RELIEF CONDITIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 368, 9 March 1932, Page 8

RELIEF CONDITIONS.

! Presbytery will Meet Workers. CONFERENCE PROPOSED. A proposal that a joint conference of religious and secular bodies in the city should be held to discuss unemployment conditions, was favourably received by the Christchurch Presbytery tllis morning. The suggestion came in the form of a letter from the Canterbury Industrial Association of Workers, and was signed by the president (Mr G. T. Thurston) and the secretary (Mr J. Mathison). The Presbytery appointed two delegates to the conference, which will be held in April The letter stated that the council of the association had decided to call a conference in April, representatives of both religious and secular bodies being invited to attend, “to ascertain the best . means for overcoming the imposition of intolerable conditions that were undoubtedly' menacing the moral fabric of society*. “ Believing that y*our organisation is equally concerned about the present state of affairs, we take the liberty of inviting you to send two delegates to this conference,” continued the letter. Basis of Discussion. It was suggested that the following aspects of economic troubles should form the basis of discussion:—The conditions of assembly, wages, and social intercourse of men employed in relief camps!mrl™ trlCti ,°-" s placed on unemployed workeis seeking relief work by the Labour Department, through the Unemployment Board; the virtual abolition of industrial legislation which would permit the sweating- of labour of all agss and sex; or alternatively, continuous industrial strife in this country; the possibility of creating a vigilant committee to protect, and. if necessary, guide those afflicted by and through the above matters; the possibility of securing united action against the introduction of any measure that is likely to detrimental! I '- affect the people of New Zealand. The present is a time when all differences of opinion should be dropped, and a united effort made to remedy the terrible conditions under which our people are suffering,” said the letter, in conclusion. Support Merited. “We should support this social question and appoint representatives,” said the Rev J. Lawson Robinson. “The Presbyterian Church does not stand for any political party, but it can meet in common sympathy with those who are trying to do their part to make conditions better. We would be placing ourselves in a very invidious position it we took no action.” It was then moved that delegates should be appointed. The Rev R. Hepburn moved as an amendment that no action should be taken. The Rev J. Lawson Robinson moved that the Revs L. Rogers and Theo. Paterson should be the representatives of the Presbytery. The motion was carried.

MAYOR’S DISTRESS FUND

Offers of Assistance in Street Collection. Over eighty offers to assist in the street collection which is to be taken up on Friday, March 18, for the All Nations Fair and the Mayor’s Distress Fund were received this morning by Miss Niblock, the honorary secretary of the appeal. Miss Niblock said that it was very gratifying to receive so many additional offers of assistance, but a further 200 collectors were needed. It was obvious, she said, that the success of the collection would depend very' largely on the number of helpers, and a total of 500 collectors was aimed at. A splendid response had been received from the young men’s Bible classes in the city, and sixty girls who had offered to put the pins in the badges would make a start with this work to-night. In connection with the All Rations Fair, the organiser (Mr J. Moody) asks that those who have promised gifts of money or goods should forward them to the Town Clerk as early as possible.

SLEEPING ON WIRE.

Bedding and Prams Required for Needy. The case"of a family in distress having to sleep on a wire mattress covered with sacking was quoted by Mr J. W. Woodbury, officer in charge of the Central Relief Depot, this morning, in making an appeal for bedding. Mr Woodbury also asked for a perambulator for a woman with eight children, two of whom were infants. A kapoc mattress was wanted for a man on relief work.

“ We find in cases where people ask for furniture that before the difficult times set in they had been living in furnished rooms,” said Mr Woodbury'. “ Now they* have been forced to take houses at cheaper rentals, but unfortunately they' have not the necessary bedding and furniture.” He added that the depot's supplies last week were much below what they' should be. He

could not understand the falling off, particularly as the amount of distress was as bad as it had been at any time. He would like donations of ail classes of foodstuffs, especially sugar, tea, flour, oatmeal, rice, sago and baby foods. Several parcels of clothing had been received, but: about three dozen of men’s trousers were still needed. It was possible. that some city' firms had clothing which had gone out of fashion, and an appeal to them would prove fruitful. At all events he proposed to circularise business establishments to ascertain if they had clothing which had little, if any 'saleable value, but which would be very useful for distribution at the various depots. The Pound Scheme. It is now likely that the Pound Scheme, which assisted so greatly' last y'ear to provide for the needy of Christchurch, w'ill be revived in May or June next. This fact was mentioned this morning by' Mr J. W. Woodbury,

officer in charge of the Central Relief Depot. At a meeting of the Pound Scheme Committee last evening, it was decided to hold over the scheme until after the All Nations Fair has been held in April in aid of the Mayor’s Relief of Distress Fund. It was further agreed to assist the fair committee in every; way; possible,