THE RELIEF DEPOTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21544, 16 January 1932, Page 12

THE RELIEF DEPOTS

TO THE EDITOB. Sir, —The activities of our relief depot, which has issued this week nearly 1100 relief parcels, leaves me little time for newspaper correspondence, especially in reply to those who write anonymously. Two letters in to-day’s Daily Times, however, seemed to demand that the position of the two depots now should be fully and, I hope, finally explained. Let me definitely emphasise that there is neither antagonism nor rivalry between the Citizens’ Depot and that of the Hospital Board. On the contrary, we are in closest touch and accord. The Dowling street depot has its definite and single purpose—the issuing of relief to the relief workers on their stand-down week only. The Octagon depot assists all the rest—relief workers whose earnings need supplementing, single men and women, those too young or too old to be eligible for relief work; in fact, anyone and everyone who is hungry or in need. Our slogan is, “ No one need go hungry while we have the wherewithal to supply their need.” The Dowling street depot has the Hospital Board behind it with its financial resources, and behind it again is the backing of the Government. The citizens’ depot is entirely dependent, though its, task is infinitely greater, upon the generosity of the citizens. Is there anything unfair, then, in suggesting that donations of goods and cash should be sent to the Octagon? c l would like to state that a trust account in the joint names of the supervisor and secretary of the committee has been opened at the National Bank. It is my intention to ask for the appointment of an auditor at our next committee meeting, and the books are open at any time to inspection by any contributor to our funds. We have had one or two generous donations. May I appeal to some of our well-to-do citizens to help in this respect? A substantial balance behind us will enable us to purchase lines which are essential in every relief parcel such as tea, sugar, and butter, for which we cannot continually levy on the trading community. We anticipate that our depot will be required until the end of 'November. It is a tremendous task that is ahead, but we dare not shrink from it.—l am, etc., J. H. Hinton, Supervisor, Citizens’ Relief Depot.