RELIEF OF DISTRESS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 141, 17 June 1931, Page 6

RELIEF OF DISTRESS

CENTRAL COMMITTEE FORMED A POLICY OF CO-ORDINATION. A scheme for the alleviation of di« tress during the period of suspension uf the Unemployment Board's relief measures was initiated by the Aluyur of Wanganui (Air N. G. Armstrong; at a meeting of local body representatives and delegates from social and charitub 1 institutions held yesterday. The proposals contemplated a comprehensive of the city aud two neighbouring counties, and -» coordination of the activities of the many bodies interested. ’The Alayor presided and intimated that a suggestion ha<’ been made through the Hon. W. A. Veitch to the Government that the No. 5 .Scheme be extended for a week. Mr Veitch bad replied, after consultation with the Minister of Labour (Hun. 8. G. Smith', that, for the reasons given by the Prime Alinister, it was regretted that this could not be done. “The object of this meeting,” Air Armstrong stated, “is to establish jue system of control and co-ordinate all the different schemes proposed.” His suggestion was that a Wanganui and district Relief Committc be formed ••inbracing the city and the two counties of Wanganui ami Waitotara. A question to be decided was whether the best pla* would be to deliver food from door to door or to establish depots -r various parts of the town. Regarding the single men who had no dependcut? his own idea was that farmers mignt be found who be willing to take them for their keep for the time being. It that could be arranged and tho men did not take the work then they should no*' get relief. In cases where sin de men had dependents, those dependents could very well be provided for under the relief scheme while the men were away in the country. “I do think it essential,” Sir Armstrong continued, “that there should bt one control right through. If all thess institutions, the St. Vincent de Pau Society, the Y.M.C.A., th- Women’. Division and so on can be centred in one committee it will be far better. 1 am not too clear as to the position of tho Charitable Aid Board—whether it could co-operate and bring its fundi into a central scheme. Whatever the position is we must have close co-opera-tion with that Board. There are betv.en (00 and 800 unemployed registered at the Labour Office and, my idea is that we should start from that and, as the fresh unemployed come along get them to register with the Labour Department.”

Ihe meeting unanimously approved ot the Mayor’s motion to set up a Wanganui and District General Unemployment Relief Committee. Mr E. W. E. Gohns, chief officer of the Wanganui Labour Department, indicated that the meeting could expect every assistance from his department. Regarding the activities of the Charitable Aid Board, the chairman of that body (Mr W. E. Broderick) reminded the meeting that it was a semi-Govern-meat organisation and before anv scleme embracing the board in (he activities proposed could function permission would have to be given bv the Minister of Health. Personally, ne was in favour of the Minister being approached. The Board would accord every assistance it possibly could. Ho pointed out that two-thirds of the demands on charitable aid resulted from unemployment even when the Government schemes were in operation. lu April last the Board had expended i-188 and in May £648. Of 35 new cases of distress registered, 24 were caused through unemployment. If matters went on the Board would have no funds. It had estimated to spend £601)0 this year and had expended £lO,OOO last. It looked as though the amount this year would be £20,000 nefor, the linish. On the Mayor’s motion the followingcommittee was set up with power to add: Alessrs W. E. Broderick, C W Poynter and Mrs J. Siddclls (Hospital Board), W. Morrison and J. Cameron (Waitotara County), D. Maekiiitosh and W. Craig (Wanganui County), Mrs Wickham (Welfare Department), Captain Maxwell, Mr P. H. Hartlaud, Captain Hawkes, Revs Hoare, King Goring, Cox, Biachi, Councillors Cyme’s an.’ Halligan, T. Currie (Farmers’ Lnion), H. C. Jenkins, Mrs Christie (Nursing League), Airs Marshall (Red Cross and Toe H.), Mr J. Carmody (St. Vincent de Paul Society), Airs Hair and Airs John McMillan (Y.M.C.A.) It was decided that distribution depots be established in different suburbs. The Alayor intimated his intention to make an appeal to everv section of the community to render as! sistunce—-food, clothing and money. Captain D. T. Maxwell said that La had approached headquarters of the Defence Department for the use of the Drill Hall and he would allow that to be used as a depot in tho meantime I pending a reply. " The Alayor said that the halls at VVaiiganut East, Gonville and Castleclitt could be used as depots and that would save expense. Me T. Dix (Waitutara County; and Mr D. Mackintosh (Vanganui County; said that their iespective counties would be willing t 0 allow a lorry to be used to convey prouuc tc the centre. * Mr A T. Cavell wanted to kuow mmlT ‘,'h h “ ttnce ' va ’ t 0 como from to enable the organtsation to function He thought tho New Plymouth wuereby men had been kept ,□ em . ployment before the introduct.on of “ 9 gat' d""” 1 ’" 1 Sth< ' n,c "- sbould be investi--'li A J„ Halligan also stressed the fitiaucial aspoct and considered that as was a time o f , elf BacHf of^^z: u u^ d h,s -h). as a basi , 0 „ -‘j ll^t r m:; t u, ?e CB^ d kc , d hat to ,be Ka "' trucks of stock from th? <X ’ n ' t ’ J ' freight free to the centre tha' it would be possible , ? Ba,cl fieie.lt to fill a at . ? CCt BU ‘ along tho line. St certain points. Die was appointed: The Ala Tor (.Mr ’• Annstton), Captain Alaxwell, Cr. 1'.,? ’? eV \, G " ring ’ an ‘ l A lr H. C. ■ienkms. The Mayor is , o be , bo hl . aiJ or the general committee.