POVERTY IN AUCKLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 186, 8 August 1930, Page 10

POVERTY IN AUCKLAND.

"LACK OF FOOD KEEPING THE

riOSPITAL FUIil/."

RELIEF COMMITTEE'S TASK.

The Relief Committee of the Auckland Hospital Board yesterday had to face one of the worst experiences when the waiting rooms of the board's buildings were crowded with people waiting to see the food, allowances allotted. The names of 320 people seeking relief were laid before the committee. Many of those who waited were in 111-heaitli, and never before have so many certificates certifying unfitness for work been brought before the committee. "Lack of proper nourishment," said Mrs. J. E. Kidd, "is keeping the hospital full at present." The Rev. W. C. ood endorsed that statement, saying that at Papakura, where there were a number of relief works, many of the men broke down because they were poorly nourished and possessed insufficient clothing. The most pitiful cases were those of men who were living in poorer houses in country districts where rents were cheaper. He had personally interviewed many families and what he saw made him feci sad that such conditions could exist. "In the country people never look for help until they have endured semi-star-vation and are forced to appeal," said Mr. G. T. Parvin, in presenting the longest list he had ever had from the Pukekohe and Waiuku districts. The cruelty of the poverty which existed in Auckland at the present time, he said, sent a cold shiver down one's back. There were 200 genuine cases of unemployment on the list presented to the committee, 60 sick persons seeking relief and 20 cases of insufficient meaiis. That made a total of 280 cases directly due to unemployment. People were seeking relief who werfe not used to seeking charity and they had applied, to no other organisation. Married men appealed to the committee to make a recommendation to local bodies that preference should be given to married men in the allocation of casual work. Tlie committee decided to make the recommendation.