NEGLECT OF THE NEEDY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20625, 25 July 1930, Page 14

NEGLECT OF THE NEEDY.

UNEMPLOYMENT DISTRESS. "POOR HELPING THE POOR." "I do not like to have to say it, but there arc some stony-hearted peoplo in the community who think little of those who are not so fortunate as themselves," observed Mr. W. K. Howitt, chairman of the Relief Committee of the Auckland Hospital Board, after listening to a phenomenally-large number of applications for assistance that camo before the committee at its meeting yesterday. Out of 280 cases dealt with, 160 arose directly out of unemployment. Considerable alarm was expressed at tho abnormal amount of distress in the community and tho increasing burden it imposed on tho funds of the board. At this timo last year the amount of distress was at least £0 per cent. less.

The Rev. W. C. Wood described the situation as desperate. Mr. G. T. Parvin, of Ptikekohe, said tho distress was reaching out to the country areas and even tho Maoris, who were good workmen, were feeling the pinch with tho pakolms.

Mrs. E. A. Kidd said that ordinary people earning standard wages did not realise what some women and children wero up against in their struggle to tide over the winter months. "We see an enormous amount of distress these bitterly cold nights, which many fine people are compelled t.o suffer through lack of work." was tho comment of the chairman. Many well-to-do people, he said, were not helping as they should by providing work for those who were looking for it. In this time of crisis the poor were helping the pom and it was a very fine trait among the pooier people thai those least able to afford it were sacrificing themselves to help those in less fortunate citeunist.mces.

Mr. llowitt paid a tribute to the office staff, which, he said, in spite of tho fact that its duties taxed it to the utmost, was carrying out its work in a very efficient manner.