DISTRESS IN AUCKLAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 18 June 1931, Page 8

DISTRESS IN AUCKLAND

PLIGHT OF THE NEW POOR

BRAVE SPIRIT SHOWN BURDENED SOCIAL WORKERS HELP OF MEDICAL MEN ‘T have never known in all my experience a time when social workers have been so hard pressed, and when the giving of relief have been such a tax on us.’’ So said a tired social worker, pausing for a little away from the unending stream of needy humanity which Hows about her doors (records the Auckland "Herald"). The same testimony was home by several others whose life’s work it is to listen to tales of tlistress, and to heal as far as may lie deep wounds of body and of mind. Of course there, have always been in the community those who for one reason or another cannot stand alone hut must, lean on the help of others; hut added to these to-day is an entirely new type requiring care. These are the new poor, the victims ot retrenchment, of business failure, or of tlie general unemployment and depression through which the whole world is now passing. These have been entire strangers to social workers in the past except where, as in, many cases, they have generously assisted others through them. Now they are driven by stern necessity to accept for themselves such aid as they were cheerfully giving a short time ago; and their cases are among the most distressing that come under review.

NO TWO CASES ALIKE The independent sensitiveness and selfrespect of the new poor make it difficult to learn of their needs and to approach them, but social workers regard any help given them as peculiarly worth while. They are exceedingly grateful for anything done for them and most eager to accept any opportunities of helping themselves. Their friends know that as long as they keep their bravo self-reliant outlook it is only a matter of time till they will win through to assured independence again. Such cases generally are made known not directly, hut through a message from some friend or neighbour who has had a glimpse behind the scenes, and knows the struggle which is going on. A tactful visit follows from an agent of some relief organisation, who knows how to avoid intruding in private affairs, and some fitting means of giving assistance is devised. Social workers say that no two cases are alike, and each one has its own peculiar pathos. In. these days it happens not infrequently that tbs breadwinner : who has had a modest business of his own for years has had it fail completely and he has been left without resources. Or after long years of service with a well-established firm he has found himself among those marked for retrenchment.

Often the position is aggravated by the lime-payment system of purchasing bouse or furniture. Payments which in the past could only be kept up by systematic saving cannot now be met at all, and the whole purchase, is at stake. In fairness, however, to the dealers it must be said that it is the rule to extend every leniency and consideration to those who find it difficult to meet their obligations, and that it is only very rarely that the step is taken of reclaiming the property.

COURAGE OF DISTRESSED MOTHERS

The privation in many once-eomfort-able homes is increased because the boys and girls who in the ordinary way would have been earning something at least toward their own support are not able to find occupations. Often these people have had to leave the comfortable home to which they had been accustomed, and find a much cheaper and less desirable place. It is then that the skill and the courage of the mother shine out as she sets about “making a. home out of a few sticks,” as one worker phrased if. “I do not find these people downhearted and sitting down crying,” she said. “They have the spirit to stand up. They say cheerily, ‘We will come through.’ Dozens of them say, ‘We are all learning lessons out of this.’

“That parcel there, for instance, is going to a home where they are fighting against great odds. The husband has been retrenched and there are seven children. But there is nothing that woman cannot make ujj into nice clothing. And there are more like her. Their homes are so clean. It is a pleasure to go into them.”

Hie wonderful way in which poor people help one another and share what little they have was emphasised by another social worker of experience. Many people keep on hoping and hoping that something will turn up, and it is not till the very last moment that they will consent to accept help. A typically fine spirit was shown the other day by a little girl who pleaded for a singlet for her little brother. It was soon discovered that her own underclothing was far too scanty, but the gift of a warm garment for herself did not for a moment satisfy her or distract her from her persistent plea for her brother.

CASES OF HARDSHIP INSTANCED

“You could write books about these cases, and it would not be believed that there was such need in the community,” said one social worker. “The other day a man who had long been out of work secured a job on a boat, to the great rejoicing of the family, but he had been only a few days' at sea when lie became ill and is now lying in a Southern hospital.

“A labourer with three children and an ailing wife moved in from the country under the false impression that things would be better in the city. Until help came the mother and children were sharing two single beds, while the father slept on the floor without a mattress. In a nice refined home it was learned the other day that the family had had neither meat nor vegetables for a fortnight.

ORGANISED SERVICES FOR. AID Each of flic main social service organisations lias its own system and special methods, but in. general outline their work has much in common. The mornings for the most part are devoted to interviewing applicants for relief or advice, and up to 100 a day are commonly dealt with by individual organisations. Relief in the shape of food and clothing or orders is distributed on the spot to those the genuineness of whose claims is already known to the staft. Afternoons are largely devoted to rounds of visits to the sick and needy and inquiry into new cases which have been brought forward. The charitable organisations of the different churches work not only in happy harmony with each other, but also in practical co-

operation with the relief department of the Hospital Board, whose work they seek to supplement. Long queues are a daily occurrence at every relief depot, and in "these times the day of the social worker commonly extends from 8 a.m. till 10 p.m. The splendid service being given by the'medical men of the city to the poor in this time of distress is little heard of, but is deserving of the highest admiration. Unreservedlv they place their services at the disposal of the social workers without thought of remuneration, in a way which is keenly appreciated by those who have to appeal to them.