SUCCESSFUL SYSTEM

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 82, 3 October 1931, Page 13

SUCCESSFUL SYSTEM

PAYMENT FOR RELIEF

LOWER HUTT METHOD

The executive of the Lower Hutt Relief Committee metthis week to take stock of its various activities since it commenced to function. The Mayor, Mr. W. T. Strand, .occupied the chair. , One of the principal features, of the committee's system is that it endeavours to secure a small payment for everything it issues in the way of clotlurtg, .food, and fuel Every case needing assistance is carefully investigated, and whore no payment can be made help is freely # given. The work of the organisation is divided among a number of committees, among ■which is a cowing bee, which does excellent work among the women and children. A unique feature^ is the Industrial Couiraittee, which organises members or tne unemployed in the making of useful household articleis, the sale of which, adds to the funds of the General Committee. (The policy of the sale of goods as against free distribution has in most cases been highly appreciated, as the recipients feel a greater sense of independence when tney have made a payment for the help received. The policy, too, has enabled the committee to render far wider service than it could.have done had it made a free distribution. ■' - . , , Up to last Saturday the committee had expended £1118 on the purchase of goods, and had received £593 back from those who had been helped, leaving the committee to flnd only £525, or less than half. The committee has expended the iouowing amounts, the figures in parentheses being the amount received in payment:— Meat, £254 5s lid (£213 Is 6d); potatoes, £184 11s 6d (£76 7s 6d); fuel, £345 (£158): boots and boot repairs, iloO (£88). ' . The cost of the material for the sewing bee was £42, no payment being asked i'or the clothing made. The gewing guild has supplied free (350 garments (mostly new), and three babies trousseaux, and has found employment for 30 domestics and charwomen. The guild has on its list 12 charwomen, who are provided with several half-days per week. Meat is done up in 41b and 81b packages, and sold at 6d and Is respectively; and 34,1001b o£ meat has been sold. Other quantities sold were:— 7O4cwt of potatoes, at the rate of 281b for 6d; 2900 bags of coal, and 480 bags of wood; 209 pairs of boots (150 pairs of working boots and 149 pairs of women's and children's); and 187 pairs repaired; 52 working* shirts, and 25 pairs of working trousers have been sold. The headquarters of the oxeciitive is adjacent to the Council Chambers, and the executive will highly appreciate gifts either in money or in kind. The need is very great. At the present time £200 is needed to btilanco accounts up to last Saturday. A' large number of people have responded to the appeal of the Mayor to subscribe 2s 6d a week, and this easy method of assisting might well be adopted by others. Mr. A. J. Gearing, at the Hutt River Board office, will be gjad to hear of any who desire to adopt this scheme. Another method of help is the donation of orders on grocery firms for goods to given amounts. One lady has adopted a method df her own, which is worthy of being copied. Each week she visits the residents of her own street and collects from them small packages of groceries, such as 21b of oatmeul or flour, lib raisins, etc., and in the aggregate these are of considerable assistance to the committee. The committee thanks all who have ioedered assistance.