DISTRESS IN CITIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22149, 1 July 1935, Page 12

DISTRESS IN CITIES

EXISTENCE INEXCUSABLE FARMERS PROMISE SUPPORT [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] TAURAXGA, Saturday Reference to distress in Auckland was made at a meeting of the Bay of Plenty sub-provincial executive of the Farmers' Union at Tauranga. Mr. A. E. Martin presided. The question was brought before the meeting in a manifesto issued by ten Anglican clergymen in Auckland, directing attention to poverty in the city and urgiug the immediate inception of a constructive programme to deal effectively and permanently with the relief of the distressing conditions of malnutrition and poor housing in Auckland. As a result of the discussion the meeting passed resolutions complimenting the ministers upon their public stand in condemning unnecessary poverty in Auckland and assuring them the support of the union in any further action they might take. A further resolution carried was as follows: —"There is no excuse for the possibility of an allegation that starvation exists in such a wealthy primary producing country as New Zealand, and that, as there is satisfactory evidence that starvation exists forthcoming from the medical profession and from ministers of religion, it is the duty of the State to see that the surplus of the country is available to prevent any citizens being destitute or subject to hardship. It was decided to forward copies of the resolution to the acting-Prime Minister, the Minister of Health and the Minister of Internal Affairs.

AUCKLAND MANIFESTO SUPPORT OF CHURCHES A resolution endorsing the action of the Rev. A. J. Greenwood, vicar of St. Alban's Church, Dominion Road, in signing a manifesto emphasising the ill results of existing social relief measures, was carried unanimously by the congregation at last evening's service. The text of the manifesto, which was addressed to "men of goodwill," and issued by a number of Anglican churchmen of Auckland, was published in last ' Tuesday's Herald. Similar action was* taken by the congregations of St.' Matthew's Church and the Church of the Epiphany, Newton.