CASES OF DISTRESS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16704, 23 July 1928, Page 10

CASES OF DISTRESS

POSITION IN INVEBCABCULL (Per l'ross Association.) INVEROAIIGILL, last night, Saturday morning saw great activity at the Labor Hall, where preparations were being made for the opening of lnvereargill's first soup kitchen, in order to give some relief to those feeling the pinch through unemployment. One room presented the appearance of a large drapery store, tho floor and walls being covered with clothing of every description, while in the kitchen, at the rear of the hall, piles of bread, both in loaves and in slices, pots of jam, cases of apples, and sundiy other goods were piled. Two large copper boilers wore filled with about 16 gallons ol BQUp, which was ladled out to about 70 persons, some 40 of whom were children. The establishment of the soup kitchen was brought about by tho officials of the Labor Hull. According to tho secretary of the .Southland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, however, there is no need whatever for it. He says he hardly believes that there- is one instance of a family in Invcrcargill having to go hungry, and states that "any genuine cases of distress are relieved by the board when application is made. He considers that the action of those responsible for the establishment of the soup kitchen was quite unwarranted. A prominent Invcrcargill business man states that tho establishment of tho soup kitchen is purely a. Labor Party gesture.