DESTITUTE IN LONDON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 244, 15 October 1931, Page 7

DESTITUTE IN LONDON

PLIGHT OF AUSTRALIANS MANY HUNDREDS STRANDED LONDON, Oct. 8. The position of destitute Australians in London has become desperate. Asked what relief funds Australia House had available the High Commissioner, Sir Granville Ryrie, replied: ‘‘There is not a shilling.” Australia House ha always done everything possible for distressed Australians, including recommending them to British relief depots and sending them to shipping offices for jobs. The staff has frequently subscribed from its own pockets. But the recent worsening of Britain’s internal position means that practically no help is available for stranded Australians, who probably number several hundred.

It is impossible to work passages to Australia. Two Australians who sought jobs in a ship were told that the entire crew consisted of men holding at least first mates’ tickets.

British food relief depots are so crowded that it is impossible to continue to help Australians. It seems that, in view of the approach of winter, the time has arrived for financial assistance from Australia to supply food ana clothing or constitute a basis for & repatriation fund.