SOCIAL WELFARE GUILD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16542, 28 September 1921, Page 9

SOCIAL WELFARE GUILD.

The Social AA'elfare Guild met on Friday afternoon. The president, Mrs H. F. Herbert, presided. Reports were received from the various workers, all of whom have been kept very busy either sewing, collecting or visiting. The work of ihc guild has been very heavy, owing to so many families being in distress through unemploj--merit and sickness. Members of the guild have been very successful in finding employment, but there are still several needing work. The housing problem is still as acute as ever if not worse. Mrs Herbert reported that there are several families homeless, while dozens of families are terriblv overcrowded. Many others have an order of the Court to be out of the house by a certain date, and they have no prospects whatever of getting a home. The effect on the health of the mother is very bad indeed. Many women, if not already ill, are on the verge of a nervous collapse. Especially in the case of expectant mothers is the position terrible, for they have in many cases besides the housing problem the unemployment position as well. Xn such cases the guild can only relieve the position by clothing the children and giving, relief until employment is found. An offer from a joint committee of the AV omen’s Club and the Christian Union of Canterbury College to organise sewing afternoons for the Social Welfare

Guild was gratefully received. It was decided to hold a big jumble' sale in about three weeks’ time to raise funds for the guild.