POVERTY AT CHRISTMAS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 858, 30 December 1929, Page 8

POVERTY AT CHRISTMAS

Sir,—~ ~ There is something wrong with a social system which permits a, state of things to exist such as was revealed‘ in The Sun’s report on Friday of a court case at Auckland, in which '4. 11‘1an was revealed to have lived by the pickings from refuse bins. IVlany people will sneer in their unsympathetic way and say that there is work‘ to be found for those who are genu-i inely seeking it. But here is a man‘ 57 years of age who is unable to get! work or shelter, and who has to‘ sustain himself upon other people’s; refuse. Even the chief-detective had‘ a soft spot for the man mentioned in this ease. It is a. sin against all forms of decency, in a. country with the comparative prosperity enjoyed by New" Zeal-and, that a. man who is unable to live by any other means—and who would rather pick garbage than steal —hns to be dragged before the magis- ; trate and branded a. criminal. Where is the advancement ‘of which New Zealamders so proudly boast to their‘ overseas friends? XVhere is the social legislation with which this country was supposed to have led the World? “'here is the benefit which we were supposed to have gained by our experience in Watching the mistakes of older countries? Sir, it is a. 'crime in itself that there is no provision for such a. state as this. In the midst of our prosperity there is great poverty. It is shown every day in little ways. And for every r-ase that is brought to light, half a. dozen are suffered in,secret. XVhy make criminals of men who are down and out? I think the happiest New Year resolution which the Government could make would be to put into effect

some 'of the extravagant prom ises made before the election, and to clean up some of this distress. They said they could do it. Let them do it. WORKER.