LESS DISTRESS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13283, 15 June 1936, Page 2

LESS DISTRESS.

AUCKLAND IMPROVEMENT. FEWEK CALLS FOR RELIEF. The feeling that there Is less distress in Auckland 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 lias been lowered during the depression (states the New Zealand iJeraldf. The position was discussed at a meeting of the executive committee of the Auckland Metropolitan Unemployment Relief Committee recently, when the chairman, Mr Ernest I>avis, 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 subcommittee of the organisation dealing with general distress had last year found it necessary to meet on three days each week to keep jiace with the work., whereas they were now meeting for part of one day only and were able to deal with all applications.

A BETTER TONE. Mr R. Ferncr, Mayor of Mount Albert, said there was still work to do in his area, but they were more concerned now with the bona tides of some of the applicants and were a bl e to make a more, searching inquiry into the applicants’ circumstances. It was stated by the Rev. T. Halliday that he was sure the social workers would agree that there was a better tone 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 and others who always needed help. There was definitely a. feeling £ha€ things were brighter. The great need of the distressed to-day was clothing, as alter three or four years on relief or sustenance families found themselves very short of suitable clothing and blankets. Mr Davis.l will see the members 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 recim- < nts of relief would be much better than last year as the increased rates for relief and sustenance were now i n force.

Agreeing that the situation was much improved, the Mayor of Mount

Eden, Mr F. M'Nab, said 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 «k*serving attention. f hose will have consideration and assistance at the hands of the d’strict committees affiliated to the main committee.