POUND SCHEME.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20272, 25 June 1931, Page 7

POUND SCHEME.

FARMERS' UNION TO HELP. REQUEST FOR ANOTHER CONFERENCE. Support for the Citizens' .Relief .Association's Pound Scheme, by way of assistance in collecting produce in the country districts and a request to the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association to reconvene a meeting of farmers' organisations to reconsider their previous resolution not to proceed with a scheme, was agreed upon by the executive of tlie North Canterbury District of the New Zealand Farmers' Union yesterday afternoon. The chairman (Mr Colin Mcintosh) announced that a deputation from the Citizens' Belief Association would "wait on the Union. Mr K. T. McMillan: It is hard to see the newspaper, posters saying "Farmers refuse to help unemployed." Tho chairman: We have not gone as far as that. It was decided to receive the deputation, which consisted of Messrs George Harper (chairman), F. AY. Belton, and W. W. Scarff. Deputation's Bequest. Mr Harper said that Bishop Brodie was to have been present, but was unable to attend. He explained the operation of the Pound Scheme, stating that people were asked to give a pound of anything, chiefly of groceries, for the relief of the destitute families. The scheme was going ahead very satisfactorily, and the gifts of -groceries could be numbered almost in tons. It waß wonderful to see how much was being given by jkhe poorer districts, and it was now desired to extend the collection work into the country districts. Mr Belton said that it was necessary to see that the right people received the goods—not the spongers. That was the work undertaken by the Association. Mr Scarff said that if the farmers decided to rnako any contributions the | committee would seo that they were faithfully applied to -the right people. The chairman said that tho Union could not let people starve through the mistakes of a few citizens. The farmers were quite "up against it," but there were types of produce on farms that would not be missed. ■i Extravagance Condemned. The extravagance of the Christchurch City Council had "16ft a nasty taste in the mouths of the farmers," but he felt quite safe, said Mr Mcintosh, in promising all possible . support to the scheme. Mr .T. E. Cullen said that the Darfield district had given loads of produce to Christchurch both last year and this year. "We know, that families are starving, but when wo give the men cash, can we be sure that the wives and families get the benefit of it," be'asked. lie suggested the handing of a ticket on order on somo firm to the wife. "The farming community ie behind you," said Mr Cullen, "but we must bo assured that the goods are distributed properly." ' Tho chairman: We havo that assurance, Mr Cullen. In reply, Mr Harper said that the committee' was composed of men who were keen on the work and who were exceedingly capable. He thanked the Union for receiving the deputation. After the deputation had withdrawn Mr G, C. Warren said that there seemed to bo considerable duplication in collection. It .would be better if all calls for contributions were handled by one central organisation. , The chairman said that circulars should be sent to all districts asking for contributions and thfe dates upon which they would be delivered. Mr McMillan said that the object was an excellent one, and- an effort should be made to secure the co-opera-tion of tho other farmers' organisations. AT NEW BRIGHTON. MEETING OF COMMITTEE. A meeting of the committee controlling the Pound Scheme in New Brighton waß held iu the Borough Council Chambers on Tuesday evening, the convener, Mr E. L-. Smith, presiding over an attendance of twenty members. The chairman stated that be had in-_ terviewed a representative of the Central Committee in Christchurch, and had arranged for supplies to be sent to the borough in the event of a shortage. It was hoped, however, that this would not be necessary. Some 120 lots of food had been distributed to needy people, in the borough. Altogether 62 canvassers were operating, and only two more were required. Receipts amounted to £G 18s 6d, and expenditure to £1 10s 6d. A letter was received from Major W. E. Furby forwarding details of the organisation of the scheme at North Beach, showing the subdivision of the whole area into sub-areas, and the names of the canvassers. The letter stated that the North Beach troop of Scouts, under Commissioner Furby,, was available to assist canvassers when required. The matter of arranging for transport for members of the Distributing Committee was left in the hands of Mr Smith. It was stated that the Central Brighton, troop of Scouts had offered to lend assistance in collecting and at the Relief Depot. The following were added to the Distributing Committee:—Mrs Campbell (South Brighton), Mrs McGillivray (North Beach), and Major W. E. Furby (North Beach). A method of distribution of goods was decided upon, by which any member of the committee will have the power to authorise an immediate order 'for relief, any subsequent applications for relief from the. same person to be considered by the committee. NORTH SPREYDON. In addition to the goods reported as having been forwarded from North Spreydon on Saturday morning, the sum of £5 6s has been paid into the Central Depot as cash donations. WORKLESS WOMEN. MAYOR'S APPEAL TO CHURCHES. Further reference to the appeal made by the Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) to the Churches for assistance in relieving the distress among unemployed women and girls was made at the opening of the new men's guest-house in Antigua street yesterday. "There are about 100 very urgent cases in the City," stated.Mr Sullivan, who declared the. house, opeii: "These girls, without homes, are entirely dependent on friends. No community can

