HELPING DISCHARGED PRISONERS

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 56, 29 November 1929, Page 13

HELPING DISCHARGED PRISONERS

AID SOCIETY’S ANNUAL MEETING The Discharged Prisoners’ Aid Society held its annua! meeting yesterday afternoon. Mr. W. G. Riddell presiding. “With an improved income, the society has been able to materially increase its assistance to discharged prisoners, even though unemployment has been more acute than for many years.” the annual report stated. After having paid out a sum three times greater than that disbursed six years ago. a healthy state of finances still existed. During the year 450 persons had been assisted.'B39 beds supplied. 12-15 meals provided. 120 helped with clothes, boots and tools. 71 with fares. 30 found employment, and 2b families assisted. Impositions had been very rare, and in many cases the timely help had enabled a man to take fresh heart, and with the advent of work, leave a bad past well behind him. Finding Employment. Efforts had been made to find employment for discharged prisoners. In this connection very valuable help had been afforded by the Government Labour Bureau, [luring rhe last few months the policy of Ihe Government, too. had been to solve the unemployment problem by providing work in the country. Unfortunately. many of these men. several of whom the society assists, had drifted baek t<> Ihe city, becoming a renewed burden on its various charities. It was therefore evident that the opportunity to work could not always meet the problem of the outcast, but it certainly minimised the evil. A very radical change in the individual was needed, and where the outlook on life was properly adjusted, and Ihe subject acquired a relish for work, there would bo a much-increased hope. It had been found that the temporary help which the society afforded successfully bridged over a hungry period with its very sore temptations, and it could be safely said that a wave of prosperity would be sure to favourably affect the criminal statistics. Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted :—President. Sir Robert Stout: vice-president. Mr. W. G. Riddell: secretary ami treasurer. Mr. T I‘. Mills: committee, Messrs. E. i’agc, S.M.. A. Longmore. and 1. Salek; auditor, Mr. F. W. Hart.