WINTER NEEDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 118, 22 May 1939, Page 10

WINTER NEEDS

DISTRESS IN CITY

WORK OF SMITH FAMILY

FUNDS REQUIRED

Concern at the possibility of increased calls for assistance being made during the winter months ■now that funds had been depleted because of the changed outlook of the general public was expressed by members of the Smith Family at the annual meeting of that organisation. There was a general impression abroad that most of the cases formerly assisted by the Smith Family were now a charge on the Social Security Fund, it was stated, but even where cases could be transferred to the fund there was an unavoidable lag during which some provision had to be made.

There had been a considerable falling off in donations to the Family, the secretary reported. That was largely due to the fairly general impression that most of the cases formerly assisted by the Family were now provided for by the Social Security Department. It was a fallacy to think that the Social Security Fund was available' for the alleviation of all forms of distress, and funds were required by the Family to meet the fairly constant calls made by deserving cases. EFFECT OF RESTRICTIONS. Concern must be felt by all interested in the work of the Family at the increasing number of workers being put off because of the restrictions on imports, one director said. The commercial community considered that the restrictions would lead to widespread unemployment in the near future. During the last depression the working man was hit the hardest, but today the small business man was the spearpoint of the depression that appeared inevitable in New Zealand. Many firms had put off travellers because they could not import the goods for them to sell, and many small concerns were almost certain to be forced out of business within a few months. It should be remembered by the Smith Family, and by members of the general public, that the individuals now threatened with distress were the citizens who had done much to relieve distress during recent years. It should be the main object of the Smith Family to help them, but it could not do so without public support. Another director said that it would be practically impossible to absorb all the men who were being put off in the business community. Many of them were well advanced in life, and as their whole life had been spent in commerce their chances elsewhere were small. Some had been able to make provision for their old age. but many had lost their reserves in the depression years. The loss of their livelihood now would finish them. A TIME LAG. Even where assistance was provided by the Social Security Department, said another speaker, the organisation of such a large Department brought about an inevitable "time lag" between the loss of income and the granting of assistance. Some organisation must bridge the gap and while it might be argued that the Smith Family should not be called upon to provide funds to help those who were legally a charge on the general taxpayer, something would have to be done. The Government wanted the Smith Family to remain in existence, the j chairman said in reply to a question, j There was ample evidence that the work of the Family was appreciated I by the Government. He had been told by one Minister that the Family was absolutely essential. The Government could not be expected to do everything and the Family's task was "to take up the slack" by supplementing the aid given under social legislation. ACTIVITIES OF FAMILY. Outlining the activities of the Family at the present time, the secretary said these came under nine main headings. Mothers requiring a period of recuperation, who were more numerous than formerly, were sent away for a holiday in the country or with friends; sick pay under the Social Security Act was supplemented in the case of married men with families by orders for food or clothing, the aim being to provide sufficient to keep j every member of the family in good health; special diet ordered by a medical practitioner was supplied in cases where the family income would not permit of its • purchase; nurse-house-I keepers were found to help where the mother was sick and unable to em: plo3 r help; footwear and clothing were supplied to pensioners who had j to pay a large part of the pension for rent and food; furniture had been supplied to widows to enable them to make a living by taking in boarders; the 25s allowed to convalescents under the Social Security Act was supplemented in deserving cases; persons awaiting Social Security benefits were helped over the period without income; and arrangements were made for medical and dental treatment in certain cases. CASES INVESTIGATED. Before any assistance was granted a full investigation of the circumstances of the case had to be made, the chairman said. Where the appiicants had a right to apply elsewhere, | as to the Social Security Department, the Returned Soldiers' Association, the War Relief Association, or similar organisation, they were directed to do so. When it was proved that the relief granted was insufficient, or in cases where relief was unobtainable, then the Smith Family stepped in and gave help. The majority of the cases where the Family had to act were dealt with in conjunction with the Mayor's Metropolitan Relief Committee, with which the Family worked in close co-operation.

It was agreed that the directors of the Family should hold a special meeting at an early date to formulate for raising funds. Members were all of the opinion that demands for assistance would increase as the winter progressed.