MANY SEEK RELIEF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21164, 22 April 1932, Page 10

MANY SEEK RELIEF.

RUSH TO HOSPITAL BOARD. STRIKERS GIVEN ASSISTANCE. SOME CASES NOT GENUINE. There was an abnormal rush on the Hospital Board offices yesterday for distress relief, 800 applications for sustenance being received during tho day. The staff had an exceedingly trying time, working overtime in an endeavour to copo with tho crowds that pressed round the doors.

Numbers of those who were granted relief were unemployed workers on strike. Several of them asked the officials for their "strike allowance." In every case in which hardship was proved, sustenance was granted, as tho Hospital Board considers it has no authority to withhold relief because a relief worker declines to accept work. "I feel sure that if the Mayor's offer of work had been fully accepted wo would not have had nearly as many applicants," said the chairman of tho Relief Committee, Mr. W. K. Howitt. "Under the law we cannot refuse assistance to any person in need, but what stands out at the present time is that we are obliged to help men who ?ro refusing work."

Mr. Ilowitt said a large number of applications was expected yesterday, as it was the "stand-down" period for a great many men, but far too many others crowded in. Much timo was wasted investigating the cases of men who had no real claim on the board for relief. As it was the board's policy to deal with each case on its merits, these applicants were questioned as to their bona fides, and tho process sometimes occupied a considerable time. Some of tho men declined to disclose what they were earning, and others, who definitely stated they were penniless, were proved to have received either wages or charity during the week. Several men complained loudly concerning tho amount of sustenance offered them. Such cases gave endless trouble to the staff and hindered tho distribution of relief to genuine applicants.

The Auckland Provincial Unemployed Workers' Association has forwarded to tho Hospital Board a letter asking that relief orders be posted to 20 addresses, which were given. The association recommended tho cases as genuine, and stated that as tho persons concerned were busily occupied at tho Trades Hall on unemployment business they were unable to make personal application to the board's offices.

A reply is being forwarded to the association pointing out that as the board grants relief only after each caso has been dealt with on its merits, application must bo made personally to tho relief officers. An acknowledgment has been x-eceived from tho Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, of the telegram sent by the chairman of the Hospital Board, Mr. W. Wallace, demanding that the Government should supply the necessary funds to relieve distress in Auckland. Mr. Forbes states that he is confernng with tho Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister in charge of Unemployment, with regard to the representations.