EX-PRISONERS’ AID.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18807, 1 December 1932, Page 9

EX-PRISONERS’ AID.

• I • SOOIETY’B WORK REVIEWED. EMPLOYMENT DIFFICULTIES. “ The difficulty of finding employment for men has increased out of ail knowledge, hut it is comparatively 1 easy, to get them into relief camps,” | stated Mr T. P. Mills, secretary of the | Wellington Discharged Prisoners’ Aid Society at the annual meeting. "There I is also a greater permanency than I there was, and the camps have imI proved.” | The annual report stoted that comi pared with last year more than 100 j persons had received practical assistj once, 120 more beds were supplied, 500 more meals wove given and twice j tho number of families assisted. This had been made possible by the reduced cost of living, the charges for the principal Items of expense, meals and hods having gradually dropped 50 per cent. The receipts for the year totalled £2ll and tho expenses £295, a draw on the Savings Bank deposit partly meeting the deficiency. The ex-prisoner generally appreciated tho society’s efforts, although many would like more liberal assistant Ilian It was able to give. " Tho problem of employment is, however. Hie. gravest, trouble,” the report stated. “There, is a distinct objection among single men to go to relief camos, their reasons, and to them

cogent ones, being the lack of facilit- * ies in obtaining permanent employ- | ment elsewhere, and the low wages paid. Some have tried the camps, and it is hut rare that there is any dissatisfaction expressed. The relief camps, too, give Iho cx-prisoner a good opportunity to rehabilitate himself, as he Is able after a while lo go to other districts like any other man and commence life afresh.”