POUND SCHEME CEASES

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1934, Page 7

POUND SCHEME CEASES

HELP FOR RELIEF WORKERS.

FOOD FOR FAMILIES IN NEED.

After operating this year for 17 weeks during which it distributed 3228 parcels containing 17 tons scwt of food, the pound scheme at New Plymouth has closed, the last distribution having been made on Friday. It had been found necessary to discontinue the issue owing to lack of funds, said Captain A. Chandler to a reporter yesterday. The Christmas distribution of parcels would be made, however, he added. Capatin Chandler, who is chairman of the pound scheme committee of the Mayor’s Relief Council, recalled that the original appeal to the public was for provisions for 13 weeks. The committee carried on for four weeks beyond that at a cost of £35 a week to the relief council. He pointed out that whereas last year the scheme was carried on till Christmas and was confined to 200 relief workers’ families considered to-be in more urgent need of such help, this year its scope had been widened to include about 450 families. Thus the resources had been more rapidly exhausted. Each parcel distributed contained portions of sugar, flour, butter, rice, oatmeal, sago and syrup, the total retail value being 5s 3d. Members of the public responded very well to the appeal this year. The method of collecting contributions was altered so that they were made through the grocers, instead of the schools. This proved a much better plan. Captain Chandler expressed appreciation of the grocers’ services in this connection. When the scheme was resuscitated this year all the relief workers were notified that they had the privilege of collecting a parcel. About 95 per cent, took advantage of the offer and most of them expressed gratitude for the work of the committee and the generosity of the contributing public.