YEAR OF GREAT NEED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 134, 8 June 1932, Page 11

YEAR OF GREAT NEED.

. ■ . BEKEVOLENT SOCIETY. MAXY CASES OF DISTRESS. Regret that the work of the Auckland Ladies' Benevolent Society has been sadly limited owing to the society's steadily diminishing income is expressed in tho report to bo presented at the annual meeting.

"Never has the society experienced a. year of gTeater need —a need far beyond our resources," says the committee's report. "Every month fresh applicants for relief are brought before the committee, only to be sadly refused. For the past six" months we have been unable to add any frcsli cases to our list, unless to (ill the places of those who no longer require help. A great deal of our work is done among old ladies, who, perhaps, are recipients of old ago pensions, but may be dependent on equally poor relations. Now in this financial stress, often no help is coming from their families. Married sons and daughters with large families, many of these unemployed, cannot help their parents, who, without the assistance that our society can giro them, would be in great difficulties." This year, the committee feels, the society will havo to make a big effort to secure funds, as friends who have generously supported the society for many years have, through the financial depression, reduced or withdrawn their subscriptions. The society needs and could wisely spend £100 a month, but for the past six months the average expenditure has been £75. Every case- assisted had been thoroughly investigated and was known to be deserving. No ono was assisted without personal visits and the society was certain that there was neither overlapping nor imposture. The report records appreciation of the help of the Sunshine Committee of the Rotary Club, Miss Elsie Morton, the Friendship Circle and the Girl Guides' Association, in whoso rooms the society's monthly meetings aro held. The report also expresses deep regret at tho death of Mr. N. A. Nathan, one of tho society's vice-presidents, and for many years president. Mention is made of the fact that there has never been a time in tho society's history without a member of the Nathan family holding an important position on tho committee.