OUTDOOR RELIEF

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 69, 14 December 1935, Page 10

OUTDOOR RELIEF

A Christmas Bonus Of £20,000 CABINET’S DECISION Co-operation of Local Bodies Sought A grant of £29.000 as a Christmas bonus for the recipients of outdoor relief from hospital and charitable aid boards has been made by the Government. This decision was reached by Cabinet yesterday afternoon. The Prime Minister. Hon. M. .1. Savage, said that the Government, in making this sum available for those in need of outdoor relief, hoped it would receive the full co-operation of all the local bodies concerned throughout the Dominion. Value of the Gift. Definite information as to the number of distressed persons who are likely to share in the Christmas outdoor relief bonus was not available in official circles last night. One Minister who has always taken a keen and active interest in the welfare of recipients of outdoor relief from hospital and charitable aid boards, expressed the opinion that the total throughout the Dominion just now would not exceed 10,000, and probably would prove to be considerably less. Ou that estimate it would seem that recipients of the projected bonus will receive at least £2 each lor Christmas cheer. Members of the Ministry and State officials have expressed a confident hope that the various hospital and charitable aid boards will co-operate thoroughly with the Government with a view to avoiding, as far as possible, anomalies in distribution and omissions of deserving people. It is anticipated that, under a system of ready co-operation, the local authorities will be in a position to supply a list of eligible recipients in each district. In. view of the shortness of time before Christinas, it is pointed out that co-operation is essential.