POSITION IN WELLINGTON

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 139, 16 June 1930, Page 10

POSITION IN WELLINGTON

The chairman of the Social Welfare Committee of the Wellington Hospital Board (Mr. G. Petherick) stated to-day that there had lately been a marked increase in the number of applications for relief. The majority of the eases, probably 65 per cent., were due to unemployment. At this time of the year sickness was always a factor. There were, in addition, about the unusual number of desertion and separation cases. A striking feature of the applicants was tlio fine type of men who were amongst those seeking assistance. Carpenters, painters, and paperhangcrs were most numerous amongst tho tradesmen, and, as was common at this season, there were a number of ordinary labourers applying for help. Last Monday tlio committee dealt with Cl cases of married men with families, and on Tuesday 133 cases, mixed classes, were assisted, unemployment being the principal reason given for the applications. There were fewer calls from single men than usual. The orders given for beds and meals did not reach the average. Mr. Petherick thought this was probably due to the fact that the Salvation Army had been providing bed and breakfast for deserving applicants. The Ohiro Home is at present full, and there is a small waiting list. Mr. Petherick said he was hopeful, but doubtful, whether the committee would be able to get through the year within the estimate of expenditure made at a recent meeting >o* the b.oa«L