WINTER RELIEF.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20283, 18 April 1934, Page 12

WINTER RELIEF.

Progress League’s Drive for Funds. PLANS TO ASSIST NEEDY. That distress in Christchurch will be more acute in the coming winter than previously, was impressed on one hundred citizens who attended a public meeting held in the City Council Chambers yesterday afternoon, when an appeal was made by the Canterbury Progress League for cooperation in an effort to meet the problem. Those present responded by carrying a resolution that they were prepared to give their services to the league when called on. There was one dissentient to the resolution. The Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) presided. In addressing the meeting, Mr Sullivan stated that this winter the Progress League had consented to take up the work that was done last year by the Business Men’s Committee, and he thanked the league for coming forward at a time when organisation in the relief of distress was needed more than ever. Last year the sum of £25,000 aimed at had not been raised, but a very large amount of money had been collected. With this a great deal was able to be done. Unfortunately, the problem of the relief of distress still rested upon the city and had to be faced. Double Allocation Needed. “ The Maj-or’s Fund may net be able to see the winter through by a long way,” said Mr available each week. £175 is paid to the Metropolitan Relief Association, and the remainder to subsidiary relief services such as the Mayoress’s fund for the provision of baby clothes where mothers are in necessitous circumstances. It will probably be necessary to double the allocation in the coming winter. The Mayor added that a special effort would be made to provide a daily ration of milk to undernourished children attending the schools. It was estimated that there were 1000 children in the metropolitan area who were in an undernourished state, and the provision of a ration of milk each day would greatly assist their health. Ways and Means. The president of the Canterbury Progress League (Mr C. Flavell) said that, having decided to undertake the raising of funds, the league had considered ways and means by which the best results could be achieved. The league had concluded that the system used last year by the Business Men’s Committee was the best. The league also felt that it could not undertake a task of such a huge dimension without the co-operation of public-spirited citizens, with whose assistance a committee could be formed to launch the appeal. The league considered that it was not in the best interests of the distressed people to ask them to stand in queues to receive their rations, and for this reason it favoured the distribution of relief by the coupon system. Mr George Harper said that it was anticipated by the Metropolitan Relief Association, which, after four years, knew something of the problem, that there would be no let-up this year. “ You may be sure,” said Mr Harper, “ that the same amount of relief that was necessary last year will be needed this year and probably more. Whatever may be the outcome of this meeting, and whatever scheme may be adopted, the Metropolitan Association will do all it can in support.” State of Poverty. “It does seem hard that butter should be called a luxury,” said the Rev P. C. Revell, “ but it shows the state of poverty that exists and the need there is for a continuation of the efforts towards relief.” Mr A. E. Armstrong suggested that the Government be asked to disburse the £4,500,000 in the Unemployment Fund for the purpose of providing relief. He proceeded to urge that the time was ripe for a militant drive to be organised with a view to compelling the Government to distribute the fund in a democratic manner. At this point he was called to order by the Mayor, who said that he would not permit controversial subjects to be discussed. On the motion of Mr Sullivan, it was resofved that those present were prepared to offer their services to the Progress League when called on.