Relief of Distress

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21290, 9 October 1934, Page 10

Relief of Distress

The Mayor's decision to hand over to the Metropolitan Relief Association the fund for the relief of distress now under his direct control is commendable for two reasons. The first is that it will further centralise and co-ordinate voluntary measures for the relief of distress in the Christchurch area. The multiplicity of organisations engaged in relieving distress can be welcomed as an indication of the extent to which the community has been aroused by the economic consequences of the depression. But in the past it has undoubtedly meant inconvenience to the recipients of relief and some duplication of effort. Lately the need for making the best use of the funds available has brought into being simpler and more economical administrative arrangements. The abolition of the Mayor's Fund as a separate entity means that, with a few unimportant exceptions, all voluntary relief , agencies are now part of one system. The second reason why the Mayor's decision is commendable is that it relieves him of a responsibility whicli he might ultimately have 'found embarrassing. The Mayor's contribution to the local effort to relieve distress has earned him the gratitude of all sections of the community; and he has made excellent use of the fund placed under his charge. At the same time, it does not seem desirable that the sole responsibility of disbursing money raised by the public should be attached to an elective office.