RELIEF OF DISTRESS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20498, 17 March 1932, Page 15

RELIEF OF DISTRESS.

Street Appeal To-morrow. deserving and necessitous cases.

The Governor-General's message :~ I trust that the citizens of Christchurch, of 0 classes and according to their ability, will give practical support to the street collection effort next Friday in aid of the Mayor's fund for the relief of distress. It would indeed be a source of pride, and in consonance with the high philanthropic traditions of the City t if this effort in conjunction with the All Nations Fair, which is being promoted with the same object, is instrumental in meeting the abnormal claims during the - , coming winter of all its or e !SOe * inhabitants who are in real need of the necessaries of life as a result of the prevailing economic depression. Let us all, in spite of our own reduced circumstances end in a spirit of heartfelt sympathy with those who in these stressful times are less fortunate than ourselves, do what lies in our power to ** bear one another's burdens " and so fulfil that divine law of brotherly love whose observance §44f so materially to our own truest happiness.

APPEAL BY THE MAYOR. Ob Friday the people of Christcliurch will be given a further opportunity of vMiettiag their reputation as a com~«aity second to none in this Dominion * jp practical ijrmpathy for the poor and r ||f aJßiefed. Just as in the days of "the 4n»t War its citizens rallied to the eti to help ill *ll ways possible tho yvng-fOUliero who were representing ' thaa k tke trenches overseas, so now )t ty» other war against another enemy tiut » destroying the prosperity and baffinest of tboaundi and robbing (tan trm of the accessaries of life they nOy tnm ererv religious and political creed and social class offering thfir mttlccb in fighting the effects of tk fttat depression, providing food. firing, and shelter, for those triwee undeserved poverty has deprived Hum Of these things. Ia pursuit

and now that I feel that this is assured, our next objective is to present so strong a ca|p for your sympathy and practical support, that you will feel it a privilege to give, and give generously. There is no doubt that many ugly tragedies have been prevented through the kindly assistance of many social workers, and it ia no exaggeration when one states that there are some cases where men and women are actually dying for lack of food and proper nourishment. "All of us who are fortunate enough to have an assured income and a job to go to, can at tho least look forward everv day to three good meals, a good bed," and a comfortable home, in many cases a beautiful homo with many comforts and labour-saving device". What of those who are hopeless, despondent, with nothing to look forward to! All honour to them. Many are facing their privations bravely and cheerfully, and when assistance is given they are most grateful.

Distribution of Relief. "Anyone who feels hard-hearted, I would recommend to go and see for himself tho really poor in the hovels they call their homes. Some may be inclined to question whether the money the public is asked to subscribe will bo wisely expended and to the best possible advantage. Now, in the first place I desire to state that the whole proceeds will go to the Mayor's Itfclief pf Distress Fund and a very large percentage of this will, by arrangement, be handed over to the Citizens' Belief Committee of which Mr George Harper is chairman, the remainder being utilised to meet the urgent cases of distress which are constantly being brought under the personal notice of the Mayor and thoso associated with him in' this •work. L.i "In every case full investigation is made by a band of social workers, who visit the homes of tho people and report fully before Telief is given. It was inevitable at first that there would be a certain amount of overlapping in this work, and possibly a few mistakes made, but I am glad to be able to assure you that the activities of the different bodies carrying on this work have now been co-ordinated and the organisation is such that it is now almost impossible for anyone to impose upon those in charge of tho relief depots, and every penny is expended wisely and to the very, best advantage. lam optimistic enough to belicvo that it will jnot long before trade conditions will improve, but we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that this next winter will be the haiJcst in our history. An Urgent Appeal. "I appeal to you, therefore, on Friday next to think of those poor unfortunato men, women, and littlo children who, through no fault of their own, aro dependent upon us for tho bare necessities of life to keep body and soul together. It is the suffering wives and littlo children that make so strong an appeal to tho heart, and I am sure I am not asking in vain when I urgo you to give generously' on street day. There has never in the past beon a street appeal more deserving of your sympathy and support, and for this reason I have nc- hesitation in asking the citizens of Christchurch to boat all records. In some quarters I believe I am considered as being over eonfldent regarding the success of street day. I say to-day that I am moro confident than ever, for wo shall have the number of helpers we require, and I feel certain we have tho public behind ns. Tho public will show that my confidence is justified. "May I suggest that all those who contemplate giving 6d or Is for their badge on street day make it Is or 2s, or whatever more they can afford. The extra means little to you, but it means a double collection and a greater measure of cheer and comfort to those in poverty and distress. If this means a sacrifice to you, you will be well repaid by the real joy of giving.

j&m campaign, a street collection Wtl. taken up on Friday, and a splenJM tarf of sclf-sacrificing pcoplo to Hptawber of five hundred -will bo on Wslwete throughout the day with jWr collecting-boxes receiving the WfM tbote who, actuated by high principles, will give to relieve doing unto others as they ■MMkdone by. Every penny given HW vilely spent in the most helpful fjjffjjl tke wish of the noble men and .HP* who have organised tho collecaHtbst this will bo a record collecHK4ttw to be long remembered in the |H|tt>tory of the City. I join with HftSt making this appeal to the citi■P'*f my native City, and I am conthat the high faith of tho pro-spttt-wU) not be disappointed.

f ggBAVE NEED.

appeal. £ BBCORD number of |J COLLECTORS. BLlNfeiit appeal for the public's ■P?* Of the itrect appeal to-morrow HStof «£ the Mayor's Distress Fund BBjpfa yesterday by Mr Stanley chairman of the commithas organised the Appeal, ■fif.lfcaaking those who had already IK thenwelves as collectors, Mr HMW Appealed for others to man HPMt] particularly between the HHl'll a.m. and I p.m., und 1 p.m. Be said that it had been iniHMtft notify each collector of Ilis that this notification would mjlllft when the collector called at HHHtftra at the City Council Chumof the Street Appeal I feel that I have a very |HHPPtoulbility to see that not a HR-wt unturned to make this Hnß*Oßtinucd Mr J'umeson. "The my committeo has been to HHH| band of collectors together

Large Amounts Asked. "Those who can possibly spare a 10s or £1 note will yever regret having e'ven it; to those who can write a cheque for larger amounts (even though it mpans increasing the overdraft a bit), I would say 'Write out ••our cheque now and send it to the troasurer of the Mayor's Relief of Distress Fund ' and vou will go to bed with the haopy sensation of having done a good defd and done it well Particularly do I appeal to all those ik the outskirts or the country, who are not reached by the street collectors, to forward to the t-cisurer anything tbey can afford. Lastly I appeal to those generous, public-spirited citizens who aro always jnving liberally to assist good causes. Once again will you head the jubsmption list and send your cheques for £oo, £loos or whatever sum jou feel you can spare V