MEN FOR CAMPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 126, 30 May 1934, Page 13

MEN FOR CAMPS.

DELAY IN DISPATCH.

COMMITTEE'S COMPLAINT.

DIFFICULT WINTER PERIOD,

A complaint that delay on the part of tho Labour Bureau in sending men to camps was making it difficult for the Metropolitan Belief, Committee to assist all deserving cases was made by the Veti. Archdeacon 11. P. Ilolbrook yesterday at the meeting of the committee at which tho Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, presided. Father Ilolbrook said that young men who were willing to go to camp were told to wait a week or 10 days, and it was during that period that they sought relief from the committee. On the present amount received in sustenance the men could not pay for a room, for food, and their levy. The committeo had been assisting in a measure by finding part of the levy. It was contended that as soon as men expressed their willingness to go to camp they should be sent away. Reporting upon a visit recently made to camps oy Father Holbrook and the Rev. T. Halliday, the former said that they were agreeably surprised to find the men happy and contented. There were [instances where blankets would be appreciated and where literature was wanted.

The Mayor: The men can get plenty of literature and cards. All tliey have to do is to make an application to the committee of the Mayoress' fund. I don't see why men who desire to go to camp cannot he sent away immediately. I suggest the secretary r.liould send a letter to the Minister drawing attention to the position, and also point out that keeping the men hanging about a week or 10 days is a drain upon our funds. This suggestion was adopted. Assuming that the winter months were going to be hard ones with the committee, the Mayor said that the amount now in hand was £3595, and the cost of regular weekly assistance was round about £150. However, he thought they should make an allocation which would help in relieving distress during the winter, particularly as there would be a demand for coal and wood, and perhaps shoes for "children. The committee agreed to the suggestion of the Mayor and arrangements were made to enable the committee to carry on the work and meet the necessary increased demands which were to be expected during the winter months. The town clerk, Mr. J. S. Brigham, who is secretary of the committee, reported that the cash received to date was £2.3,722 15/, and the balance in hand £3505. The officer in charge of the relief depot, Mr. R. Grieve, reported that since May 8 i the depot had distributed ijine pairs of boots, 373 blankets; 323 denims, 4-13 shirts, 23G singlets, 523 pairs of socks, and 74 pairs of underpants. Boots and shoes repaired and dispatched numbered 083 pairs. Since May 8 a total of 183 men had left Auckland for various camps.