“POUND SCHEME” RESUMED

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1932, Page 9

“POUND SCHEME” RESUMED

SUPPLIES FOR INDIGENT FAMILIES SUPPORT OF PUBLIC MEETING. The “pound scheme” inaugurated' in New Plymouth last year by the National Council of Women is to be continued this winter and developed. That decision was arrived at at a meeting called by the Mayor last night. The attendance was representative of about 20 organisations in the town, and support was promised for the effort, the object of which is to collect food and clothing for distribution among families in necessitous circumstances To the Nation.-.l Council of Women has again been deputed the main task of organising, with the assistance of ' the various bodies represented last night. A depot, in charge of a woman, is to be established in the centre of the town for the receipt and sorting of the articles. These will be distributed through the Relief Association. At the conclusion of the meeting private persons present and delegates, on behalf of their organisations, made themselves responsible for obtaining the names of over 250 families willing to contribute to the scheme weekly. The Mayor (Mr. H. V. S. Griffiths), who presided, said that with the approach of winter there was a real need in the town to-make adequate provision for the supply of the. ordinary necessities of life to families in distress. He had convened the meeting after consultation with the several organisations in touch with families in need. It was felt that efforts should be unified and that a central depot should be established. Last year the pound scheme had been responsible for a great deal of good being done in end around'New Plymouth, and it was- believed this scheme could be extended with beneficial results.

The central depot would be- in charge of a woman qualified for the: work and able to give her whole time to it. She could not only receive and prepare gifts for distribution, but could also deal with the matter in a systematic manner. The unemployment committee was applying to Wellington for funds for the payment of tho woman-in charge. .It would probably need. a special dispensation, but the committee was satisfied the money could be found. The New Plymouth Harbour Board had made available for the depot a room in the old soldiers’ club in King Street. Miss E. Andrews, who was responsible for the institution of the pound scheme lest year, said that it should be extended. She was sure that even if half the households in the town supported the scheme there would be no need for one family in the town to go hungry. Last year the National Council of Women had regretted that it had been- unable to distribute the full rations required to families during “stand down weeks?’ It was felt that the scheme should be placed on a civic basis and that the Borough Council should be associated with the movement, and the Hospital Board, too. The Council of Women suggested both men and women should get their friends to promise a pound of provisions each week and that these should be again collected at the schools on Fridays. If a list of townspeople able and willing to give were made out it might be possible for children to call at the houses if the gifts could not be left at the schools.

Discarded garments were also required, and these could be renovated by the woman during her spare time at the depot. The “pound scheme” would act merely as a “feeder” to the Relief' Association, which would undertake the distribution. On behalf of the Carriers’ Association Mr. Pitt promised practical support similar to that given last year. He asked, however, that if convenient the collecting day should be changed from Friday, which, being market day, was a busy one for the carriers. ,

The Carriers’ Association was accorded . the thanks of the meeting and the suggestion about changing the collection day was noted.

Adjutant Green said that‘an Australian town in which he had been stationed adopted with success a scheme of blocking out the town and canvassing it with unemployed men not suited for pick and shovel work. He suggested the adoption of a similar scheme in New Plymouth. It was pointed out, however, that this scheme might mean that families approached for contributions but unable to- <dve would feel hurt at having to refuse.

Adjutant Green said that in the town he was speaking of the system resulted in those families themselves being subsequently helped. The adjutant’s suggestion was referred to the Council bf Women- for consideration.

Mr. R.- J. Deare said there was a special need for clothing, footwear and blankets.

The chairman agreed that boots were required by relief - workers ' urgently, as their w-ork was hard on footwear. He suggested a boot drive.

Mr. A. Dunkley said the Commercial Travellers’ Association would undertake to make a drive for footwear and clothing’ of all kinds. It was stated that the scheme .would probably be in operation within a fortnight.