WORST SINCE 1922

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16339, 13 May 1927, Page 7

WORST SINCE 1922

CHRISTCHURCH DISTRESS SOCIAL WORKERS’ VIEWS (Special to {he Herald.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. Stating that the distress in the city at the present time is the worst she has ever known for so early in the winter, Nurse Maude, one of the best-known social workers in Christchurch, expressed an opinion that a central relief depot should be opened immediately. Instancing the class of case she is now being called upon to help, Nurse Maud mentioned that last night she gave food to a family who did not have a bite to eat in the house. These people had been too late to obtain relief that day from the Hospital Board, and they were starving when she was appealed to for help.

“The indications are that we are in for the worst winter we have had since 1922," said Air. E. B. Owen, a prominent worker in connetcion with the unemployment fund, when asked whether many cases of extreme distress had come under his notice late-

ly He added that a large number of the men who were unemployed were getting to the end of their tether. They had been able to hold out for some weeks with the money they had earned at harvesting and casual jobs, but could not stand the strain much longer. There was a need for immediate action to relieve the position. One fact t that he had been rather struck with, said Air. Owen, was that what he termed the "professional cadging element." had not been near him this year. All those who had called upon him ns clearly as he could .judge, were perfectly genuine. In fact, he would go so far as to say that AH per cent, of the cases that bad come under his notice were genuine, and the people, were a fine type of citizen.