RED CROSS ACTIVITY

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 46, 22 August 1930, Page 4

RED CROSS ACTIVITY

-UNEMPLOYMENT "BELIEF

The Bed Cross. Unemployment Relief Committee met this week, the Rev. E. Inglis occupying the chair. Twenty-six new cases were dealt with, many being of a very distressing nature, involving, women and; children. One case in particular, thai'Of a'*family from Home, waa^egarded^aftet jnyestigation, as meriting special -assistance';. The father had suffered a complete breakdown in health, and the mother was making a valiant effort to shoulder the burden. Arrangements had been made' for the return of the family to their relatives in England. The home had been visited, and it was .found that each member of the family was sadly in need o£ boots and clothing. Orders were given to replenish those necessities. .

Another case was that of a man with a wife aud three children. As the result of unemployment, everything which would keep- .JtliPi. home together and feed the children.. had been pledged. After thorough investigation arrangements were made for the redemption of the pledged goods. A position was found for the man, and blankets were supplied.

Of the cases dealt with, all but two received assistance in the form of boots and clothing. ' A riumber of people had matfe: available light work of a temporary nature, to which men had been immediately- sent. A position had been found as a domestic for a woman who had been unemployed. for : gome time. The Ladies' Red Cross Auxiliary during the past few weeks have had a very busy time, having dealt with over 100 cases each week. In each instance where assistance was considered merited, it had been given. In'its work, the society endeavours to. do its utmost on behalf of those who, through sickness or physical handicap, aye out-of employment, especially when a wife and young children are involved. Any cases of fit, able-bodied men are thoroughly investigated before aid is-'given. ; . «>' One case of misplaced assistance was .that of a man who ■ wantedL his fare to the country. Thinking to help him, the society undertook to defray expense. An order on the railway booking office was given, and the ticket obtained. Subsequently, information was received from tho' railway • station to the effect that the man had presented the ticket and wanted the; money. Instruction was given the booking clerk to confiscate the ticket. However, the owner" would1 not part with possession, ahd went away. Tickets issued on behalf of the "society are marked and recognisable at railway booking offices, and, by arrangement, cannot be con: verted into cash. Not to be'baulked, this particular-man, noticing the mark on the back of the ticket, erased it, and arranged with a friend on crutches to present the ticket again at the office with a demand for cash. On this occasion the ticket was confiscated and returned to the society. The booking clerk stated that he had stopped a tornado of abuse from tee man on crutches in consequence of his action.