FOR NEW ZEALANDERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 222, 19 September 1929, Page 23

FOR NEW ZEALANDERS.

OBJECTS OF THE ASSOCIATION CLUB AND LABOUR BUREAU. SCOPE FOR GOOD WORK. The development of the New Zealandera' ' Association on up-to-date utility lines, similar to that vigorous body, known in the Commonwealth as the Australian Natives' Association, was the subject of an appeal for support to the Auckland Rugby League last evening, when a deputation, consisting of Mr. C. E. Collins, the national secretary, and two officers, was received.

Mi. Collins stated that the organisation, which was designed to give material and social help to New Zealand-born people and permanent residents, was founded in .Wellington some years ago, but had slumped since the war. It was intended to. establish a club here and also a labour bureau. It was heartbreaking, continued the speaker, to see the large number' of New Zealanders now walking the streets and out of employment. The association hoped to carry on a good work in this direction. "We have got too much into a habit of going to the Government for everything," said Mr. Collins and we decided to commence our effort among sports bodies by approaching the Rugby League for its "co-opefation, advice and assistance. We find that on an annual membership subscription of 5/, the funds are inadequate to accomplish much. Our aim is to'discuss and take a part jn everything that is for the betterment of New Zealand and its people. The association is non-sectarian ■ and . nonpolitical and we desire to do something more than waste time wrangling about parties. We want a comprehensive and powerful body, with branches that will act from North Cape to the Bluff and be an influence for the far-reaching mutual welfare of New Zealand people. Jn short, this organisation should be the leading body of its kind '.in the Dominion."

Other members of the deputation spoke on similar lines and one speaker mentioned that with the object of getting things going he had started a labour bureau at his home on the Ist inst., since when he had received eleven applications for employment and eight of these people had been placed in work, with no complaints. Illustrating the poverty among New Zealand-born people in the city at present, it was stated that ail association official a week or so ago in Ponsonbv came across a "home," where a man who had been out of work five months, in order to keep things going, had sold up everything. In the house was only a large packing case, two banana cases and a number of sacks. The man, who was not a drinker, had a wife and three children. The association was glad to have been able to give some help. The association also intended to encourage New Zealand industries and it was felt that there was ample scope for good work. The League decided to give the representations full consideration.