FOOD FOR THE POOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20922, 11 July 1931, Page 12

FOOD FOR THE POOR.

AID FROM THE FARMERS.

MEAT AND PRODUCE ARRIVE. RELIEF FROM RAIL FREIGHTS. The farmers of the Auckland Province have responded nobly io the appeal made by the Auckland provincial branch of the Farmers' Union to supply the city with f1 co incut and produce for distribution to distressed families. The first consignment, consisting of two carcases of beef, seven carcases of mutton and three and a-half tons of vegetables, all of excellent quality, has arrived in the city and has been donated in equal parts to five charitable organisations, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Auckland City Mission, the Presbyterian Social Service, the Salvation Army and the Methodist. City Mission.

These welcome supplies were sent to Auckland by the Farmers' Union and people of Springdale, and were transported to the city in a motor-truck, free of charge, by Mr. W. S. Goodman, of Springdale. They were deli%red to the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company's works at Southdown, from which the meat was despatched to R. and W. Hellaby s premises in Quay Street for cutting up, and the produce to the depot of the Auckland Social Workers' Association in Airndale Street.

Considerable progress has been made in overcoming tho difficulty of paying rail freight, for transporting the supplies to Auckland. The Railway Department is allowing foodstuffs consigned to the social workers' organisations to bo carried at half the usual rates, and the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, Minislor of Health, has promised to seek tho co-operation of Parliament in obtaining ft grant to reimburse the Farmers' Union for. all moneys spent on such freights. It is estimated that ono truck a week will bo required to cope with the supplies offering from country districts. In addition, several fanners have intimated their willingness to despatch supplies free of charge in their own motor-trucks; in othor. cases tho Farmers' Union is asked to supply petrol. The Farmers' Union guarantees that all free supplies of foodstuffs offered under the scheme will reach a reliable destination and will bo distributed to bona fide distressed families. The selection of urgent cases is in the hands of the Social Workers' Association, which has' an efficient organisation for preventing. overlapping. Under its system, no relief can bo given to any family not listed in its card index. It is the intention of the Farmers' Union to maintain a thorough organisation of relief, in conjunction with this association, as long, as. the necessity exists in Auckland.

Regular supplies of food have been promised by country districts for the next fow months. For example, a truck containing eight tons of meat and mixed produce is due from To Awamutu next Thursday, 18 head of cattlo are expected from Awakeri on July 24 and another truckload of meat and produce will come from the Waikato on July 30. Social workers stated yesterday that thte promiso of these supplies comes as a godsend in the middle of winter, and will bring much-needed aid to hundreds of poor and deserving men, women and children.