MORE THAN BEFORE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 10, 12 January 1929, Page 11

MORE THAN BEFORE.

APPLICATIONS FOR RELIEF. HOSPITAL. BOARD'S WORK. UNWELCOME SURPRISE YESTERDAY. When the members of the relief committee of the Auckland Hospital Board finished their work at the final meeting last year there was a feeling of optimism among them. They believed that the peak of relief work had been reached, and that the New Year would bring something better. Yesterday, at the first meeting of the New Year, a sad surprise awaited them. Only seven years ago, at the first meeting of the year 1922, the committee found (iO names on the list to be considered. Yesterday there were 270. It was at the beginning of January, 1927, that a startling increase was shown in the number of applications for help. There were then 187 cases, a great number being from those who said they could not obtain jobs. During the year the situation became worse because as the winter months wore on the unemployed were told by the Prime Minister that it was the duty of the Hospital Board to supply their wants till they got work. The result was that outdoor relief increased to the extent of over £10,000 for the year. In January, l'.)2S. there was no improvement, and 195 cases were dealt with, a whole day being set apart for the purpose. A new class of applicant altogether was being dealt with, which taxed the activities of this department of hospital board work to the fullest extent, and it was necessary largely to increase the office staff, more especially as the relief was given only for short periods and the constant work of reviewing the cases became a severe strain on members and staff alike.

Yesterday's list was the largest the committee has ever had to consider. From many points of view it was a distressing meeting:, more than half of the cases being due to unemployment. Numbers of people seemed to have gravitated to Auckland who were suitable only for light work and there were not enough jobs of that kind to absorb all those offering. Xo class of applicant receives such kindly consideration as the old couples who have reached a very old age and who are jogging contentedly down the hill of life, being satisfied with little and grateful for what they get. In spite of the unexpected increase, members of the committee had the feeling that such a condition of things would not last lonir.