RELIEF OF DISTRESS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 148, 8 June 1936, Page 6

RELIEF OF DISTRESS

Caring for the Sick Poor

NEED NOT LESSENED

The unemployment figures in Hastings are higher now than they were a year ago and there is more sickness among the dependents of relief workers than there has been for somo years. These facts were elicited this morning after inquiries at tho Social Welfare Department, tho Mayor’s Central Relict Fluid depot, and tho local employment officer.

Mr. W. Brinsley, who has charge of the Social Welfare Department at tho Hastings Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, said that the abstract for April and May showed noticeable increases in tbo cost of making provision for the sick poor. He regarded these figures as eloquent of the effects of inadequate diet over a period of years. In former years the costs to his department generally declined from October till the end of tho summer period. This year there had been a perceptible lag in the decline. In other words tbeiO were mole sick dependants oi reliei workers who needed care.

Ther were many relief workers themselves win were suffering the effects of u lowered standard of living, said Mr. Brinsley, ai_d in the past few mouths a great number had received hospital treatment. While they were in hospital or receiving outpatient treatment their families had to bo cared for and the rent paid. Mr. T. Pickett, secretary of the Mayor's Central Relief Fund, said that this year his organisation had received a great many demands for clothing and assistance, though for some weeks the average relief worker had received a little more money. “Apparently they have not had as much work lately as they had last year,,” he said. He cited the case of a married man with no children. Provided the man were working he received 38/6 a week under the new scale. Ninety-nine per cent, of those who camo within this category paid £1 a week rent. About 200 yerc placed on sustenance in iho past fortnight. They then were given £1 9/- a week. They had to pay tho same rent (£1 a week) which meant that they hud only nine shillings on which to lire. Latterly tho demands for relief had been as great as they were a year ago, lor the reasons mentioned.

Mr. M. Dane. Employment Officer, said that the unemployment figures in Hastings this year showed an increase over those recorded in the (i*.st few months of 1935.

These fuels constitute an appeal to everyone who can help in any way to relieve distress in Hastings to communicate with tho Mayor’s Central Relief Fund depot, so that the unfortunate victims of unemployment may bo given the assistance they greatly need.