GREATEST PROBLEM

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 110, 11 May 1934, Page 8

GREATEST PROBLEM

WORK FOR YOUNG MEN

SHELTER AND OTHER AID

CITY MISSION EEPOET

"These are difficult days for the young," states the report to be presented at the annual meeting of the City Mission tonight. "All the young men for whom we seek are without means, and we live in days which do not offer much in the way of prospects. For this reason all that can be done should be done to keep up the morale of those who are entering on the serious responsibilities of life. This purpose lies behind our various activities. We attempt to meet the needs of the young spiritually, morally, mentally, and materially. In some cases the results are satisfactory, but of course we have our percentage of failures." The boys' club had had a good year, and had done well in both indoor and outdoor games, states the report The senior members gave good service at the fair m the Town Hall on the doors. The influence of the" club on the lives of its members could not be oxaeeerated. " ss MEN'S SHELTER. "The shelter exists to find a meal and a bed for the deserving man who is for the time being stranded," the report continues. "Wo bought a property nearly three years ago at a time when many men were sleeping out and the Unemployment Board had not come into existence. We started with a debt of £8750 on the property. This debt still remains, and we pay interest at over 5 per cent, per annum on this sum. We have replaced £4375 of the principal debt with debentures of £50 each repayable in five years. At the time we bought the property the Charitable Aid Board were paying 2s 3d per man per day, and during the first year we were " open £1800 was received from this quarter. The establishment of the Unemployment Board has put an end to this source of revenue and nothing has replaced it. At the time of writing we have over 100 men in the shelter.

"For the year ending March 31, 1934, wo gave away 136,979 meals and 72,458 beds, figures which make us shudder. Tho men who cannot pay can be divided into two classes: "(1) The man who comes from somewhere outside Wellington, he has come to Wellington, in search of work. He lands here penniless. If he is a decent fellow we see no alternative but to stand by him till the UnemploymentBoard take over tho burden. Our policy is to discourage men from moving about the country, but we do feel it is impossible to refuse decent men the shelter for at least a week. PLIGHT OF YOUNG MEN. "(2) There are the lads from 17 to 19 who drift in. Headers will realise that these lads are difficult to refuse shelter and food. But all this means money, and during tho past year we have had a desperate fight to keep afloat. When we were in a bad plight Airs. Knox Gilmer and Mrs. AY. E. Herbert came to our aid and organised and ran a Coster Ball which was more successful than we ever anticipated. The success of the ball saved the situation for us, and we cannot adequately express our indebtedness to the promoters. Our difficulties are increased by the fact that many of the men come to us are in arrears with the' payment of the unemployment levy, and are without clothes save those they stand up in. The attempt to provide boots, suits, shirts, and socks is a nightmare. At tho moment of \yriting we are again in financial difficulties, and we are making frantic attempts to reduce the number of frco meals. We are assured that the shelter meets a real need, and wo leave it to our readers to help us to carry on."

"Concerning this subject, a subject which has become a perennial, early in the year we were faced with over 100 boys looking for work. Most of these were placed successfully, and others got farm jobs through the agency of the V.M.C.A. As we write a new army of unemployed boys has arisen, and we arc aga-in busy seeking avenues of employment. We believe that the land is the primary avenue for employment but civilisation has produced the lad who is obviously unfit for the land, and as things are it is a problem what to do with him. Our labour bureau is open all the year round, and even in these days we • successfully place men and boys. Wouldbe employers would assist quite a lot if they will remember us when they want a good, reliable employee. Our school, Sea Scout troop, and boys' club are avenues through which we attempt to keep up the morale of the unemployed boys. POOR RELIEF. "For the past fifteen years we have done what we could to meet the needs of married people and others who are hard up against it. AVith the undertaking of the men's shelter and the financial responsibility involved we find it increasingly difficult to give outside relief to all. During the past year several friends sent us coal, the total weight coming to seven tons, which we carefully distributed. The initiation of the Goliath pound scheme also brings in a few groceries every week, which we distribute, and we have helped a little with clothes. • Try as we may we cannot altogether avoid assistance, which means cash expended by us. . There are train fares, unemployment levies, payments of overdue instalments, the removal of families from one- place to another, and all' sorts of other odd things on which we spent £361 in cash during the past year. In addition to what is received in donations, coal and groceries are purchased and distributed. We refused case after case, not because we wished.to or because the applicant was undeserving but because we had not the funds. So much for what we are trying to do, let us turn to matters of internal concern."