CLOTHES ISSUED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 145, 20 June 1940, Page 11

CLOTHES ISSUED

FAMILIES REUNITED. NATIONAL SERVICE MOVEMENT. Speaking this morning beside a ragged line of linen waiting patiently to be issued with clothing, -Mr. ]?. Laurie, director of the National Service Movement, described what 'measures' the movement had taken in helping the passengers, and crew of the Niagara a-fter they ;had been landed in:" Auckland.

' "The services of the movement were offered to the Mayor, on receipt o£ the news yesterday afternoon," lie said. "We also got in touch with the jScamen's Mission and the shipping company. By six o'clock 5U members were present, each with a ear. "Buses had been arranged to take survivors to city hotels, but our aim was primarily to cater for those who lived in or near the city, or who had relatives living nearby. Unfortunately, in the confusion, many people living in Auckland boarded the buses and were taken to the hotels. This meant that another fleet of cars 'had to be requisitioned to call at the hotels to take these people to their homes. "Meanwhile, a telegraph bureau had been set up at the depot to take the names and addresses of relatives and friends, and by the time we stopped at 2.30 a.m. this morning there was only one family not accounted for." Menibers of the men and women's section of the movement were busy this morning interviewing those who were destitute and supplying, as fu'.as possible, their immediate needs. In this connection, many city merchants had aided immeasurably by generous donations of clothing and other necessities. Mr. Laurie remarked that the movement -was giving these services, recognising that the men would eventually receive allowances from the shipping company and other bodies. It ivae 'he .immediate needs ol the men which were being met. •