LESS DISTRESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22435, 3 June 1936, Page 14

LESS DISTRESS

IMPBO'VEMENT IN, CITY FEWER CALLS FOR RELIEF EXPERIENCE OF COMMITTEE MORE CLOTHING NEEDED The feeling thai; there is less distress, in the city to-day than was apparent at the beginning of last winter is shared by social workers and others who take a prominent part in helping those whose standard of living has been lowered during the depression. The position wasi discussed at a meeting of the executive committee of the Auckland Metropolitan Unemployment Relief yesterday, when the chairman, Mr. Ernest Davis, asked members whether the distress in the city was comparable to that of last year. Monsignor Holbrook said he thought distress had decreased considerably since last year. The sub-committee of the organisation dealing with general distress had last year found it necessarj to meet on three days each week to keep pace with the work, whereas they were now meeting for part of one day only and were able t.o deal with all applications.

A Better Tone Mr. R. Ferner, Mayor of Mount Albert, said there was still work to do in his area, but they were more concerned now with the bona fides of some of the applicants arid were able to make a more searching inquiry into the applicants' circumstances. It was stated by the Rev. T. Halliday that he was sure the social workeni would agree that there was a better tono in the city. With improving conditions the social workers would be glad to get back to their own work, which concerned the very poor, widows ancl others who always needed help. There was definitely a feeling that things were brighter. The great need of the distressed to-day was clothing as after three or four years on relief or sustenance families found themselves very short of suitable clothing and blankets.

Drive for Clothes Mr. Davis: I will see the member,'} of the Commercial Travellers' Association and ask them to organise a drive for clothing to meet that need. Their efforts in the past have been very successful.

Mr. Halliday said that if clothing and blankets could be obtained for distribution' the position of recipients of relief would be much better than last year as the increased rates for relief ami sustenance were now in force.

Agreeing that the situation was much improved, the Mayor of Mount Eden, Mr. T. McNab, haid that in his district the committee was spending most of its allocation on shoes for children and on coal.

Members agreed with the chairman that there were still many necessitous cases deserving attention. These will have consideration and assistance at the hands of the district committers affiliated to the main committee.