possibly allow that to continue, •where any steps to alleviate the position can be taken, and I have appealed to the Churches, among others, for help." Bishop West-Watson had kindly agreed to' allow Anglican clergymen in the diocese to take up collections on behalf of his appeal, and a collection made by Bishop Brodie on Sunday had,_ realised £2S. Mr Sullivan assured those present that the .problem was serious, and ono which ho desired very much to solve immediately, for reasons' which were easily understood. A suggestion made to him was that one of the' Churches be approached and asked to'd® something towards founding a. home along the lines of the men's guest-houso, for unemployed women and girls. He intended to keep the proposal in view. The Rev. P. Revell'pointed out that Tuesdays and Fridays were set apart at the St. Martin's House of Help as women's days, during which those who attended could get assistance and privacy. This was not generally known. "Much, as we would like to do it, I am afraid that the Church cannot decide to buy another house and establish a rest-house for these women," remarked Bishop West-Watson. OUTDOOR RELIEF. HOSPITAL BOARD'S DIFFICULTY. The present depressed conditions have resulted in large numbers of distressed persons making application to the North Canterbury Hospital outdoor relief, in consequence of which that body is experiencing great difficulty in meeting the demands. The Benevolent Committee repoAed to yesterday's meeting of the Board that a letter had been sent to the Director General of Health calling attention to the extraordinary demands being made upon the Board's finances a,nd asking whether there was any likelihood of monetary relief being granted to the Board as the year proceeds; as it was impossible ; to cope with the demands for charitable 'tid with the limited means allowed the Board by the Government. The number of applications for benevolent relief dealt with was 1010, representing 3648 persons. There were also nine applications for admission to institutions. Committee's Arduous Work. The chairman (Mr H. J. Otley) said that the Benevolent Committee had recently had an arduous time dealing with cases of distress, and on Friday last had considered 400 applications representing about 1300 persons in all. A good number of the applicants were unemployed men, who were being given occasional work under the No. 5 Scheme, These men were employed for portiou of three weeks out of four and on the off week had to come to the Board for assistance. The applications made a big demand on the Board's resources. There was another matter for consideration—4he limited space avails able in the Board's offices when there was a rush for relief. To remove elsewhere would cause inconvenience to the Board, but in the present circumstances it w ' as necessary to get relief in this respect even to the extent of going elsewhere. So many cases had to be _ dealt with by the Benevolent Committee last week that members were on duty all day on Thursday, and until 12.30 p. m . 0Q Mr H. H. Holland said that if members of the Board doubted the amount

of work done by the Committee they should sit with it for. about an hour. Mr G. Armstrong said'that more work' could be provided by the Unemployment Board if the present levy were raised | from 7s 6d to 10s quarterly. I The report was adopted. WORK FOR MORE MEN. PURPOSE OF PUBLICITY | CAMPAIGN. • "The Labour people should know that this scheme is for their benefit, and not for the benefit of the manufacturers," Said Mr F. L. Hutchinson, at last night's, 'meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Manufacturers' Association, when speaking of the proposal of the Government to assist a publicity campaign so that New Zealand-manufactured . goods should be properly advertise^. Mr Hutchinson, who is also a member t)f the Unemployment Board, said -that he was glad to be able to clear up any misunderstanding that might exist in t regard to the matter. It was erroneous \o think that the £BOO given by the Government to advertise New Zealand ! goods had been done to benefit the manufacturers. It had been given with the idea of providing work for unemployed men who were badly in need of it. The manufacturers joining in . the scheme by providing £4OO in addition to the £Bgo found by the Government. The money, it was hoped, would result in the use of more New Zealand-made goods, and thus provido more employment for factory workers. . _ > INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AIM OF BOARD. (FKES3 ASSOCIATION WLBJB.Ut.i ' | ♦ WELLINGTON, June 24. The development of secondary, industries as a means of removing the. unemployment evil; was urged by "'Air ■ W. E. Leadley at the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association Conference to-day. Last year goods manufactured: m New Zealand were valued at £35,000,000, said Mr Leadley. . If that siim could be -increased by £10,000,000 it would give employment to 15,000 more men.' Having classified the unemployed . and ascertained the number of skilled men, the problem of the Unemployment Board was to get workers back to their vocations. They could not ail be turned into farmers. The, Board had come to tho decision that the best method of putting these men in industry was by an intensive campaign in favour of the New Zealand manufactures. Land Settlement. Under the present schemes, a great deal had been done to. bring land into cultivation. Much useful and reproductive work had been done all over the Dominion at a cost of £050,000, more than the whole of the year s revenue from the Unemployment Levy. It had been suggested that the Board should adopt a comprehensive land settlement scheme, and a five-year plan «~as suggested by Mr Coates. It was an excellent scheme, which would give employment to 4000 men for five years, then leave 4000 extra settlers, but that scheme would have taken all the funds for 4000 men. and it was not adequate with 44,000 unemployed. The Board had done £he next Jaest

tiling in endeavouring to increase production l>y a system ou land already occupied. . » Schemes Commended. ; Mr. Leadley proceeded" .to give .instances of "good work'- ; done ' underSchemes 4A &nd 48. One good thing which would come out of the depres-' sion like a, flower growing out of aaugly stein, was the increasing deSiro-. amonp citizens to serve thi;ir fellow men;on unemployment committers' "V* giving to relief funds, ana in other directions. Such help could-, not; be measured in £ s. d., but was important in. tha life of th& tt&tioiu Special reference' was made r tfe** work of Mr Burdekm, vice-chairman of the Board, whose knowledge « economics-and finance hadJjeen ;of, tnendd\is to the Board,' . - . A resolution was passed pipresHng Appreciation' of tneiwork 1 of "the 'Un-* employment Board, urging the - pi f ®v2®' ion of further finance ,to enable -the. Board to,continue its work, and assist; in land development on a I&rge scale*' :'; ' .