MEAT POOL SUCCESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21141, 26 March 1932, Page 10

MEAT POOL SUCCESS.

CHEAP JOINTS AVAILABLE. UNEMPLOYMENT MEASURE. AID TO MANY FAMILIES. Tho meat pool inaugurated by the Labour Department in Auckland for the purpose of supplying cheap meat to the families of married men engaged in unemployment camps continues to give satis factory service. Since it was established Hie pool hns been responsible for (lie distribution ol 72 carcases of mutton to accredited recipients, and in every case the joint of meat procurable at minimum cost has proved a welcome addition to the larder of deserving families, lhe pool depot is open one day a week in premises occupied by tho boot pool in Commerce Street. Friday is tho usual day pf issue, but the meat was distributed on Thur.i- ---| ,| av this week, when 24 carcases were reI quired to moot tho demand, j When it was decided to send married j men to camps the ofHccrs of the department realised that the wives and families who remained behind would require some further assistance, and they conceived tho idea of making meat available to them at tho lowest possible price. An Auckland wholesale firm generously undertook to supply as many carcases of mutton as were I required at cost price, and with that assurance tho officers set about preparing the'depot. In their own time they erected tho necessary fixtures, even to a butcher's block, which they made from a number of thick wooden blocks donated with other timber by timber companies. A scale was required and this was provided by the inspector of weights and measures, who constructed it from spare parts which had accumulated in his office. Having made all the necessary arrangements the officers handed the scheme over to the Mayor, who secured a committee of social workers to conduct the pool. On the day of issue the wives of the absent married men, who have been provided with authority by the Labour Department, i visit the depot and buy their joint, the j price charged being por lb. I This supply of meat has been augmented ■ by fruit and vegetables which are given j awav free to the purchasers of meat. This additional service has been made possible by the Auckland Farmers' Union, which receives gifts of vegetables, fruit and other products of the farms of its members and other helpers. Thursday was the fourth day on which tho depot has been 1 in operation, and in previous weeks the gifts distributed have included butter, honey and tomatoes. This week the purchasers of meat received apples, beans, bananas, potatoes and swede turnips. Usually this extra gift is made up in mixed parcels of about 141b. weight. 11l us for Is it is possible for the recipients to get a leg of mutton and enough vegetables and fruit to last a week. In the case of large families the vegetable and fruit ration is increased. i