STILL URGENT

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 130, 29 November 1932, Page 8

STILL URGENT

RELIEF OF DISTRESS

POSITION IN LOWER HUTT

MAYOR QUOTES CASES

"I have never felt so helpless as I have done during the past month," declared Mr. W. T. Strand, Mayor of Lower.Hutt, in discussing the question of relief of distress at last night's meeting of the Lower Hutt Borough Council. , Mr. Strand quoted several cases of acute distress in the borough, and said that the need for further assistance was still urgent.

• The Finance Committee having recommended and the council having agreed to vote £100 from the "unauthorised expenditure" fund to the Mayor's Belief Committee, Mr. Strand said that until a few weeks ago he had hoped to go through the financial year without having to draw for the purpose of relieving distress. In the past eight months hundreds of pounds had been contributed by citizens of tho borough to augment the relief which had been provided by the taxpayers of the Dominion. '

"Unfortunately when, as last year, we expected to have a little less call on our resources, the Unemployment Board has had to reduce the help given during the winter months, and this has thrown a greater weight upon the Relief . ■ Committee," said Mr. Strand "I do not wish to blame anyone having the responsibility of administering the funds of the board.' They can only give" out what • they receive, and- the contributing parties to the taxation fund are finding it harder and still harder to meet the demands already being made. On.the. other hand, I do not wish to say unkind things about some; of those who are pressing for more help, because I am-quite .satisfied that some-of them require it.. ( , . . EFFECT OF LATEST REDUCTION. ' The marvel to me is how many of • our fellow-citizens continue to live on- . what "they'^reeeive by way'of help. The latest reduction, .although small, has in. many case* made the difference between, being able to continue or give-up hope. ■ . . "With .the exception of Mr. Williams, whor has, and is, doing such wonderful work ■in administering relief, I my-self-probably see more of the.hard and sordid. side than anyone else in the borough. I have never felt so helpless '. as;l. have done during the past month. I cannot make food, nor can I find moneys for rent. I am doing all in my power, but that all is, I must confess, not' sufficient to meet the bare requirements of bur fellow-men. May I give you just a case or two typical of so many? "(1) A father-widower with a child "under seven years, delicate, and requiring special food and nourishment, was" receiving two and a half: days per -week at 255, and is now receiving 20s. ■To provide for child costs- 10s per week; he pays 5s per week for shelter, leaving 5s to feed and clothe himself and child. ■'"(2) A family consisting of mother, father, and four daughters (all but one over sixteen years of age). The father is. rated as; a married man with one child, receives 30s per week, pays, and has paid '25s per week for rent. Two girls as well as the youngest are out of employment.. The eldest, who was earning a little and contributing all to maintain home, is now in hospital seriously ill.' Father has equal to four' women to feed and clothe, in addition to paying rent and keeping himself, ' with .30s.per > week. All the time we w!ere able to get this worker, an extra, day per week with the assistance re-, ceived from the child who is now sick, they struggled on. Now that-the extra ■ day .has been cut off, what hopo is .'.there? .."/■' ' . ' ' <r(3). A~ man who by hard work and 'thrift endeavoured to provide a home for; his 'advanced years, putting his /life's savings as deposit, and for years ] living most frugally, is' now giving up 'and losing everything except his liability'and family. • "I could go on for an hour. Theso are typical only. I freely admit that some are imposing, and that some thoughtlessly abuse those who are ■ spending their time and energy to help, but the. great majority are grateful and are endeavouring to jgake ends meet and even help others. DUTY TO PEED, CLOTHE, AND ' SHELTER. "Gentlemen, with such an over-abun-dance of food in this Dominion, and ■the producers receiving so little for it, is it not our duty to see that men, women, and children-are fed, clothed, '. find sheltered? ;I cannot separate these three, nor. - say which is of most importance./ I think they rank equal. ■' . "You may think I am looking at vthe gloomy side. It is possible that I may be-depressed, but to me the fact stands out painfully plain, that,: aa men having responsibilities it is our duty to see that these three essentials are made available to those \vho are prepared to give in return for them labour to the best of their ability. "I intend to make one more appeal to those who may yet be able to help ■ to' maintain those whj are in urgent i need, and trust that the measure of relief and assistance given in the past -may be maintained.''; - -;...• : NEED. STILL AS GREAT AS EVER. In answer to a question, the Mayor said that the Unemployment Board- had hoped, that the need, for relief would . have lessened in the summer, but unfortunately strikes were holding up seasonable work, and the need was as . gr.eat as during tho winter.

PAY WITHOUT WORK

The Unemployment Board advised the Lower Hutt Borough Council last night that the unemployed on relief works would-be paid for the period between 31st December and 7th January without Svork:

The council decided to arrange to make two payments to the men during this period, men who might be leaving the district to be paid in a lump sum.