORST WINTER FOR YEARS.

On all sides it is admitted that the winter just passed has been cnaracterised by more -cases of hardship arising out of unemployment than in any previous year in Auckland. Even the Hon. K. S. Williams, Minister of Public Works, admitted this when a deputation of fifteen representatives of employers and workers waited upon him on October 4.

The winter months are always expected to bring about unemployment, but not to the extent that has prevailed this year, and from interviews . bad to-day with the heads of prominent charitable and social organisations, it is quite clear that the amount of distress and hardship, although less than during the past few , months, is still bad.

The chairman of the Hospital and Charitable Board, Mr. W. Wallace, states that in all his long experience he never. remembers so much distress, and says it is pitiful to know that strong, honest and able-bodied men, some single, but many with wives and families, are unable to find work. "For the Government to place 40 or 50 men on.public works is not meeting the position at all," said Mr. Wallace. "What is wanted is something big, something that will give jobs to 1000 men. I'll give you some idea of how much hardship there is in Auckland. Do you know that since the Unemployment Committee wae set up in June the Charitable Aid Board has distributed upwards of £4000 in cash, groceries and rent? And, mind you, there are other organisations rendering assistance freely, so that for anyone to say that the position is not half so bad as we try to make out is absurd." Mr. Wallace said that the old saying that if a man was willing he could get a job was nonsense. He knew of two young New Zealanders who - had walked from Wellington to Auckland in search of employment. All the_ way up they sought work, but arrived in Auckland without securing anything. He quoted another case of a. man who had been on the waiting list at the Labour Department's office since April and was still without a job. One Thousand Meals. ■Should any individual ■ put in an appearance at the Salvation Army Workmen's Home in Lome Street to-day and be supplied with a free meal, that would make just 1000 free meals given out at the home since August 1. In addition 495 beds were supplied without charge. These figures were obtained from Commandant: Parsons this morning, and he, like all other social workers, said that this year was the worst he had known. In 1922 unemployment was, pretty,rife, and the .Army erected a large tent on a section in Lome Street, and for four months provided accommodation for 50 men nightly.. But even this was not as bad as.the winter just ended. . . . v • Men's v Industrial Home. - '. j The .Workmen's Home in Lome Street is only one item in the Salvation Army's' operation. Staff-Captain Davis was in a position to supply figures to show that the relief.of those "up against it" wu no email matter. In August and September ' callers at his office who we're assisted with board and cash numbered 142, involving a sum of £89 16/. In addition blankets, clothing and boots valued at £45 were distributed, while the 1 men sheltered at the Meri'e. Industrial Home at Epsom averaged 60 nightly.

Sister Esther Busy.

•"I have 'never known "such a- hard time/, said .Sister Esther, who has been carrying on benevolent work in Auckland for \l9 years and is, therefore, in a position to give an opinion which carries weight. During August Sister Esther supplied 234 free meals and, distributed £123 in cash, but last month £197 was handed put and 270. meals. In addition there was considerable clothing, groceries and firing. Even now the position was acute and there was much distress and hardship which she knew of.

The City Mission.

One of the busiest of social workers is the Rev.* Jasper Calder, but unfortunately the "Star" representative could not get in touch with him this morning. However, it was ascertained from the office that the amount of money, clothing, groceries and firing given out this winter far exceeded the corresponding period of any other year. Some weeks well over 100-food orders or parcels of groceries bad been issued, although the last couple pf weeke had not been so bad. Clothing had been distributed consistently and much assistance had been rendere, but there were numerous genuine needy cases still, an it would be some time before the hardships of the unemployed would cease. For the past couple of ?oa D coet 4 .° the Miß9i °n averaged £80 a month, this not including meat groceries and odd meals. S

All Working Hard. While the social workers of the city are all doing their best and hoping that the time is near when unemployment will be reduced to a minimum, they are all of one opinion—that no previous winter has brought with it so much dier ??;* nd M rdsKi P ac 1926. Gifts of clothing, food or donations of. any kind are always welcomed, because there are plenty to be see sted. '