RELIEF AND SOCIAL WORK

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 131, 1 December 1930, Page 8

RELIEF AND SOCIAL WORK

(To the Editor.) Sir, —New Zealand is now passing through a time when almost every business man feels the stress and strain of the unexampled conditions of things, and there is a wholesale examination of those matters which affect employment and the overhead expenses which are pressing so heavily at the present. Items of expenditure which passed without a word some few years ago must now be considered, and it is probable. that in the future all v.ill benefit because of what is now happening. May I suggest that there should be a coming together of all those' who are interested in social work. It is certain that in several cases two sets of well-meaning persons are doing the same work, and that much of the help which is now given is open to questions being asked regarding the real need for the assistance. There is not one business firm which has not to respond to many calls for help every month during.every year, and often the question comes before one as to the real need for thp appeal. That there is poverty—that there is distress — that all should help goes without question, but I am positive that there are appeals which overlap one another, and some for which there is no justification. There is a class of man in constant employment, and yet appeals to provide special Sunday teas for such men are made. Is it necessary? Ik such an appeal just when we are faced with so much real poverty? Unless I am mistaken it was the Commercial Travellers' Association which found that the utmost vigilance was required to avoid waste and to ensure that money collected by it was used to good purpose. I have not a shadow of doubt but what a round-table conference would disclose that hundreds of pounds are now collected for quite unnecessary purposes, and that many more of the deserving poor could be assisted i£ the claims which are made on business men. were overhauled and those which are unwise were cut out. May I suggest that now is the time for such an examination, and that the various business men should carefully consider every claim which is made upon them, so that none of our just claims may be passed because unreqiiired ones have taken what else we could have given.—l am, etc., BUSINESS.